1.2259550-3500090529
Miss Universe Canada 2005 Natalia Glebova (L) and Miss Universe South Africa 2017 Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters attend a news conference announcing Thailand as the host country of the Miss Universe 2018 pageant in Bangkok, Thailand, July 31, 2018. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha Image Credit: REUTERS

Organisers of the Miss Universe beauty pageant say Thailand will host the 2018 contest.

The Miss Universe Organisation said in a statement on Tuesday that it has granted “sole proprietorship” to a Thai investment firm to host the Miss Universe 2018 pageant this December.

Thailand has hosted the competition twice before, most recently in 2005, when it was won by Miss Universe Canada, Natalie Glebova.

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha welcomed the organisers’ choice of Thailand.

“It’s a good thing that their officials see Thailand’s potential,” Prayuth said. “If we can organise it and there are no problems with various agreements, then the government is happy to support it.”