MGI president Nawat Itsaragrisil set to organize Miss Universe Thailand for 5 years

Miss Grand International (MGI) president Nawat Itsaragrisil (L) and Miss Universe Organization CEO Anne Jakrajutatip. Photo from Miss Universe Thailand's Instagram

The announcement came during a press conference in Bangkok on Tuesday and was featured on the newly launched Miss Universe Thailand Instagram account.

Event photos depicted Itsaragrisil alongside Anne Jakrajutatip, CEO of the Miss Universe Organization, celebrating this milestone for Thai pageantry. The Instagram caption heralded: "A historic moment! The dawn of a new era for Thai pageantry begins!"

A subsequent video on the Instagram account featured Jakrajutatip congratulating Nawat and welcoming him to the Miss Universe Organization family. She praised him as "an esteemed leader who is respected and trusted and has demonstrated outstanding success at the level of a publicly listed company." She expressed her belief that the two beauty pageants would collaborate to "empower women" and "inspire people around the world."

Itsaragrisil’s involvement with Miss Universe Thailand ignited interest on Monday when he posted pictures in front of the Miss Universe signage, sparking online buzz, especially given his history of barring contestants who had participated in Miss Universe Thailand from competing in Miss Grand Thailand.

His criticism of the Miss Universe competition was also evident when, during the Miss Grand International 2022 opening video, an effect was created where the letters "MU," for Miss Universe, were dramatically removed from Earth and replaced with "MG" for Miss Grand.

Itsaragrisil, 53, is a Thai television host and producer. He founded MGI in 2013, a competition that has focused the pageant on humanitarian causes, with titleholders acting as spokespersons and participating in charity events to promote these campaigns during their reign.

Contestants are chosen by franchise holders in their countries or territories, through national competitions, internal casting, or direct selection.

Last year, MGI was embroiled in several controversies, including a dispute between Itsaragrisil and Myanmar’s MGI titleholder Thae Su Nyein and national director. This was followed by the withdrawal of MGI licenses by national directors from India, Honduras, and Indonesia.