ABSTRACT
The alliance with America, far removed from the way it was portrayed prior to 1958, was now discussed in almost exclusively positive terms, and the ideological rationale of the Cold War from an American perspective dominated internal discussions about the nation's internal priorities. A chance for international 'delegates' from over 50 countries to meet each other and form lasting friendships, it also provided American society with powerful assertions of a harmonised 'free world' community. While the world tour had established many of the narratives that prefaced Thailand's integration into an American-centred order, it was the victory of Apasra Hongsakula at Miss Universe that helped reinforce the idea Thailand had 'won' the recognition it deserved. Victories on the world stage such as that of Apasra were, in a similar way to the cultural spectacles that now littered the social calendar back in Bangkok, used to bolster claims that Thailand had now become an esteemed member of the 'free' world of nations.
