World Scene: Thailand

Athlete quits for pageant

Newly-crowned Miss Thailand Pongchanok Kunklub has pulled out of her country's taekwondo squad for Southeast Asian Games in Laos.

The 18-year-old national taekwondo team member took the decision after winning the Miss Thailand World pageant at the weekend. "Although I'm passionate about taekwondo, I have decided to devote myself to my duties as Miss Thailand World, which means withdrawing from the SEA Games," Pongchanok told Thailand's Daily Xpress. The December 9-18 SEA Games clashes with the Miss World 2009 contest, which takes place in Johannesburg on December 12.