SAN JUAN.- The Puerto Rico Tourism Company (CTPR) issued a letter this Thursday to request the dismissal of Thai businessman Nawat Itsaragrisil, for “disseminating false, inaccurate or materially misleading statements” related to contracting processes, management and the disbursement of public funds for the celebration of the Miss Universe 2026 pageant in Puerto Rico.
“We are aware that there are controversies between Mr. Itsaragrisil and people or entities linked to the Miss Universe organization. The Tourism Company is not part of these differences and we will not allow a controversy between third parties to be used to question, without foundation, the integrity of our processes or the responsible management of public funds,” the executive director of the CTPR, Willianette Robles, stated in a statement.
The CTPR emphasized that it has corporate documentation that supports the actions carried out as part of the agreements related to the event and the corresponding authorizations at the time of formalizing and executing said agreements.
Reaction from the Organization
Likewise, Ronald Day, chief executive officer of the Miss Universe Organization (MUO, in English) and one of the executives in charge of organizing the pageant in Puerto Rico, recently rejected Itsaragrisil’s allegations and publicly maintained that he has no relationship or authority over the organization.
“Puerto Rico is preparing to host an event of international scope that represents an important platform to project our attractions, our culture and our tourist offer to audiences around the world. Controversies beyond the Company’s control will not divert our attention from that objective nor should Puerto Rico be used to advance differences between private interests,” Robles added.
The CTPR noted that it does not limit Itsaragrisil’s right to express opinions, present claims or go to court.
However, it requires that any representation related to the company’s actions be truthful, complete in its material aspects and not present as conclusive facts matters that remain in controversy between private interests.
The company reserved all rights, defenses and remedies available by law against any claim or action that may affect its interests, its institutional reputation and the image of Puerto Rico as a tourist destination.
Controversies of the contest
This controversy occurs after Miss Universe announced last week that the representatives of six Southeast Asian countries will not be able to compete in the 75th edition of the pageant, which will be held in Puerto Rico on November 24, in the midst of a war within the organization, whose ownership is divided between businessmen from Mexico and Thailand.
The company – divided equally since January 2024 – has an ongoing dispute between its owners: Legacy Holding (which would be Miss Universe Western), owned by Mexican businessman Raúl Rocha Cantú; and JKN Global Group, from Thailand’s Jakkaphong ‘Anne’ Jakrajutatip (self-defined Miss Oriental Universe).
MUO will hold its 75th anniversary contest on November 24 at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum of Puerto Rico, in San Juan.
SOURCE: With information from EFE
