“It was one of the greatest moments in my life,” Yim posted on her Facebook.
“I never though that an average girl like me would have many fans and that a crowd at Royal Paragon Hall would be calling out my name.
“I am very thankful to all the people involved in organizing the pageant, my makeup team and to all the fans who support me. Thank you for giving me such a great opportunity.”
Ananya “Anna” Nilsson, 21, also from Phuket, made the final 40 (see story here), but was not to reach any further in the international pageant.
“I thank everyone who supported me, and for their good advice, especially my family,” Anna said.
“I really appreciate making it to the final 40 contestants. I learned a lot and made many good contacts. This was a valuable experience.”
As 1st Runner Up, Yim received cash B500,000 cash, her runner-up tiara and sash and a host of prizes from sponsors.
Yim was second only to Aniporn Chalermburanawong, from Lampang, won the top prize as Miss Universe Thailand
Aniporn received B1 million baht cash, her winner’s tiara and sash and also a host of prizes from the pageant’s sponsors.
Chatchadaporn Kimakorn from Phichit was 2nd Runner Up, Anchalika Na Pathalung from Phatthalung was 3rd Runner Up and Ravinippa Hamid from Bangkok was 4th Runner Up.
The five will now carry out public awareness campaigns and highlight charitable projects in and around Thailand as part of their duties as Miss Universe Thailand winners.
But only Aniporn will go on to represent Thailand at the Miss Universe finals, for which the venue has yet to be announced, but reports are indicating that it might be held in Shanghai, China, in December.
Current Miss Universe 2014, 22-year-old Paulina Vega from Colombia, was crowned at the finals in Florida in January this year.
– Yonlaphat Boonsusakul