BANGKOK – The sparkle of the 74th Miss Universe pageant has given way to the stark setting of a Thai courtroom. In a move that has stunned many across the global pageant scene, Nawat Itsaragrisil, Chairman of the Miss Universe Thailand Host Committee and CEO of Miss Grand International (MGI), has lodged a criminal defamation complaint against the newly crowned Miss Universe, Fátima Bosch of Mexico.
The case, confirmed earlier this week, marks one of the lowest moments in the organisation’s history. For months, the 2025 Miss Universe season in Thailand has been surrounded by scandal, from police operations linked to illegal gambling sponsors to public fallouts among senior figures. The legal showdown between the reigning titleholder and the host chairman now feels like a complete collapse of the pageant’s much-promoted “Power of Love” theme.
The “Dumbhead” Dispute: Two Versions of One Incident
The complaint centres on a clash that happened on 4 November during a pre-pageant sashing ceremony in Bangkok. According to Nawat, the argument started when Bosch allegedly refused to take part in sponsor-related promotional events, saying she was following instructions from her national director in Mexico.
In the weeks that followed, Bosch allegedly spoke about the incident in several major television interviews, including a feature on ABC News’ Nightline. In those interviews, she said that Nawat had bullied and intimidated her. The most damaging part of her account, and the basis of the current lawsuit, is her claim that he called her a “dumbhead” in front of staff and other contestants.
Nawat, known for a direct and often strict leadership style, has hit back with what he calls proof in the form of digital recordings. At a press conference in Phuket, he said he had moved on personally, but the company could not ignore what he described as serious harm to its name. He insists that he never used the word “dumbhead” and that the word spoken was “damage”.
“I told her, ‘If you follow the order from your national director, you are damage’,” he explained. He said he was talking about reputational and contractual damage caused by missing duties and scheduled appearances, not about her intelligence.
“What I cannot accept is being accused of saying something I did not say,” he added. “The legal team reviewed the facts and chose to go ahead with the case.”
A Chaotic Season: Miss Universe Under Fire
The lawsuit is only one part of what many fans and commentators are calling the most disastrous Miss Universe season in recent memory. Since the contestants arrived in Thailand, the event has been hit by problems that have exhausted the patience of both Thai viewers and international supporters.
- The casino raid: In early November, Thai Metropolitan Police raided a central Bangkok hotel after reports that contestants were being asked to record promotional material for an illegal online gambling site. Nawat’s host committee quickly distanced itself from the scandal and pointed the finger at the Miss Universe Organization (MUO). Even so, images of officers removing branded pillows and filming equipment damaged the event’s image.
- The walkout: The confrontation between Nawat and Bosch was said to be so intense that several contestants, including outgoing Miss Universe Victoria Kjær Theilvig, allegedly left the room to show support for Bosch.
- Questions over stakeholders: The pageant has also faced questions about its co-owner, Raúl Rocha Cantú. Rumours about business links between Rocha and the Bosch family sparked claims of favouritism. Bosch has strongly denied this, calling it a “campaign of hate” against her.
All of this has left the competition under scrutiny, with fans debating how much of the drama is about personal conflict and how much is tied to deeper issues inside the Miss Universe structure.
Thai Defamation Law: High Stakes for Both Sides
In Thailand, criminal defamation is not a minor issue. Under Sections 326 to 328 of the Thai Penal Code, a guilty verdict can mean up to two years in prison and heavy fines. For a publicly listed company such as Miss Grand International, any hit to its reputation is treated as a serious business risk, not only a matter of pride.
Nawat’s lawyers claim that Bosch kept “misrepresenting the incident” even after recordings were shared that, they say, clearly show he used the word “damage”, not “dumbhead”. In a formal statement, Miss Universe Thailand alleged that Bosch used the controversy for “personal gain”, turning it into a story of overcoming adversity that strengthened her public image and helped her journey to the crown.
Despite the legal action, Nawat insists that there is no attempt to remove her title. “No one is trying to take her sash,” he said. “She is the queen. But a queen must be responsible for the truth. If you lie and defame others, that is not empowerment, it is a crime.”
His comments feed into a wider debate among fans about where empowerment ends, and defamation begins, especially when cameras and social media are involved at every step.
A Pageant Community Split Down the Middle
The global pageant community is sharply divided. Those who support Fátima Bosch view the lawsuit as an example of a powerful structure punishing a young woman for speaking about treatment she felt was unfair. On social media, the hashtag #JusticeForFatima has been widely shared, with supporters praising her calm attitude and confidence while facing legal pressure.
On the other side, supporters of Nawat argue that he has been unfairly targeted and that a misunderstanding of language and expression has been turned into a weapon against him. They point out that Thai pageantry is a serious, high-value industry that brings in large amounts of tourism and sponsorship money, and that respect for contracts, schedules, and local organisers is seen as non-negotiable.
Conversations online reflect bigger cultural differences too, with disagreements over what counts as bullying, how direct speech should be interpreted, and how much freedom titleholders should have when dealing with sponsors and organisers.
As Fátima Bosch starts her year as Miss Universe, she does so under the weight of a criminal complaint that may take months, or even longer, to resolve. The case has raised questions about how future pageants in Thailand will be handled and whether organisers will be more cautious about who they work with and how they manage internal disputes.
Whatever happens in court, the 2025 Miss Universe season is likely to be remembered less for its gowns and performances and more for the legal battle that erupted after the crowning moment. For many fans, the story is no longer just about beauty and charity work, but about power, speech, and accountability on one of the world’s most-watched stages.
