RAYONG — Giftza Piya Pongkulapa, a former member of the popular Thai girl group Girly Berry, has won the Miss Universe Rayong 2026 crown, earning the right to represent Rayong at Miss Universe Thailand 2026.
The result drew attention from both pageant fans and longtime followers of the singer, who rose to fame as part of one of Thailand’s best-known girl groups of the 2000s.
Her victory marks another major step in her transition from entertainment to the pageant stage, after she announced her intention to seriously pursue the crown. The move has been met with strong support from fans, many of whom have followed her career for years.
Giftza, whose real name is Piya Pongkulapa, was born on 3 October 1984. She became widely known as a member of Girly Berry, one of the most successful Thai girl groups of the 2000s, before later moving into acting, hosting and business.
She graduated from Satriwitthaya School before earning a bachelor’s degree from the Faculty of Fine Arts, majoring in acting and directing, at Srinakharinwirot University. She later pursued a master’s degree at Thammasat University.
Although many still remember her as a pop singer, her pageant run has offered another look at her public presence, confidence, communication skills and long experience in the entertainment industry.
From girl group star to provincial pageant winner, Giftza’s next challenge will be Miss Universe Thailand 2026, where she will compete for the national crown and a chance to continue on the path to the Miss Universe stage.