After the "Miss Grand International 2024" contest, the national director of Myanmar, Htun Ant Lwin, was spotted in several online videos, energetically filming the coronation and lamenting with the winner Thae. The second runner-up "Miss Grand Myanmar", Thae Su Nyan, announced that she is returning her crown. This followed the discussion of an incident during the coronation ceremony of the beauty contest on October 25 in Bangkok, Thailand.
During a live broadcast on Facebook, Thae publicly stated that she had decided to relinquish the title, as in her opinion, she did not deserve it. "They are my best sisters ever," she commented. She also explained that her emotional breakdown after the coronation was due to feeling regret regarding her compatriots who supported her during the competition.
"I started to cry because I felt sorry for them, I felt sad to see them, not because I didn't receive the winner’s crown," said the 18-year-old beauty queen. She added that it was not due to the winner's crown, but rather due to two specific individuals who were rewarded, to whom she looked up. Thae received the awards for "Best National Costume", which were given to Brazil, Ecuador, and Honduras, as well as "Best National Power", which went to Thailand.
"I'm not managed by anyone. Not a winner's crown," Thae noted, emphasizing that she does not blame "her sisters". "I love India. I'm not competing for the winner’s crown, I'm competing for my country." Recently, it was reported that the president of "Miss Grand International", Navat Itthasarakrisi, imposed a positive ban on Myanmar due to the "lack of sportsmanship and business integrity".
"What an illusion? I returned my crown of the second runner-up just because we didn't receive what we deserved," Htun later remarked in the live broadcast, adding that Myanmar will no longer participate in the contest. "I am disappointed. Our award for the national costume. Did you sign the contract?" he said shortly after this.