The 74th Miss Universe pageant, held in Thailand, sparked legal controversy due to the promotion of the offshore gambling platform PlayTime by a contestant from the Philippines. Thai police intervened in the investigation, intensifying internal conflicts within the event and highlighting the importance of compliance with local laws in international activities.
Event Promotion Leads to Legal Dispute
The Filipino contestant posted promotional content on social media holding a pillow with the PlayTime logo. Although the platform is legal in the Philippines, it violates Thailand's strict prohibition of online gambling. After receiving a report from hotel staff, the police confiscated the promotional materials and took the event organizers to the police station for questioning.
Internal Management Responsibility Discrepancies
The vice-chairman of Miss Universe Thailand, Nawa Issaragrisil, stated that the promotion was not authorized and emphasized that it was unilaterally operated by the international committee. The escalation of the conflict led to the Mexican contestant refusing to cooperate with the event arrangements, causing several contestants to collectively leave the venue, with security sealing off the entrance to control the situation.
Thai Gambling Ban and International Compliance Challenges
Thai law only allows state-run lotteries and horse race betting. Prime Minister Anutin recently reiterated his anti-gambling stance. This incident highlights the need for international beauty pageants to strictly adhere to the laws and regulations of the host country to avoid cultural and legal conflicts.
