Bangkok, Thailand no more...Miss Earth 2011 returns home to Manila, Philippines

The culprit...the flooding in Thailand which has already reached Bangkok.

Because of the non-stop flooding in Thailand which has already affected the capital of Bangkok, the Thai organizers of Miss Earth 2011 have decided to scrap their hosting of the pageant this year. As a result, the environment-focused competition will be brought back to the Philippines which will now scramble to make a decent last-minute organization of the 2011 edition. The new date of the finals will be December 4, 2011.

Here is the letter sent by Carousel Productions to all contestants and national directors:

“We have tried to remain optimistic about the situation in Thailand but day after day, the flood continues to engulf more portions of the country including its capital, Bangkok, where Miss Earth 2011 is scheduled to be held. Factories are shutting down and millions have been displaced from their work and homes. We understand and sympathize with the unfortunate and difficult situation Bangkok is undergoing especially after the Thai government recently declared indefinite holidays for everyone’s safety. Thai officials estimate it might take 4-6 weeks for the floods to recede and recovery could take months, if not years.

To continue to hold Miss Earth in Bangkok would be very insensitive and irresponsible on our part. Accordingly, we have decided to change the venue of Miss Earth 2011 from Bangkok, Thailand to where it all started: the Philippines. We are at this very moment planning and lining up meaningful activities for you that will be true to our mission as beauties for a cause. In our workshops, we shall discuss these natural calamities and what we can do to control their effects on our respective countries.”

So there…Miss Earth is back where it originally belongs.