Chalita spoke to the press yesterday at the launch event of the new Downy fabric softener at Siam Paragon and was quick to say there was no truth in the rumour that the beauty pageant organiser would release her from her contract and forfeit her crown.

“Every time I am contacted about any aspect of my job, everybody in my group knows about it and that includes my parents,” Chalita said. “I’ve not done anything to make the Miss Universe Thailand organiser drop me. I have put all my energies into fulfilling the demands of this position.”

However, she admitted that she had not had time to discuss the matter with the organiser as yet. For its part, the organiser confirmed that Chalita would remain under their supervision and contract until July.

As for the negative news about her from veteran beauty queen, Gavintra “Gam” Photijak (Miss Universe Thailand 2008), who posted on her Instragam “No sweet, Namtan (sugar) is so artificial”, Chalita said she had met Gavintra only once when Namtan was amongst the contestants in the final 40.

“I don’t think I’ve broken any rules. I’ve worked very hard since I was crowned,” she said.

Chalita said she was dismayed at the criticism, “The negative feedback is heartbreaking. Fortunately, I’ve held firm to my beliefs and my parents support me, telling me I’ve done everything to the best of my abilities. So comments that I’m ungrateful are really insensitive. I’ve done nothing wrong. I’ve been faithful to my work and whatever I do, the beauty pageant organisers acknowledge it,” Namtan notes.

Chalita became the first person from Thailand to make the final six since Porntip Nakhirunkanok, Miss Universe in 1988. Although she was not the favoured choice among fans initially, she won fans during the Miss Universe pageant 2016 in Manila, Philippines and today has a large following, especially on the social networks.