Sunnanipa "Namphet" Krissanasuwan, who was stripped of the third-place title in this year's troubled Miss Universe Thailand pageant, lashed back at event organisers Monday, insisting she did nothing improper and plans to keep her crown.
Namphet asks media members at the press conference to help her return the Miss Universe belt to the organising committee. (Photo by Pattanapong Hirunard)
At a press conference at GMM Grammy Place, Namphet said she wanted to explain her side of the controversy to reveal the "truth" of the story and protect her image.
The Organising Committee of Miss Universe Thailand said she was sacked because previous saucy pictures of her posing inside a van and sitting on a man's lap spread on social media, sparking uproar and criticism.
"I was not aware of the sexy pictures when I was in the van because many photographers were at the event and there were many angles. I would like to apologise if this tarnishes the image of beauty pageants," she said.
Namphet added that a video clip of a topless woman dancing on stage alleged to be her was not.
The 21-year-old beauty pageant also told reporters that she did not falsify her age as some people alleged, and that she submitted all documents to verify her age to the organising committee before the competition began.
She said she was not at fault since she was rightfully chosen by the organising committee and added that she had yet to receive her prize money of 200,000 baht. As a result, Namphet said, she'll surrender her title, but will keep the crown.
Namphet insisted that she only did honest work, starting out of necessity a job as a product presenter, or "pretty" as they are called in Thailand.
"It's a legal profession and I pay my taxes," Namphet said. "I didn't sell my body. It's an honest job and I ask the fans to open up their hearts."
Being a pretty brought her lots of money and paved way for her to the entertainment business, she added, as tears started to flow from her eyes.
Namphet explained that she took work as a "sexy pretty" at age 17 because they earn far more than the standard rate of 2,000-3,000 baht for less-risqué assignments and she needed money to pay for emergency surgery for her mother.
"That's why I have to do this job," Namphet said. "I have only one mother."
Namphet shows earlier pictures of herself working as a product presenter and compares them with another set of photos of Ellie kissing her boyfriend. (Photo by Pattanapong Hirunard)
Just before the press conference ended, Namphet said she wanted to ask the public whether second-placed Pimbongkod "Ellie" Chankaew is a suitable candidate to represent Miss Universe Thailand after earlier pictures of her hugging and kissing a man surfaced online.
On June 9, Miss Universe Thailand winner Weluree "Fai" Ditsayabut relinquished her crown following public criticism of perceived inappropriate remarks on social media, including anti-red shirt comments, and of her "chubby" appearance.