NONTHABURI, THAILAND:

Miss Mexico was crowned Miss Universe in Thailand on Friday after a chaotic and emotionally charged build-up marked by public chastisement, walkouts, resignations and on-stage accidents that overshadowed the final celebrations of one of the world's major beauty pageants.

The crowning took place in Nonthaburi, where more than 120 contestants had competed for the title considered part of the "big four" of global beauty pageants, with finalists from the Ivory Coast, the Philippines, Thailand and Venezuela joining Mexico in the final stage.

Before Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch secured the title, controversy dominated the pageant, beginning with allegations that she had been insulted during a meeting earlier in the month, prompting her to walk out in front of participants an

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