The Miss Grand International Organisation (MGI) has announced the cancellation of the Miss Grand International 2024 pageant in Cambodia, opting to relocate the event to Bangkok. Nawat Itsaragrisil, owner of the MGI franchise, explained in a Facebook post that the decision was made because Cambodia failed to meet the required service standards for the event.
Nawat cited safety concerns as a key factor, claiming that he and his colleagues felt intimidated by Cambodian bodyguards stationed outside the hotel where the contestants were staying. He emphasized that the decision was not related to diplomatic relations between Thailand and Cambodia, but was due to the host country’s inability to fulfill contractual obligations.
The cancellation sparked widespread discussion on social media, with many criticizing the quality of the gala dinner held for the contestants aboard a boat in Phnom Penh, comparing it to a “pork barbeque party.”
Miss Grand Cambodia responded by expressing regret over the situation, stating that they would no longer continue their license with MGI due to what they described as a lack of respect and cooperation from the organization. In contrast, MGI issued a statement confirming the decision, citing Cambodia’s failure to meet service expectations.
In a further development, Miss Grand Cambodia, Sotheary By, announced her withdrawal from the pageant, stating that she would not be joining the other contestants in Thailand. She hinted at behind-the-scenes issues that influenced her decision but expressed gratitude for Cambodia’s efforts in hosting the event.
