LONDON, UK – The crown for the third season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World has been claimed by Thai performer Gawdland. The 24-year-old queen was named the winner during Tuesday’s finale, making her the first contestant from Asia to win this edition of the international all-stars competition.
Gawdland, whose real name is Tharathep Thaweephon, secured the title after the show's 'Ultimate Lip Sync Smackdown' format. The final four included a diverse international lineup: Kate Butch from the UK, Fontana from Sweden, and Mariah Balenciaga from the United States. The competition culminated in a final lip sync battle between Gawdland and Kate Butch to the Kylie Minogue track, “What Do I Have To Do?”, after which RuPaul declared the Thai queen the winner.
Gawdland's victory is a notable moment for the visibility of Asian drag artists on the franchise's global platform. The win also prevented a third consecutive victory for a UK-based queen in this specific international format. Throughout the eight-week season, Gawdland was a consistent frontrunner, earning praise for runway presentations and performances that frequently incorporated elements of Thai culture.
Following her win, Gawdland acknowledged the broader impact of her new title. In a social media post, she stated the victory represented "a new page in the story of Asian drag excellence," framing her personal achievement as a collective one for the community.
Path to the Crown
Viewers were first introduced to Gawdland on the third season of Drag Race Thailand in 2024. Her performance on that series led to her casting in UK vs The World, where she competed against queens from the UK, Sweden, the United States, the Philippines, Germany, Mexico, and France.
Accepting her sceptre on stage, Gawdland offered a simple piece of advice to the audience: "The world is your oyster - be crazy!"
