Suchata Chuangsri, widely known in Thailand as “Opal”, recently won third runner up at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant. During an interview at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, upon her return to Thailand, she said that, even without winning the crown, she feels successful because her answers on stage have inspired others.
“As long as you believe, your power is infinite. As long as you have hope, your spirit and your power will shine,” she proclaimed. She went on, during the five finalists’ Q&A round, to suggest that everyone retains hope and believes that tomorrow will be a better day, to encourage women and those facing breast cancer around the world.
A man, whose mother suffers from cancer, told her, after she descended from the stage, that her response had given him hope and strength.
Suchata has been working on the "Opal for Her" project, aimed at raising awareness about breast cancer. She believes in creating a world in which every woman has access to the care she needs and deserves. Suchata hopes to continue promoting hope, life, treatment and education through this project.
After completing her Miss Universe duties in Mexico, Suchata returned to Thailand and was warmly welcomed by fans and Anntonia Porsild, the runner-up in Miss Universe 2023.
A Phuket native, Suchata, 21, is in her third year of studying International Relations at Thammasat University. At 16, she underwent surgery, to remove a mass found in her breast. Fortunately, it was found to be benign.
This personal experience, however, inspired her campaign to raise breast cancer awareness.
Suchata began by modelling. She then entered pageants, until she reached third place in Miss Universe Thailand 2022 and fourth place in Miss Universe 2024.
