Miss Universe Thailand resigns under social media fire

Miss Universe Thailand has resigned less than a month into her reign after being harshly criticised on social media over her political comments and looks.

Weluree Ditsayabut, 22, tearfully announced she was giving up the title that would have allowed her to compete in the international Miss Universe pageant.

The actress and former talk show host said on Monday she was initially pleased to have won the title, but that the hail of brutal comments on social media blasting her outspoken political views and calling her fat had hurt her family.

Weluree was criticised for comments she posted on Facebook attacking the “red shirt” supporters of the former government, whom she accused of opposing Thailand’s monarchy, and calling for the execution of their leaders.

“You red shirts, you get out of here,” she wrote in mid-November, before winning her title. “Thailand’s soil is dirty because of anti-monarchy people like you.”

Weluree said that because of the criticism, “the happiness we used to have disappeared totally.”