Bangkok sparkled a little brighter on the night of August 23, 2025, when Naruemol “Adele” Phimphakdee — the 23-year-old beauty representing Phuket — stepped onto the Miss Universe Thailand stage and claimed a hard-earned spot among the top three. Tall, elegant and impossibly poised at 183 cm, Adele lit up the arena with a confident wai and a smile that felt like sunshine on the Andaman coast.
The Miss Universe Thailand 2025 gala was a pageant spectacle: glittering gowns, dramatic spotlights, and the hush-before-the-reveal that every fan lives for. When the announcer called “Phuket,” Adele instinctively raised her hands to wai — a tender, perfectly Thai moment that captured the crowd and social feeds alike. “I expected to make it into the top three, and I did. It was like a dream,” she told reporters, still visibly stunned and elated. “When I heard the word ‘Phuket’, I raised my hands to wai on stage. I was shocked and happy.”
Her joy wasn’t a flash-in-the-pan reaction. Adele’s journey to the national spotlight reads like a mini-epic of tenacity and unexpected routes. Born in Buriram to a Thai father and a Cambodian mother who both worked as rubber tappers, she grew up with grit in her roots. After graduating with a degree in English from Buriram Rajabhat University, she went global as ground staff for Qatar Airways and ZIPAIR Tokyo — jobs that sharpened her poise, cross-cultural grace and command of language.
Pageantry wasn’t on her résumé until TikTok nudged her into it this year. A viral nudge became a calling: Adele first turned heads by finishing as 2nd runner-up at Miss Grand Phuket 2025, then took the crown at Miss Universe Phuket 2025 — a win that earned her a ticket to the national stage where she faced 76 other hopefuls. Against fierce competition, she secured a top-three placement, a testament to both her natural stage presence and the discipline she brings from years in aviation customer service.
“I’m grateful for all the support from everyone, including the people of Phuket. There’s been no negative energy, which has allowed me to do my best.”
Adele’s nickname, “Andaman’s shining pearl,” fits like a bespoke sash: elegant, warm and unmistakably tied to Phuket’s island identity. Her success adds another gem to the island’s recent pageant renaissance — not least after Suchata “Opal” Chuangsri made history in June as the first Thai woman to win the Miss World title. For Phuket, the momentum is real; for Adele, the stage is only the beginning.
At the Miss Universe Thailand finale, the crown ultimately went to Veena Praveenar Singh of Saraburi, while Praewwanit “Praew” Muangthong of Bangkok claimed first runner-up, according to The Phuket News. Even so, finishing in the top three places Adele in the spotlight: a bridge between regional pride and national aspiration, and a potential ambassador for Phuket on the international pageant circuit.
What happens next for Adele? For now she is committed to duties with the Miss Universe Thailand (MUT) organisation, eager to support international competitions and help lift the profile of Thai contestants abroad. “Right now, I’d like the pageant to promote international competitions first, and work on my duties with MUT. Then, I’ll decide whether or not to compete again in the future,” she explained — measured, thoughtful and understandably pragmatic after a whirlwind few months.
Beyond crowns and sashes, Adele’s story resonates because it’s relatable: small-town beginnings, everyday working parents, an unexpected pivot via social media, and the courage to try something wildly different. She’s a reminder that pageantry today is not just about glamour but about storytelling, representation and the ability to connect across cultures — traits Adele honed while working in aviation and through her mixed Thai-Cambodian heritage.
Social media quickly embraced Adele’s performance. Clips of her wai, fans celebrating Phuket, and commentators praising her height, elegance and authenticity spread across platforms. For Phuket’s local supporters, her top-three finish felt like both vindication and celebration: a hometown star who kept her roots visible on a national stage.
As the glitter settles on another dramatic pageant night in Bangkok, Adele’s future looks promising. Whether she returns to compete again or channels her energy into supporting the MUT and representing Phuket at international events, she’s earned a place in Thailand’s pageant narrative. And for anyone watching, her journey — humble beginnings, international work experience, a TikTok spark and a triumphant wai — is as entertaining as it is inspiring.
Phuket can pat itself on the back: the “Pearl of Phuket” stole the show, and the island’s crown collection now sparkles a little brighter. Adele Phimphakdee’s story will likely continue to unfold in headlines, on social feeds and on stages yet to be announced — and you can bet Thailand’s pageant fans will be watching closely.
Thank you everyone for the love and support — Phuket made me who I am. I’m grateful and will do my best with MUT duties while I figure out future plans.
Proud of you, Adele! You represented Phuket beautifully and that wai was everything.
Pageants are just glamour shows that distract from real issues. Why celebrate looks over substance?
I hear that, Somchai, but for me pageants are a platform to tell stories and spotlight community causes. I try to use my visibility to help Phuket and to discuss cultural pride.
TikTok entrants winning spots is worrying — are we choosing skills or viral moments now?
Social media gave me a nudge but the work came after. Viral can open the door, you still need discipline, interviews and stagecraft to get to top three.
