Miss Thailand

Nikallaya Abdul

Nikallaya grew up in a small city named Amphur Muang, which has just received the UNESCO Award for a "City of Peace". After completing high school she attended Suansunantha University in Bangkok and gained a BA (Hons) in Accounting. In her final year she was very fortunate to be cast in the movie "Lob phee, phee mai lob" a comedy film about ghosts, it was a fun experience. Now she is back in her first year of her Masters of Education at Thornburi College, it is her ambition to eventually manage or own her own school or college. Nikallava feels very lucky in having been given a government grant to study and would like to be able to help others as she has been helped. In high school she was a drum major and lead the school band at special events, she can also juggle five sticks. In her leisure time she enjoys: drawing portraits, reading, singing, boxing and basketball. Her personal motto is "If you don’t set goals you’ll never achieve anything".


Where did you grow up? Tell us a little about your home town/city, and family.
I grew up in Yala, which is in the southern part of Thailand. The town is very beautiful, and recently received a UNESCO award for a "City of Peace". My childhood was run and full of warmth and love.

What Jobs have you done? What was the most interesting/bizarre?
It is not really a job, but it is something I will always remember. When I was younger I competed in an all-star basketball competition and after we won the competition we donated all our proceeds to the local underprivileged school. It didn’t mean much to us that we won, more so was the fact that we could give to the needy instead.

What are your career ambitions, how do you plan to realise them?
In the future I want to be involved in education, and more specifically having my own school or college. I believe that education especially in Thailand holds the key to a better future for us all.

What is the proudest moment of your life? (Not including winning your National Title)
I feel proud everyday to be a part of such a loving and caring family. Throughout my life I have witnessed a lot of struggle and hardship, but what has kept me strong is the togetherness of my family.

What was the funniest/most embarrassing moment of your life?
I competed in a beauty contest in Yala when I was a teenager, and when I received my prize on stage I went to collect it and hit my head on the ceiling, and my crown fell off. Everyone laughed except me!!

What was the funniest/most embarrassing moment of your life?
My life has changed because it has become more arranged. Every day I have to meet new and interesting people, and I find that I have less time for myself. I knew it would be like this, but it is challenging everyday.

Tell us about an interesting event you have attended, or a person that you have met.
I met Khun Metinee (Miss Thailand World 1992) and surprisingly she was very down to earth. Sometimes you assume that people will not talk to you because of their status, but she was friendly and welcoming. In the same vein, I would like to be like her.

What would you like to do, if you became Miss World 2004?
I would like to try and ensure that equal opportunities were actually available for all. As I mentioned earlier, education is the key and through education we can make the world a better place. When I was younger I received a grant from the local government to study, and had it not been for that I wouldn’t be where I am today.

If you had a personal motto what would it be?
If you don’t set goals you’ll never achieve anything!

Give details of any charitable work undertaken?
I recorded my story telling onto an audiotape and sent many copies to a local blind school. They were very appreciative of this gift and I like to feel that I have given something back to the community.

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