Miss Universe Thailand’s Participation in Miss Universe 2026 at Risk

Miss Universe Thailand could miss the 2026 competition in Puerto Rico after a dispute between its leadership and the Miss Universe Organization.

The organization said on Sept. 4 that it was reviewing whether Miss Universe Thailand would take part in the 75th Miss Universe pageant, scheduled for November. It said its leadership was assessing the issue and reserving its rights, including the possibility of taking measures under the parties’ contractual rights and obligations.

The organization asked national directors, contestants and partners to await an official decision. It said it was focusing on preparations for the pageant’s 75th-anniversary edition.

The statement also rejected claims that more than 10 national directors had been denied access to, or removed from, a Sept. 2 meeting. More than 100 countries attended, the organization said. The only people excluded were Nawat Itsaragrisil, who leads MU East, and members of the Miss Universe Thailand team. The organization linked that decision to recent developments, including what it described as personal and unfounded attacks against the organization and its leadership.

Separately, producer and director Pham Duy Khanh said Nawat had appointed him manager of Miss Universe Vietnam 2026. Registration runs from Aug. 21 to Sept. 12 for Vietnamese women aged 18 to 35, with no marital-status restriction. Preliminary judging is scheduled for Sept. 13, and the final rounds are planned for Sept. 20 to Oct. 2. The winner will represent Vietnam at Miss Universe 2026 in Puerto Rico.