Punjabi-origin model Veena Praveenar Singh crowned Miss Universe Thailand 2025

After three close calls in the past eight years, 28-year-old Praveenar ‘Veena’ Singh has finally won the Miss Universe Thailand 2025 crown. Representing Saraburi, Veena triumphed over 76 contestants, including Bangkok’s Praewwanich ‘Praew’ Ruangthong (first runner-up) and Phuket’s Narumon ‘Dale’ Pimpakdee (second runner-up), at the grand finale on August 23 at MGI Hall in Bangkok.

The crowning moment was made even more special as the title was passed on by Natalie Glebova, Miss Universe 2005.

Born in Chiang Mai on April 16, 1996, to Indian parents, Veena later became a naturalised Thai citizen. She is a graduate in Russian Studies from Thammasat University. Her pageant journey began in 2018 when she was placed as second runner-up. Veena came even closer in 2020 as first runner-up to Amanda Obdam, and again in 2023, taking the second runner-up spot.

The Miss Univerese Thailand organisation honoured her journey with a message on Instagram, writing, “True effort never betrays the heart that believes”.

Veena expressed the sentiment in her own words: “Today, all eight years of hard work have come to fruition… Let’s walk on the Miss Universe path together.”

As the newly crowned Miss Universe Thailand, Veena will represent the nation at the Miss Universe 2025 competition to be held on November 21 in Nonthaburi, Thailand. Among her fellow contenders will be the Philippines’ Ahtisa Manalo, and Denmark’s Victoria Kjaer Theilvig will crown the next Miss Universe.