South African-born Tharina Botes wins Miss Universe Thailand 2026.
Tharina Botes, a South African-born model of Thai and South African heritage, has won Miss Universe Thailand 2026 and will represent Thailand at Miss Universe 2026.
Botes, representing Bangkok, was crowned Miss Universe Thailand 2026 on August 23, earning the right to represent the country at the next Miss Universe pageant.
A seasoned pageant contestant, she has represented South Africa at Miss International 2016 and was first runner-up at Miss Universe Thailand 2021.
After moving to Thailand at 22, Botes continued to compete; she represented Phuket at Miss Grand Thailand 2019 and reached the Top 10, and was crowned Miss Thailand World 2023 at the Palladium Hall of The Berkeley Hotel Pratunam in Bangkok, Thailand.
