Pageant season is everywhere! Recently, Thailand also held its search for the country’s “coAnfidently beautiful” woman to represent it at the world’s most prestigious beauty and brains competition, the upcoming Miss Universe pageant 2017. Miss Universe Thailand 2017 was the 18 th edition of Miss Universe Thailand held at Royal Paragon Hall of Siam Paragon shopping mall in Bangkok on July 29th, with 40 young, talented and beautiful ladies who vied for the crown. Maria Poonlertlarp Ehren, 25 years old, from Bangkok whose mother is a Thai and whose father is from Sweden, was crowned by her predecessor Chalita “Namtan” Suansane this year. “Mareeya” gained her Master’s degree in Marketing at Stockholm Business School and is currently continuing her studies for a doctoral degree. She has worked as a professional model since she was very young. In an interview right after her win, she said that the first thing she’ll do, as in the next day, was to take a rest and catch up on some sleep and give herself a much deserved rest from the rigorous preparations and schedules of the competition. Then after that, she’ll comeback and work harder to prepare and make herself stronger for the Miss Universe pageant. She said she’s hoping to make everyone proud of her. Asked what will be her advocacy, she said she wanted to especially focus on helping with increased awareness about teenage pregnancies as this problem with a very high rate of incidence not only in Thailand but also in most Southeast Asian countries. She’s hoping, and said she will do her best, to make this platform become more helpful and effective. Also asked if she’s looking forward to meeting Miss Universe 2005, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, who’s scheduled to meet her and the runners up...... Read more on Full Issue!