PHNOM PENH: Imm Sokunthea (pic), Miss Grand Cambodia (MGC) 2024 Programme Manager, has announced that she will do everything in her power to prevent Miss Grand International beauty pageant from appearing in Cambodia in the coming years.
In a post on social media, Imm stated "Do you support it? Next year there is no programme called Miss Grand in Cambodia or not...
I’ll do everything deactivate this app"
Her remarks come in the aftermath of a public fallout with Miss Grand International (MGI) after MGC was expelled from the MGI pageant on Monday (Sept 30), following accusations from the international organisers that Cambodia failed to meet the pageant’s required service standards.
Im Sokunthea, Director General and Manager of Miss Grand Cambodia, revealed that plans are underway for a special event involving Bee Sotheary, Miss Grand Cambodia 2024, alongside popular Cambodian personalities.
This move is seen as a show of resilience amid the controversy that led to Cambodia losing its hosting rights for the international beauty pageant.
In addition to the upcoming event, Pich Vatey Saravathy, Miss Grand Cambodia 2022 and a 5th runner-up at Miss Grand International 2022, announced that the organisation is gathering documents and evidence for a press conference to address allegations made by MGI director Nawat Itsaragrisil.
The press conference aims to provide clarity on the claims that led to Cambodia’s removal as a host nation.
The fallout began on Sunday when Nawat announced that the MGI 2024 pageant, originally set to be hosted in Cambodia, would be relocated to Thailand.
In a public statement, Nawat cited a lack of professionalism by the local organisers, including the absence of key authorities at the airport and a poorly organised gala dinner cruise, as reasons for the decision.
“We regret to inform you that Cambodia will no longer serve as our host country due to the host organisation’s inability to fulfil the requirements as stipulated in the host agreement contract,” read the official statement from MGI.
Nawat also alleged that Cambodian bodyguards stationed outside the hotel where the contestants were staying had intimidated MGI representatives, raising concerns about safety.
The decision to expel Cambodia as a host country sparked outrage among Cambodians, with thousands of people taking to social media to protest the move.
As of Tuesday morning, the Miss Grand International Facebook page had become inaccessible, with a message saying, “This content isn’t available right now.”
Many users speculated that the page had been restricted or taken down due to the backlash.
Cambodia’s Minister of Tourism, Huot Hak, had earlier expressed hope that hosting the MGI pageant would showcase Cambodia’s tourism potential to the world.
However, this hope was dashed when the MGI announced the relocation of the event.
The pageant will continue as scheduled in Thailand, with activities beginning on October 7, 2024.
In response to the sudden cancellation, Miss Grand Cambodia announced that it would withdraw its contestant, Bee Sotheary, from the competition.
Bee confirmed her withdrawal in a group chat with the other contestants, stating that she would not be travelling to Thailand.
She also noted the efforts made by Cambodian organisers to accommodate the pageant, despite the eventual outcome.
Miss Grand Cambodia issued a statement expressing regret over the breakdown of their relationship with MGI, accusing the international organisation of disrespecting Cambodia as a host nation and failing to cooperate.
“We deeply regret to announce that Miss Grand Cambodia will no longer continue our licence with MGI due to a lack of respect and cooperation with Cambodia as the host nation,” read the statement.
In another pointed barb, Imm also posted up images of empty dining tables, prepared for Miss Grand International delegates, with the message “Preparing for the contest around the world, but it’s a pity that you all didn’t participate.” - Khmer Times
