It's official: Miss Universe 2018 will be held in Thailand!
Miss Universe 2017 Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters will be crowning her successor at Impact Arena this coming December 16.
The announcement was made early today, July 31, at a press conference in Bangkok.
Miss Universe Organization's President Paula Shugart as well as former titleholders Canada's Natalie Glebova (2005) and Thailand's very own Apasra Hongsakula (1965) were present during the announcement.
This is the third time Thailand will be hosting the pageant. The first was in 1992 and their most recent was in 2005.
But before the big announcement, Philippine bet Catriona Gray already explored some of Thailand's tourist destinations last June, with some of her friends—beauty queen Angelica Alita, shoe designer Jojo Bragais, and videographer Jolo Luarca III.
Cat uploaded on her social media accounts a one-minute video of their trip, and expressed how excited she is to go back to the Land of Smiles.
She wrote, "Sawasdee Ka Thailand!!! Soooo excited that the rumors are true and that it's finally official!!!
"@missuniverse to be held in Thailand, December 2018. So excited to go back to one of my favorite travel destinations!!"
One of the places they visited was Wat Rong Khun, which is also known as The White Temple which can be found in Chang Rai province.
Catriona and her crew also explored the streets of Chiang Mai, a mountainous city.
She also bonded with some elephants at Mae Taeng Elephant Park & Clinic...
...and learned more about the women of Long Neck Tribe, who are known for wearing coiled brass rings.
Catriona is no stranger to Thailand, where she previously worked as a model.
She was then represented by J.I.M. Modeling Agency.
Catriona also had modeling stints in Australia, France, Vietnam, and China.