Pageant fanatics, rejoice! The Miss Universe 2018 contest will be held in Thailand on December 17.
At a press conference in Bangkok this afternoon, Miss Universe Organization president Paula Shugart confirmed the rumor — Thailand will host the highly-regarded pageant this year.
Apasra Hongsakula, who became the first Thai woman to win Miss Universe in 1965, also attended the press event, along with Miss Universe 2017 Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters and Miss Universe 2005 Natalie Glebova, the Canadian winner who has become a businesswoman in Thailand since she was crowned.
Considering the fact that Thais treat the Miss Universe contest as seriously as the Olympics, we have to predict that the pageant is going to be one of the biggest events in the country this year. After all, Thailand has only hosted the pageant twice — in 1992 and 2005. It’s about time.
READ: Thailand’s first Miss Universe of 1965 shocks world with recent pic
Tourism Minister Weerasak Kosurat expressed his confidence in Thailand’s ability to host the Miss Universe contestants.
While it has not yet been confirmed whether the contest will be held in Bangkok, the City of Angels is the destination the government is looking to promote during the event.