- A young woman with wisdom beyond her years, Opal Suchata Chuangsri who aimed at Miss Universe’ 24, now reigns as Miss World 2025
- “Leadership begins with grace”- Miss World 2025
Opal Suchata Chunagsri: the 72nd Miss World and first-ever winner of the title from Thailand has one extraordinary story.
No, it isn’t only what her project for the pageant – her cancer survival experience alone that made her extraordinary, but also a bold decision she took that displayed courage and wisdom, of a young woman with wisdom beyond her years, that beautifully paid off.
Aged just 21, (born on September 20, 2003), 5 ft 11 in height with much elegance and purpose in her steps, Opal Suchata Chuangsri made history as the first Thai woman to be crowned Miss World, indeed a moment of pride for her nation. However few around the globe knew that with the announcement of her win, it was her steel like determination that led to a well calculated gamble she took within a time period less than 12 months that put paid to the glorious moment that altered her life forever.
What happened to Opal Suchata, Miss Thailand 2024 is the perfect example of how a courageous decision that can be perceived as negative can be the best positive for your life.
Childhood
At Miss Universe Pageant 2024
Suchata was born in Phuket province to parents Thanet Donkamnerd and Supatra Chuangsri. Her family runs a private business in Thalang, Phuket province. Suchata completed her primary and lower secondary education at Kajonkietsuksa School, and her upper secondary education at Triam Udom Suksa School, where she majored in Chinese under the Arts program.
Opal spent her childhood in Phuket, a beautiful coastal city. Her family is involved in hospitality, with both parents, operating a private hotel business in Thalang.
Prior to the beauty pageantry world, she was involved mainly in academia. Suchata has a bachelor’s degree in politics and International Relations at the Faculty of Political Science of Thammasat University. Having studied International Relations, with interests also in psychology and anthropology, Opal aspires to go into diplomacy and become an ambassador, a role she’s already begun to embody through her campaign, “Opal For Her.”
Beauty with a genuine cause
This, she launched at just 16 after her own experience with a benign breast lump. She had to go through surgery when she was 16 because of the 10-cm lump in her chest. After fully recovering, Opal became a voice for breast cancer awareness, the number one leading cancer for women around the world. The campaign promotes early detection of breast cancer and champion women’s health and empowerment.
Meanwhile Suchata Chuangsri working as a Thai model and possessing all the attributes required for beauty pageantry embarked on her mission to win a world crown for beauty by entering the MISS UNIVERSE, THAILAND 2024, therefore it was with the aim of being Miss Universe that she entered the competition in her first attempt at pageantry in 2024.
Crowned MISS UNIVERSE THAILAND 2024
Opal won the first phase of her dream when she was crowned as Miss Universe Thailand 2024. Opal captivated the judges and audience with her beauty, grace, and intelligence, securing her spot to represent Thailand at the 73rd Miss Universe competition in Mexico held last November.
Placed 3rd Runner up at MISS UNIVERSE 2024
Opal’s voice, one of compassion was heard. With the primary hurdle over, she proceeded to the Miss Universe pageant 2024 and on November 16, 2024, the date of the grand finale of Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico, she won the title of Miss Universe 3rd runner up. Ironically, reports also reveal that she was later promoted to second runner-up following the resignation of the original first runner-up, Nicolene Limsnukan
Bold decision
Despite having won a place in the prestigious Miss Universe, Opal took a bold decision to enter the Miss World Thailand 2025 contest and commenced preparations for that despite knowing that there will be obstacles along the way.
According to certain reports, probably Opal would have been content with the position given to her at Miss Universe, and remained there had it not been for some startling unfairness she faced perhaps. We yet do not know if that is all that triggered her to pursue her dream elsewhere. It has been reported that the Miss Universe Judges did not choose her as Miss Universe Asia despite her having reached the 3rd Runner up status. Instead they chose someone who is only amongst the Top 30 semi-finalists. These are unconfirmed reports, and news that does not state the side of the Miss Universe pageant organizers on the matter yet.
Irrespective of whatever the cause, one could easily see how much strength and faith she had in herself of being a potential winner at whatever the contest and the wisdom beyond her years when she made the bold decision to enter the MISS WORLD THAILAND 2025 contest, while yet holding the 3rd runner up title of the Miss Universe pageant,(later 2nd Runner Up Miss Universe 2024) and risking possibly losing it all, at that time!.
Crowned Miss World, Thailand 2025
But the cool, calm and composed Opal remained unmoved, stood her ground while headlines screamed the news. Undeterred, in the midst of turmoil, she triumphed when she won the first hurdle on her new path and was crowned Miss. World Thailand 2025 on April 22.
Crowned Miss Universe Thailand 2024
She was not to hear the end of it- there was going to be turmoil, – ; “We have made the difficult decision to withdraw the third runner-up title from the person who had been honored with it, due to the breach of her contractual obligations by participating in an external pageant.-;a public message from Miss Universe organizers said on April 22, 2025.
‘The Miss Universe Organisation (MUO) has officially removed Opal Suchata Chuangsri, Thailand’s representative and 3rd runner-up at Miss Universe 2024, from her title due to a breach of contract’. It revealed in the media on April 23, 2025.
Opal was unfazed and arrived at the 72nd Miss World Festival in Telangana representing Thailand proudly with a clear mission: to inspire, empower, and advocate for change, in addition to making friends and being inspired by others other Miss World participants. And she did just that.
In her acceptance speech, Opal expressed her gratitude to her family, friends, and supporters. She emphasized her commitment to using her platform to make a positive impact on society, particularly in advocating for mental health awareness and environmental conservation. “I believe that beauty is not just about appearance but about the strength and compassion we show to others.
I am honored to represent Thailand and will do my best to bring home the Miss Universe crown,” she said.
Crowned Miss World 2025
As destiny would have it, her bold decision transformed her life overnight.
Opal Suchata Chuangsri, representing Thailand, was CROWNED MISS WORLD 2025 on May 31, 2025, in Hyderabad, India. She now carries her mission while wearing the “blue crown”, fulfilling a dream the Thai people had held for 74 years and 72 editions of Miss World.
She edged out Ethiopia’s Hasset Dereje Admassu, who finished as the runner-up. For the ceremony, Chuangsri wore a white gown adorned with opal-like florals.
Opal no doubt stood out among the contestants with her poise and confidence. Her journey to the crown was marked by her dedication to various charitable causes and her commitment to empowering women through education and self-belief. Opal’s stunning looks and impressive stage presence made her a favorite from the beginning, but it was her eloquent answers during the Q&A round that truly set her apart.
Had she won the Miss Universe title, it would have been Thailand’s first Miss Universe win since Porntip Nakhirunkanok in 1988. However as Miss World she became the first ever to bring the crown to her homeland, Thailand.
She was crowned Miss World 2025 as the first Thai and second Southeast Asian to hold the title.
In addition to the main title as Miss Wolrd, Opal was the winner of the Multimedia Award and placed 2nd in Head to Head in Asia and Oceania.
Create a life that’s better for people around you
As Miss World, she has pledged to continue her mission, using the platform to expand her impact and support causes. . For her, success means “to live your life and to create a life that’s better for people around you as well.” Aside from her advocacy, Opal possesses a unique talent for playing the ukulele backwards and a love for her many pet dogs and cats.
Leadership begins with grace
Opal said she believes that leadership begins with grace, and that no matter your age or title, there is always someone who looks up to you, whether it’s a youth or even your own parents.
Her philosophy is simple yet profound: “Lead with the gracefulness in your actions. That is the best thing we can do for people around us and for our world.”