Pageantry as cultural diplomacy is fascinating; it can amplify regional identities but also reproduces narrow standards. We should study how these shows shape perceptions of national identity.
It’s exploitation dressed as culture. Women are still judged by bodies more than ideas.
Anita, I agree there are risks, but many contestants exercise agency and use the platform for advocacy. Blanket dismissal ignores those complexities.
I just think she’s pretty and tall.
Phuket proud! Adele carried the island with grace and reminded everyone of our beauty and grit. This momentum matters for local tourism and pride.
Regional wins are hype, but often the same well-funded provinces dominate resources and training. Not every province has that support.
True, but Phuket has invested in its pageant community lately and deserves the spotlight. Visibility can attract more funding and opportunities for others.
I still think viral fame cheapens pageants. She worked hard, sure, but a TikTok spark changing a life overnight feels like a lottery, not merit.
Digital platforms democratize exposure though; people from humble backgrounds suddenly get noticed and can prove themselves.
Maybe, but attention without preparation can burn out contestants who weren’t ready for the pressure.
Another costume parade. Why do we still worship crowns in 2025?
Because some contestants use crowns to launch social projects and careers, so it’s not just superficial. Representation matters and so does the platform.
That sounds ideal, but I rarely see lasting impact. It’s mostly headlines and sponsorships.
When I was young pageants connected communities and raised money for local causes. Maybe people judge too quickly now.
Adele’s mixed Thai-Cambodian heritage and aviation background are interesting vectors of cultural capital. Scholars should look at how migrant and mixed identities are represented on national stages.
Her background is beautiful and shows Thailand is not monolithic.
Exactly, Cherry. The intersection of ethnicity, labor background and globalized work (aviation) complicates simple narratives about fame.
I cried during her wai — it felt so Thai and genuine. We need more moments like that on TV.
Televised sentiment can be manufactured, but that wai seemed authentic and it resonated widely. Viewers love sincerity.
Authentic or not, it united viewers across regions. That’s powerful in itself.
Congrats to Veena, but Adele deserved the crown too. Judges always pick the ‘safe’ candidate and it gets stale.
Judges follow criteria; it’s not just charisma. Veena was consistent across segments and that’s what counted.
Consistency is code for backstage politics sometimes. Pageant outcomes are rarely purely meritocratic.
Maybe, but I still respect the winner and hope Adele gets international gigs. Competition shouldn’t mean bitterness.
She is so tall!
What kind of duties will Adele have with MUT and will she travel? I’m curious if MUT supports contestants long-term or just during the show.
MUT will involve me in public events, charity appearances and international preparation if needed; for now it’s a busy schedule but I’m learning. I’ll assess future competition options after fulfilling obligations.
Thanks for answering, Adele — glad to hear there are concrete duties. Hope the organization provides real support beyond photo ops.
Comparing this to Suchata ‘Opal’ Chuangsri’s Miss World win, we see a narrative of Thailand’s rising global presence in pageantry. It’s a cultural moment worth recording.
These moments are fleeting though. National pride over pageants is shallow when structural issues remain unaddressed.
I agree with the critique, but symbolic victories can galvanize attention that becomes policy or funding for cultural programs. History shows symbolism can catalyze change.
From abroad, it’s refreshing to see contestants with mixed heritage celebrated. It signals a more pluralistic Thailand to international audiences.
She speaks good English because of her aviation job, which helps in global contests and interviews.
Exactly, language skills and cross-cultural poise are assets in international circuits. Adele’s background gives her an advantage beyond appearance.
Judges always love tall contestants. It’s bias disguised as preference.
Height can be correlated with stage presence but it’s reductive to say judges only pick tall people; criteria include interview, advocacy and overall impression.
Maybe, but patterns matter. We should demand transparent scoring to reduce suspicion.
Used to be pageants were local, now they’re national TV factories. Not sure this is progress or commercialization.
Adele’s story from rubber-tapper parents to runway is inspiring. Social mobility stories like this are important for young people to see.
Media loves a narrative arc — small town to stage. But journalists should balance feel-good stories with structural analysis of why such upward moves are rare.
Spammy comments aside, social feeds exploded and that’s real support. Rankings don’t matter as much as community momentum.
If she uses the platform for charity and cultural exchange I’ll support her. Otherwise it’s just another insta-fame cycle.
Heightism aside, I’m glad someone from a mixed background was visible. Representation creates role models for kids of similar heritage.
How do pageants balance tradition and modernity? The wai was beautiful but the event is very Western in format.
Thailand’s pageant wins give national pride, but we should also ask what winners do for long-term social causes. Crowns are an opening, not an endpoint.
There were 77 contestants, and Adele’s rise was quick after local success. Newsrooms need to follow up on her post-pageant work, not just the night itself.
People forget the emotional labor contestants put in: training, interviews, and community expectations. Respect the process even if you dislike pageants.
I think it’s theater with real consequences. Public perception after a pageant can make or break careers, so it’s not trivial.
Seeing someone from a rubber-tapper family succeed makes me hopeful for my kids. It’s not about crowns, it’s about possibility.