Miss France crowned Miss Universe
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/world/1189541/miss-france-crowned-miss-universe
Miss France crowned Miss Universe
MANILA - A 23-year-old dental student from France // has won the Miss Universe crown in the annual pageant // held this year in the Philippines.
Iris Mittenaere // from the small town of Lille in northern France // said Monday // in reply to a final question from pageant host Steve Harvey // that she would be honoured // if she just landed among the three finalists, // but was visibly stunned // when she was announced // the winner among the field of 86 contestants.
Miss Haiti, Raquel Pelissier, // a 25-year-old survivor of the devastating 2010 earthquake // that destroyed her hometown, // was named first runner up // while Miss Colombia, 23-year-old, Andrea Tovar, // was second runner up.
Miss Thailand, Chalita "Namtan" Suansane, // reached the semi-finals of the pageant, // the last six women. // It was the highest placing // for a Thai in many years.
Nong Namtan, // a 21-year-old native of Samut Prakan, // won the world's votes in internet balloting.
The Maha Sarakham University microbiology student // was following in the footsteps // of the two previous Miss Universe winners from Thailand // - Apasra Hongsakula in 1965, // and Porntip Nakhirunkanok (now Porntip Bui Simon) in 1988.
The contest among the final six contestants // was answering a random question. // Ms Chalita was asked // who was the person she admired most, // and she answered through an interpreter that // it was King Bhumibol, // for his work with the people.
Miss Myanmar Htet Htet Htun // won the best national costume // depicting "Burmese Puppetry".