Farung Yuthithum, 19, waves to the audience after being crowned Miss Thailand Universe 2007 late on Saturday night.

The Pathum Thani native was the tallest of this year's contestants at 179 centimetres.

Her victory was announced on Saturday at the Bangkok Convention Hall, Central Plaza Lat Phrao.

The 33-24-33 beauty said the win was "a dream since I was a child".

Farung credited her figure, intellect and talent as a piano teacher as strengths that helped her to stand out among the contestants.

Her mother was once a beauty contestant and this encouraged the 19-year-old to give the competition a go. Her love of dressing up and looking beautiful helped, too.

This is the third beauty contest for the applied liberal arts student after the Miss U-League and Miss Teen Thailand events.

The English major admits to being "quiet" although her mother said she was "always a leader".

Farung's father is a provincial prison deputy director. He encouraged her to lead and help others. "I've always wanted her to be a leader so she can communicate and establish understanding with other young adults," he said.

Her skill in English and her liking for the language has instilled a desire to work as a diplomat.

"I like to talk to others. Being a diplomat is an honour; you can be a representative of Thailand," she said.

She told judges the tolerance and prudence learned from her mother were virtues for both women and men.

Farung will give her Bt2 million in winnings to her mother.

"It is my mother's dream that motivated me to reach mine," Farung said.

Lisnaree Vichitsorasatra

The Nation