Thai hopeful Rida in spotlight at Miss Universe | Bangkok Post: news

The 16 semi-finalists for the title of Miss Universe 2012 will be revealed Thursday morning when the annual pageant is broadcast from the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada at 10am Thailand time.

Looking good: In evening gown, swimsuit or national costume, Miss Thailand Universe Nutpimon "Rida" Waller got support from the Las Vegas crowds. On Thursday morning, she will find out if she advances or goes home. (Reuters Photos) The 16 women will be chosen from 89 contestants who have competed in three categories in recent days: swimsuit, evening gown and interview. The two-hour telecast will end with Miss Universe 2011, Leila Lopes of Angola, crowning her successor.Among the hopefuls is highly regarded Miss Thailand Universe, Nutpimon Farida Waller aka Nutpimon Natthayalak, aka Rida of Krabi.In past years, every contestant would publish her vital statistics - Rida is 5-foot-8 (172.7cm) and 32-23-36 - but some countries' Miss Universe pageants think this is unnecessary or even worse.Results should be known around midday Thursday.(Trivia: Miss Universe 1965 was the shortest woman to win the contest. Apasra Hongsakula was 1.63m, or 5-foot-4.)Nutpimon, 18, is a Thai-Austrian beauty (Thai mother), raised in the South.British bookmakers rate her in the middle of the pack with a 66-to-1 chance, behind Miss USA (10-to-1), Miss South Africa and Miss Ecuador.Overall, Asians at the pageant believe that this is their year, with the strongest lineup ever from the continent. Miss Thailand is rated highly, but so are Miss Indonesia, Maria Selena; Miss Sri Lanka, Sabrina Herft and the candidate that is expected to receive the loudest cheers from the audience, Miss Philippines, Janine Tugonon. (Trivia: The first time an overseas Thai was chosen as Miss Thailand Universe was also the most successful. Porntip Nakhirunkanok became the country's second Miss Universe in 1988 even though she was raised in the US and spoke almost no Thai.)After Miss China won the...