The 5th edition of Miss Universe Laos, i.e. Miss Universe Laos 2022, was held on Saturday, 8th October 2022 at the Grand Ballroom of Landmark Mekong Riverside Hotel in Vientiane where Payengxa Lor was crowned the new queen as she became the official representative of Laos at Miss Universe 2022. The theme of this year’s edition was ‘The Change Is Now’.

Payengxa Lor is 21 years of age and a business management student at the Lao-American College. She bested nineteen other finalists to win the national crown. An English teacher by profession, Lor is also the co-founder of the Hmong Women Network, a platform for women empowerment. The stunning Laotian beauty volunteers to help the poor community of her country. It’s her dream to build her own school to influence the young generation.

On winning the national crown, Lor took to her official social media as she wrote, “Pa Techa has done it. This is just one step, there is one more step left for the forest to continue. Thank you, brother Phounsavath Sihalath, sister Kylao, brother Tong, sister Tai, brother Jimmy. Thank you to all the makeup artists who made the 20 beautiful ladies look elegant and ready for everyone.”

Also at the end of the event finale, Phaimany Lathsabanthao and Lattana Munvilay were adjudged as the first and second runners-up while Soudthida Bounluetai and Souphaphone Houngheuang completed as the Top 5 finalists.

Laos first joined Miss Universe in 2017 under Souphaphone Somvichith’s delegation. Lor succeeds and was crowned by her predecessor Tonkham Phonchanheuang who represented Laos at Miss Universe 2021 but failed to place. Laos’ highest placement was in 2018 when On-anong Homsombath won the Best in National Costume award.