A design inspired by the iconic tuk-tuk, a three-wheeler auto rickshaw, will be used as Thailand’s national costume at the Miss Universe 2015 pageant in December in the United States.
The winning design, Tuk-tuk Thailand, was chosen from 356 entries and was created by Hirankrit Pattaraboriboonkul, 35, an official at the Culture Ministry. 
The winning design, tuk-tuk Thailand, will be worn in the national costume section of the Miss Universe 2015 in the US. Photo from Miss Universe Thailand (Fan Page).
Mr Hirankrit said he expected the new organiser of the Miss Universe pageant would expect new things on the stage, so he decided to put pop-art into the design, utilising 3-D technology.
The tuk-tuk is one of the symbols of Thailand so the design was similar to the Thai contestant standing in front of the tuk-tuk, that comes with handlebars and a headlight to make her stand out on the stage, he said.
Panya Vijinthanasarn from the Faculty of Painting, Sculpture and Graphic Arts of Silapakorn University and a member of the selection committee, said the concept of the winning design entered a new dimension that represented modern-day Thailand.
"The tuk-tuk is something close to the people and foreigners know about it, but the designer and the costume producer have to work together to add an aspect of Thainess, such as using traditional art in the design," he said.
Miss Universe Thailand 2015 Aniporn Chalermburanawong, who will compete in the pageant, said the winning design was outstanding. The tuk-tuk was a vehicle that most foreigners visiting Thailand knew well, and she believed people would certainly recognise that she was from Thailand.
Along with the winning design, here are the eight finalists on the shortlist for Miss Thailand to wear this year.
