Honestly, the energy in Hyderabad this past May was something else. You could feel the tension in the air at the HITEX Exhibition Centre as the final seconds ticked down. When the announcement finally came, history didn't just knock on the door—it broke it down. Opal Suchata Chuangsri from Thailand was crowned Miss World 2025, and for the first time ever, the "Land of Smiles" took home the blue crown.
It was a big deal. Like, huge.
Thailand has been a powerhouse in the pageant world for years, but this specific title always seemed to slip through their fingers. Not this time. Opal, who is just 22 years old, managed to outshine 107 other contestants from across the globe. She wasn't just a favorite; she was a force. By the time Krystyna Pyszková of the Czech Republic placed that crown on her head, the crowd was basically in a frenzy.
Why the 72nd Edition Felt Different
The 72nd Miss World wasn't your typical ballroom affair. Held in India for the second year in a row—this time in the tech-heavy, culturally rich city of Hyderabad—the pageant felt more like a month-long festival than a one-night show. The contestants weren't just walking runways. They were visiting Buddhist stupas in Nagarjuna Sagar and walking the historic lanes of Laad Bazaar.
If you followed the "fast-track" events, you saw the momentum shifting early.
👉 See also: Olivia Rodrigo Metro Card: Why This Violet Piece of Plastic Is Actually a Big Deal
There’s this thing called the "Beauty With a Purpose" segment. It's the heart of the competition. While Opal was winning the Multimedia challenge, Monica Kezia Sembiring from Indonesia was busy winning the Beauty With a Purpose award for her social work. It’s these sub-competitions that really weed out who can handle the pressure before the final night even begins.
The Final Standings: Who Was Left?
When the field narrowed down to the Top 4, the diversity on stage was incredible. You had representation from every corner of the map. Here is how the final results shook out:
- Miss World 2025: Suchata Chuangsri (Thailand)
- 1st Runner-Up: Hasset Dereje Admassu (Ethiopia)
- 2nd Runner-Up: Maja Klajda (Poland)
- 3rd Runner-Up: Aurélie Joachim (Martinique)
Ethiopia’s Hasset Dereje Admassu was a massive standout. She was so poised and eloquent that many thought she might actually take it. She ended up as the first runner-up, which is the highest placement for Ethiopia in recent memory. Then you had Poland’s Maja Klajda and Martinique’s Aurélie Joachim rounding out that final elite group.
India's own Nandini Gupta had a lot of weight on her shoulders, especially with the pageant being on home turf. She made it into the Top 20 and was one of the "fast-track" winners in the Top Model segment, but her journey ended just before the Top 8. It was a bit of a heartbreak for the local fans, but she represented the country with a lot of grace.
💡 You might also like: Chris Brown In My Zone Songs: What Most People Get Wrong About These Tracks
More Than Just a Crown
People often ask why these pageants still matter. Well, if you look at Opal’s "Beauty With a Purpose" project, it focuses on breast cancer awareness—a cause deeply personal to her after she underwent surgery to remove a 10cm tumor from her breast at age 16. That’s not just "pageant talk." That’s real life.
The night itself was a spectacle. We had Bollywood stars Jacqueline Fernandez and Ishaan Khatter performing, which added that signature Indian flair. Even Sonu Sood showed up to receive a Humanitarian Award. But at the end of the day, it was about those 108 women and the grueling month they spent proving they were more than just a pretty face.
What Most People Got Wrong About the Results
There was a lot of chatter online about the "continental" winners. Basically, the pageant selects the best from each region before picking the final winner.
In the Asia & Oceania bracket, it was a toss-up between Thailand and the Philippines' Krishnah Gravidez. Krishnah was a massive fan favorite and actually made it to the Top 8. When Opal was chosen over her for the Top 4 spot, the internet sort of exploded. But Opal’s consistency across the Multimedia and Head-to-Head challenges gave her the edge that judges were looking for.
💡 You might also like: What Suits LA Episode 1 Actually Tells Us About the Ted Black Era
What’s Next for Opal?
Now that the confetti has settled, the real work starts. As Miss World 2025, Opal Suchata Chuangsri will spend the next year traveling the world to support various charitable projects. She’s already mentioned that she wants to use her platform to empower young women to take charge of their health.
If you're looking to follow her journey or see what the Miss World Organization is up to next, here are a few things to keep an eye on:
- Follow the Official Socials: The Miss World Instagram is where they post the day-to-day updates of Opal’s travels.
- Watch the Replay: If you missed the live stream, SonyLIV and the official Miss World YouTube channel have the highlights.
- Look for the 2026 Announcements: Word is already spreading about where the 73rd edition might be held. Stay tuned to official press releases for that.
The win for Thailand is a reminder that the "Big Four" pageants are becoming more unpredictable and global than ever. Opal didn't just win a title; she started a new chapter for her country on the world stage.