Thimphu: Tshokey Tshomo Karchung, a 24-year-old graduate whose interests range from painting on canvas to modern digital art and video, has been crowned as the first Miss Bhutan.

Karchung also walked away with two other titles - Miss Talented and Miss Photogenic at the contest held this weekend and judged by seven distinguished personalities including model-turned-Bollywood actor Kelly Dorji and former Miss Thailand and actress Onwarin Osathanond.

 "I kept every confidence to compete and I am so relieved," said Karchung after being crowned by Osthanond. She will be representing the country at the Miss Earth 2008 in Philippines and Miss Young International in Taiwan.

Among other prizes, Karchung took home a cash award of Nu 0.1 million (Bhutanese currency). The finals had five rounds - traditional dress round, evening gown round (using Bhutanese textiles), express yourself round, talent round and Q A round.

There was no swimsuit round. Held for the first time, 77 contestants from across the country registered for Miss Bhutan 2008,hosted by Miss Bhutan Organization. The preliminary round short listed for the main event 20 contestants.

Source : PTI