Miss Universe Thailand defends ‘Special Dinner & Talk Show’ campaign: 'Our actions are fully within the rights'

Miss Universe Thailand (MUT) has issued an official statement following Miss Universe Organization's  (MUO) announcement stating the “Special Dinner & Talk Show” is unauthorized.

On Monday afternoon, MUT said that “as the officially licensed Host Organization, we hold the rights to manage and execute such promotional activities within our territory."

It added that the “Like” voting campaign on social media is an official part of the “marketing package authorized for the “Host Country" and explained that “the voting process is a fair and transparent selection method designed to determine which delegates will participate in specific activities among a large number of contestants.”

According to MUT, MUO’s earlier statement “has unfortunately led to public misunderstanding, despite the fact that our actions are fully within the rights and privileges granted to us as the official host.”

On Sunday, Miss Universe Thailand’s official social media pages posted about a “Special Dinner & Talk Show,” encouraging netizens to vote for Miss Universe candidates through Facebook and Instagram likes and shares. 

But the MUO slammed the "Special Dinner & Talk Show" event and said “such initiatives do not represent the values, operations, or official activities of the Miss Universe Organization.”

In its statement, the MUO added that “The Organization further declares that any promotional materials, contests, or voting initiatives currently circulating online under the Miss Universe name, including those associated with the aforementioned event, are unauthorized and misleading."

The drama surrounding the pageant precedes the global competition, which takes place in Bangkok for the most part of the month.

On Sunday, Philippine bet Ahtisa Manalo arrived in the Thai capital for the Miss Universe 2025 competition.

The beauty queen from Quezon Province is vying for the Philippines’ fifth Miss Universe crown. The coronation night will be held on November 21.

— Hermes Joy Tunac/LA, GMA Integrated News