Miss Universe 2014: Miss Thailand Weluree Ditsayabut steps down over Red Shirts comments

Miss Universe Thailand Weluree Ditsayabut renounced her title over remarks she made on social media including one that “red shirt” activists, supporters of ousted PM Yingluck Shinawatra, should all be executed.

Thailand’s military coup last month was the latest convulsion in a decade-long conflict between the Bangkok-based royalist establishment and the rural-based supporters of Yingluck Shinawatra and her brother, former PM Thaksin Shinawatra.

Weluree Ditsayabut, 22, was crowned Miss Universe Thailand last month but comments she made months earlier soon surfaced, including one on her Facebook account, referring to the red shirts, which said: “I am so angry at all these evil activists. They should all be executed.”

A tearful Weluree Ditsayabut told reporters that she could not handle the vitriol directed at her on Twitter and Facebook.

“I felt under pressure. I tried to improve myself but what I could not stand was to see my mother stressed,” Weluree Ditsayabut said.

“I have decided to sacrifice my status as Miss Universe Thailand.”

Weluree Ditsayabut also hit back at comments on her looks.

“Actually I’m fat, you animal!” read one post on her Twitter account, which has since been deleted.

Pimbongkod Chankaew has replace Weluree Ditsayabut as Thailand’s representative at the global competition, Miss Universe 2014.