Background and Key Players
Nawat Itsaragrisil, the director of Miss Universe Thailand, found himself in hot water after publicly insulting Fátima Bosch, Mexico’s representative, during a pre-pageant event in Bangkok. The incident sparked outrage on social media and prompted Miss Universe’s owner, Mexican entrepreneur Raúl Rocha Cantú, to take action.
Raúl Rocha Cantú’s Response
Rocha Cantú condemned Nawat’s behavior, calling it a “public aggression.” He announced corporate and legal actions, reducing Nawat’s role in the pageant activities to a minimum or completely removing him. Rocha Cantú emphasized the importance of respect and hospitality towards all contestants:
“Nawat has forgotten the true meaning of being a genuine host,” Rocha stated in a video. “Being a host means serving, assisting, and ensuring all delegates from every country have a unique, amiable, and courteous experience. Every woman deserves respect. Fátima represents her country and herself, just like the over 120 other delegates.”
Nawat’s Public Apology
Amidst the controversy, Nawat offered a public apology during the welcome ceremony, visibly emotional. He claimed his actions were due to organizational pressure:
“I am human. The past few days have been stressful. I never intended to harm anyone,” he said, addressing the international delegates. “I respect all of you. If any of you felt uncomfortable, I sincerely apologize.”
However, his apology was met with mixed reactions. Videos of Rocha Cantú crying circulated on social media, with users suggesting that the apologies seemed “forced” and “strategic,” rather than a genuine act of responsibility.
The Incident with Fátima Bosch
The conflict began when Nawat interrupted Fátima Bosch during an official activity, demanding she hadn’t promoted Thailand’s tourism content on social media. Bosch attempted to respond, but Nawat dismissed her, calling her “silly” and accusing her of lying. The incident was recorded and caused global indignation.
Continuing Miss Universe Activities
Despite the controversy, Miss Universe 2025 activities continue. The contestants will stay in Thailand for 20 days, with planned visits to Phuket and Pattaya before the November 21 final.
Fátima Bosch remains in the competition and has garnered support from fellow contestants and international followers, solidifying her position as one of the most talked-about participants in this edition.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Nawat Itsaragrisil? Nawat Itsaragrisil is the director of Miss Universe Thailand.
- What happened between Nawat and Fátima Bosch? Nawat publicly insulted Fátima Bosch during a pre-pageant event in Bangkok, accusing her of not promoting Thailand’s tourism on social media.
- What actions did Raúl Rocha Cantú take? Rocha Cantú, the owner of Miss Universe, condemned Nawat’s behavior and announced corporate and legal actions, reducing Nawat’s role in the pageant activities.
- How has Fátima Bosch responded to the incident? Fátima Bosch has remained in the competition and received support from fellow contestants and international followers.
