Tension within the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) escalated this week after Nawat Itsaragrisil, president of the host committee of the 74th Miss Universe in Thailand, filed a criminal complaint against reigning queen Fatima Bosch.
Miss Universe Thailand confirmed the move in a statement posted Wednesday, noting that the complaint was submitted in Thailand last November 12. The dispute stems from Bosch’s “false” claims about their heated exchange during an orientation with this year’s delegates.
The controversy first erupted when MUO president Raul Rocha publicly reprimanded Itsaragrisil, prompting the Thai executive to apologize. But in a statement released through his Miss Grand International (MGI) organization, Itsaragrisil insisted he never insulted Bosch.
“We wish to reaffirm that Mr. Nawat Itsaragrisil never called Ms. Fatima Bosch a ‘dumbhead.’ What he said was ‘damage,’ which is clearly audible in the voice recordings,” MGI said.
The group accused Bosch of repeatedly making “false” accusations in interviews “seemingly for personal gain,” and urged individuals and media outlets not to amplify her statements as the conflict continues.
