PATTAYA, Thailand (Sept. 28, 2026) – A first journey to her mother’s homeland became a triumphant homecoming for Thai-American transgender woman Lo Colby, who was crowned Miss International Queen 2026 in Pattaya before celebrating the milestone with a stay at Meliá Pattaya Hotel.
Representing the United States, Hawaii-raised Colby took the crown at Tiffany’s Show Pattaya Theatre on September 19, triumphing over contestants from 26 other countries at the 20th edition of the international transgender pageant. Thailand’s Theerachaya Pimkitidaj was named first runner-up and Japan’s Saki Iwai second runner-up.
Colby is a first-generation Thai-American whose mother emigrated from Thailand to the United States. Her appearance at Miss International Queen marked her first visit to Thailand, giving her an opportunity to connect with her maternal heritage and experience her mother’s homeland.
Following the competition’s finale, Colby and fellow top-three titleholders Pimkitidaj and Iwai were welcomed to Meliá Pattaya Hotel, a partner of Miss International Queen 2026 and Tiffany’s Show Pattaya.
For Colby, her first morning as Miss International Queen began away from the stage with breakfast in bed in The Level Premium Sea View Room at the hotel, which debuted last year and pays homage to Pattaya’s ethnic diversity.
Colby is set to return to Meliá Pattaya Hotel to continue the celebrations with dinner for two at LAY Beach Club on Beach Road, which has already established a reputation as “the place to be” and features a “hydro bar”, an elegant cocktail pool surrounded by a white-sand area. The hotel stay and dining experience are part of the winner’s prize package.
“Lo’s story makes this year’s partnership particularly meaningful for us,” said Meliá Pattaya Hotel’s general manager Alexander Lopez. “To come to Thailand for the first time, reconnect with her Thai heritage and then be crowned Miss International Queen here in Pattaya is an extraordinary journey. We were honoured to welcome Lo, Theerachaya and Saki after the finale and to be part of those first moments of the celebration.”
Miss International Queen was established by Tiffany’s Show Pattaya as an international competition for transgender women and has grown into a global platform promoting transgender visibility and equality. The 2026 edition brought together representatives from 27 countries under the theme “The Evolving Legacy: Empower Every Voice.”
Colby’s victory also made pageant history. She succeeds fellow American Midori Monét, who won in 2025, making 2026 the first time the United States, or any country, has secured the Miss International Queen crown in consecutive years. Colby also won the competition’s Best in Talent award earlier in the week. Colby is an LGBTQIA+ advocate, entrepreneur, content creator and performer. Her advocacy includes economic and workplace empowerment for LGBTQIA+ people, and she serves as a spokesperson for ‘Negotiate Your Narrative’, an initiative offering professional development resources including career education, interview preparation and salary negotiation.
Meliá Pattaya Hotel’s collaboration with Tiffany’s Show Pattaya and Miss International Queen forms part of the hotel’s engagement with major events that bring international visitors and attention to Pattaya.
For more information or to make a booking at Meliá Pattaya Hotel, visit melia.com, email info.pattaya@melia.com or call +66 33 168 555.
About Meliá Hotels & Resorts
Meliá Hotels & Resorts is the best-known international brand in the portfolio of the Meliá Hotels International company; it has more than 100 city and resort hotels in the main leisure and business destinations of Europe, Asia, Africa and America. The brand offers exemplary meetings and events facilities in all important business cities as well as in exotic locations, catering to the ever-expanding conference and incentive travel market. As part of its innovation philosophy and new positioning, Meliá Hotels & Resorts has reinvented itself to cater to every aspect of the guests’ wellbeing. Unique experiences are created for guests and are defined by relaxation, quality time and personalised services. For a balanced lifestyle, Meliá Hotels & Resorts instinctively understands the guests’ needs and lifestyle expectations, which is an integral part of its redefined identity. Follow Meliá Hotels & Resorts on Twitter @MeliaHtlResorts, Facebook @Melia.Hotels and Instagram @meliahtlresorts. www.melia.com.
About Meliá Hotels International
Founded in 1956 in Mallorca (Spain), Meliá Hotels International operates more than 380 hotels (portfolio and pipeline) throughout more than 40 countries, under the brands Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts, Paradisus by Meliá, ME by Meliá, Meliá Hotels & Resorts, The Meliá Collection, INNSiDE by Meliá, Sol by Meliá, and Falcon’s Resorts by Meliá, plus a wide portfolio of affiliated hotels under the “Affiliated by Meliá” network. The Group is one of the leading companies in resort hotels worldwide, while also leveraging its experience to consolidate the growing segment of the leisure-inspired urban market. Its commitment to responsible tourism has led the Group to become the most sustainable hotel company in Spain and Europe, according to the last S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (Silver Class). It also has ranked seventh in the Wall Street Journal’s list of the 100 most sustainably managed companies in the world (and the leading travel company) and is the only Spanish travel company included in the list of “Europe’s Climate Leaders 2021” by Financial Times. Meliá Hotels International is also included in the IBEX 35 Spanish stock market. For more information, visit www.meliahotelsinternational.com.
About Asset World Corp Public Company Limited
Asset World Corp Public Company Limited (AWC), Thailand’s leading integrated lifestyle real estate group and a member of TCC Group, is redefining the country’s landscape of hospitality, commercial workspaces, and iconic lifestyle destinations with its diversified portfolio, strategically located in prime areas across the nation. Committed to creating new landmark projects that not only set new benchmarks for the industry but also strengthen Thailand’s position as a global sustainable tourism destination, AWC collaborates with world-renowned partners, including Marriott International, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Nobu Hospitality, Okura Hotels, Banyan Tree, Melia International, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Accor, and Hyatt, to deliver unforgettable experiences. Its portfolio features flagship commercial properties such as The Empire, Athenee Tower, Asiatique The Riverfront Destination, and Phenix, along with premier F&B destinations like ‘EA’ Rooftop at The Empire, offering world-class top cuisine. AWC is committed to delivering exceptional experiences while championing sustainability in every part of its operations to create long-term sustainable value for all stakeholders through initiatives under three key pillars of Better Planet, Better People, and Better Prosperity (3BETTERs), driving innovation and responsibility to inspire millions and elevate Thailand’s tourism and real estate industry to new heights. For more information, visit www.assetworldcorp-th.com/en/home.
A first journey to her mother’s homeland became a triumphant homecoming for Thai-American transgender woman Lo Colby, who was crowned Miss International Queen 2026 in Pattaya before celebrating the milestone with a stay at Meliá Pattaya Hotel.
Representing the United States, Hawaii-raised Colby (centre) took the crown at Tiffany’s Show Pattaya Theatre on September 19, triumphing over contestants from 26 other countries at the 20th edition of the international transgender pageant. Thailand’s Theerachaya Pimkitidaj was named first runner-up (left) and Japan’s Saki Iwai second runner-up (right).
Colby is a first-generation Thai-American whose mother emigrated from Thailand to the United States. Her appearance at Miss International Queen marked her first visit to Thailand, giving her an opportunity to connect with her maternal heritage and experience her mother’s homeland.
Following the competition’s finale, Colby and fellow top-three titleholders Pimkitidaj (pictured) and Iwai were welcomed to Meliá Pattaya Hotel, a partner of Miss International Queen 2026 and Tiffany’s Show Pattaya.
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