Born and bred in SA : Meet Tharina Botes, Miss Universe Thailand

South African-born model and former Miss SA finalist, Tharina Botes, has been crowned Miss Universe Thailand.

The beauty queen and businesswoman was born in Randburg to a South African father and Thai mother.

Tharina moved abroad in 2019 at the age of 22.

THARINA BOTES CROWNED MISS UNIVERSE THAILAND

Over the weekend, Tharina Botes added another pageant title to her name – Miss Universe Thailand 

Tharina, representing Bangkok, was awarded a diamond crown, a cash prize, sponsorship deals and the opportunity to represent Thailand at the Miss Universe pageant on 24 November in Puerto Rico.

“Dreams really come true”, the 29-year-old model and businesswoman shared in an Instagram post.

In another, Tharina added that convinced that hearing a Tyla song during the competition was a “sign”.

WHO IS THE SOUTH AFRICAN-BORN STUNNER?

Tharina Bortes was born and raised in Roodepoort to a South African father and Thai mother. 

She attended Monument High School in Krugersdorp and became involved in modelling and pageantry as a teenager. She studied a BCom at Damelin College and later pursued economics through UNISA.

In her early days, she won Miss Teen Gauteng and Miss Rand Show, and represented South Africa at Miss International in Tokyo

In 2018, she entered the Miss South Africa pageant at the age of 21. The pageant, which included finalists like Bryoni Govender and Margo Fargo, was won by Tamaryn Green.

After the pageant, Tharina Botes moved to Thailand, where she continued pageantry.

Tharin won Miss Grand Phuket and Miss Thailand World in 2019 and 2023, respectively.

Before winning the title of Miss Unirsee Thailand, she was named first runner-up in 2021.