Miss Universe West Supports Bosch in Dispute With Thai Pageant Official

Miss Universe West, one of the two equal partners in the Miss Universe Organization, has publicly backed Miss Universe 2025 Fátima Bosch amid her legal dispute with Nawat Itsaragrisil, saying women should not have to remain silent to protect their opportunities, positions or dreams.

The statement comes after Nawat Itsaragrisil said on social media that efforts were under way to expedite an arrest warrant for Bosch, the Mexican winner of Miss Universe 2025, in connection with allegations of defamation and spreading false information. Nawat posted an image of what appears to be a Thai police document relating to the case.

"Violence, intimidation, humiliation, disrespect and mistreatment of women in any form are unacceptable," the organisation said. "No woman should ever feel that she must stay silent in order to protect an opportunity, a legal position or a dream."

The organisation said Bosch had spoken out to defend her dignity over the way she was treated by Nawat, adding that her actions carried a broader message for women. "When Fátima Bosch raised her voice to defend her dignity following the treatment she received from Mr Nawat Itsaragrisil, she reminded women everywhere of a fundamental truth: respect is not something we earn through silence. It is a right."

The legal dispute dates back to a heated confrontation during Miss Universe 2025 activities in Bangkok on 4 November, when Nawat publicly questioned Bosch over her participation in sponsor-related events. Bosch later said Nawat had called her "dumb" during the exchange and accused him of humiliating her in front of the other contestants. Video of the confrontation went viral, and several contestants walked out in support of Bosch.

Nawat disputes that account. He says he did not call Bosch "dumb" or a "dumbhead," but instead used the word "damage" while referring to the consequences of her not taking part in scheduled activities. On 12 November 2025, Nawat filed a criminal complaint against Bosch in Thailand, alleging that she had repeatedly made false claims about what he said in subsequent media interviews and had damaged his reputation and that of Miss Grand International. Miss Universe Thailand later publicly confirmed the complaint.

Bosch has continued to stand by her account of the confrontation. In a December interview with ABC's Nightline, she said Nawat had tried to humiliate her publicly and recalled telling him that he could not call her "dumb."

The latest development came on Saturday, when Nawat said efforts were under way to obtain an arrest warrant for Bosch in connection with the case. An arrest warrant has not been independently confirmed. In its statement, the Miss Universe Organization (West) said the pageant had always been about more than a stage, crown or competition, describing it as a global community where women from different countries, cultures and generations come together.