Thailand’s Goddess Earth comes to the Miss Universe stage

14 Oct 18:33 Key points summarised by AI

Miss Universe Thailand Anntonia Porsild presented the 'Goddess of Ayodhaya' national costume, embodying Phra Mae Thorani, the Mother of Earth, with her iconic hair-twisting gesture.
Phra Mae Thorani is a pivotal figure in Thai Buddhist culture, symbolizing nature's importance, land protection, and prosperity, often depicted in temple murals with water flowing from her hair to ward off evil.
The costume's design was meticulously inspired by Ayutthaya Kingdom artistry, featuring period-specific gemstones and footwear that reflect historical representations of the goddess.
The image of Phra Mae Thorani, particularly her hair-twisting depiction, remains a significant cultural landmark in Thailand, with prominent statues and murals found in places like Sanam Luang and Wat Chomphuwek.

Suchada: Meet the reluctant star of Thailand’s cryptic crypto drama

Yesterday 15:38 Key points summarised by AI

Thai MP Suchada Zhang Thaensap faces intense scrutiny over her husband’s substantial 1.84 billion baht wealth, with opposition lawmakers alleging connections to international scam networks.
A significant portion of her husband, Taiyang Zhang's, declared assets includes a 1.44 billion baht loan to the now-bankrupt cryptocurrency hedge fund Three Arrows Capital, which still owes him 1.34 billion baht.
Opposition MP Rangsiman Rome accused Suchada's husband of links to online scam networks and gambling sites, prompting Suchada to vehemently deny the claims, demand evidence, and file a defamation complaint.
Taiyang Zhang's background includes co-founding Ren Protocol, later sold to Alameda Research (linked to the FTX collapse), and some of his former associates have been convicted in crypto company failures.
Suchada, a former actress and first-time MP, maintains her husband's innocence, while her party leaders have distanced themselves from the allegations, deeming it a private matter.