Miss Thailand World resigned because of provocative photos

Seeking to end to lurid speculation about why she resigned as Miss Thailand World, 21-year-old Angela McKay said Tuesday that contest organizers had pressured her to step down due to provocative photos taken for her modeling portfolio before the competition.

McKay, raised in Australia by her Australian father and Thai-born mother, previously said she was giving up her crown because she hadn't realized how much time she would be expected to commit to the role.

But as she announced her resignation last week, after holding the title for just 10 days, speculation was already rife that some hidden scandal lay behind her decision.

In the past few days, several Thai newspapers have published nude photos, purportedly of her. Copies circulated widely on the Internet.

Speaking at a news conference Tuesday, McKay indicated the nude photos were not of her, but acknowledged that she had posed for photos in tight outfits, according to the AP.

She said the Thai pageant organizer, BEC-TERO Entertainment PLC., had suggested she step down, and indicated that a disagreement over money had played a part.

"They advised me that my pictures that I had taken previously to entering were too rude and were unfit for somebody to be Miss Thailand World, so they asked me to resign," she said.

McKay said BEC-TERO wasn't willing to provide sufficient financial support for her year as Miss Thailand World.

T.E.