Myanmar’s Thae Su Nyein decided to return her second runner-up crown following her controversial outburst during the Miss Grand International 2024 coronation on Friday, Oct. 25.
In a Facebook Live on Sunday, Oct. 27, Thae explained her decision, expressing disappointment that her country “didn’t get what [it] deserved.”
“I am not controlled by anyone. I just make my own decision. I give back my second runner-up crown just because we didn’t get what we deserve—our National Costume prize, our Country Power of the Year, not the winner crown,” Thae said.
She later clarified that her decision was not aimed at the winners, India’s Rachel Gupta and the Philippines’ CJ Opiaza, whom she considers “best sisters.”
“I am not blaming my sisters. I love India, I love the Philippines; they’re my best sisters of all time. I don’t blame them. I’m just saying our National Costume prize and our Country Power figure, not the winner’s crown. I’m not taking it on them,” she added.
The special awards Thae mentioned were the National Costume and Country Power of the Year titles, where Myanmar was a finalist in both categories. However, the National Costume awards went to Brazil, Ecuador, and Honduras, while Thailand was named Country Power of the Year.
