Miss Universe Thailand 2022 Anna Sueangam-iam. Image: Instagram/@missuniverse.in.th
Despite not advancing to the Top 16, Anna Sueangam-iam of Thailand received the Impact WayV award at the 71st Miss Universe.
Sueangam-iam was recognized as the first Impact WayV awardee by the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) owner Anne Jakrajutatip in New Orleans, Louisiana in the U.S. on Saturday, Jan. 14 (morning of Jan. 15 in the Philippines).
Sueangam-iam was praised for her “empowering life story” as a “garbage beauty queen,” which was showcased during her preliminary evening gown last Thursday, Jan. 12.
“Persistence, tenaciousness and optimism within her have led her to a great success in life. It is the result of being brought up by a father who is a garbage collector, street-sweeper mother, and a virtuous nun who was Anna’s great-grandmother. Although she was called by some as ‘The Garbage Beauty Queen,’ that never stops her from shining bright as a precious gem,” the Miss Universe Thailand organization said, as they described Sueangam-iam’s gown in a previous post.
Prior to the award, Jakrajutatip spoke up about moving the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) towards a unit that empowers women. She also talked about her life story when she was mocked for her gender.
Apart from the Thai stunner, Viktoria Apanasenko of Ukraine bagged the Spirit of Carnival award at the pageant. EDV