Maria Lynn Ehran (aka Maria Poonlertlarp), one of the Top 5 finalists of Miss Universe 2017 finally arrived in Thailand on Sunday night at 11:35 pm, to an influx of people giving her with the warmest welcome on her homecoming. It was a beautiful sight to see the queen getting such a reception from her nation.
HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana was personally present at the airport to welcome Maria and present her with a bouquet as a token of appreciation for her performance in Miss Universe 2017.
There were thousands of people gathered to have a glimpse of the queen and every media person wanted to have a word with her. She addressed them all saying, “I am glad to come home and thank you all for the support, the vote of confidence that gave me the confidence every day during the trip to serve my nation, Thailand. I am very proud to have served the nation as the representative of Thailand in Miss Universe 2017 and do my best every day for the glory of Thailand, and from now on, I am on a mission to be able to do something useful as Miss Universe Thailand 2017 the coming year.”
Other dignitaries to be present there were, Surang Prampriri, President of Miss Universe Thailand organization, Khun Chataya Chamnanvej, Deputy Director of Suvarnabhumi Airport and Ms Benjamin Sirirat, Creative and Corporate Image Manager Bangkok Airways.
Thailand has not managed to enter the Top 5 spot in the past 29 years in Miss Universe competition, and it was a big moment for Maria and Thailand’s natives to have won that place. She was the only girl from Asia, present in the Top 5 finalists of the Miss Universe 2017. Thailand has won the title twice when Apasra Hongsakula and Porntip "Pui" Simon (then Nakhirunkanok) took home the title in 1965 and 1988 respectively.
Shortly after the competition, a video came out where Maria went on to share her gratitude for all the love and support she received throughout her Miss Universe journey, in which she broke down by the end of it. The internet saw a thunder-storm after that, where all her supporters came forward and congratulated her for her exceptional performance in the competition.
Today Maria was invited to the Government House, where she was looking elegant adoring a beige colour dress. Hopefully, we will be able to catch more of this beauty in the near future in the similar meet and greets while she’ll be doing her duties as Miss Universe Thailand 2017.