Miss Universe Thailand winner Weluree "Fai" Ditsayabut on Monday relinquished her crown following public criticism of perceived inappropriate remarks on social media, including anti-red shirt comments, and of her "chubby" appearance.
Fai: My mum loses her sleep because of me.
A tearful Fai told a press briefing at a Bangkok hotel that she had decided to unconditionally surrender her title.
"I've made this decision on my own. I would like to thank all the judges who selected me as well as my parents, friends and those who looked after me.
"I also want to thank the people who made comments about me, both good and bad ones, through the media," said the 22-year-old actress and former host of the teen television show "Strawberry Cheesecake".
When reporters asked whether she would regret giving up this opportunity, Fai said she was not sorry at all.
"At first, my family was happy for me when I was crowned. But there's no more happiness following waves of criticism from the society," Fai said.
She had initially decided to perform her duty as Miss Universe Thailand but later resigned after seeing her mother losing sleep because of her.
Organisers of Miss Universe Thailand told reporters that they will have to review other criteria, such as social media, when screening and selecting contestants in the future.
Asked who will replace Fai as Miss Universe Thailand, after photos of first runner-up Pimbongkod "Ellie" Chankaew kissing a man surfaced on the internet, the organisers said they will have to talk with each individual contestant.
On May 17, Fai was crowned this year's Miss Universe Thailand. The result came as a surprise to many viewers, as the favourites were second-placed Ellie and runner-up Sunnanipa "Namphet" Krissanasuwan.
When Fai was crowned many members of the audience at the show repeatedly shouted "Ellie, Ellie" and "Keep on fighting Ellie", amid boos and jeers.
On May 19, Fai apologised publicly for her use of words on social media and promised to get in shape before going to the international pageant.
On social media, many netizens wrote messages expressing their shock and disappointment at the outcome of the national beauty pageant. Internet users posted photos of Fai and Ellie, comparing their looks, while others shared "inappropriate" comments made on Fai's Twitter account (@fyiiee) before she was crowned. Some of her comments:
"Hmmm, monitor lizard, ha ha ha."
"Actually I'm fat, you animal!"
"Animal! Women with big breasts are f*#%ing halfway to victory".
According to a Khaosod report, Fai on Facebook in November accused pro-government red-shirt supporters of being anti-monarchist, and said that the country would be cleaner without them.
Consequently, her crowning as Miss Universe Thailand was not well-received by the red-shirt group, who questioned whether she was the appropriate choice to represent Thailand.