BANGKOK – Filipino singer Carmelle claimed victory Saturday at the inaugural Asian edition of the Eurovision Song Contest with a fiery rendition of her dance-pop track “Sobra-Sobra.”
Carmelle topped 10 other finalists in the grand finale in Thailand’s capital. The result was determined by a combined vote from national juries in participating countries and viewers worldwide.
Thai duo Mang x Daou finished runner-up after delivering an energetic performance of the romantic pop song “Aroma.” Vietnam’s Tóc Tiên took third place, winning attention with a polished, upbeat staging of “Em Tiên.”
The performers were unveiled individually as they rode onto the stage in tuk-tuks, the motorized three-wheeled vehicles widely associated with Bangkok’s tourist areas. Waving their national flags, they were greeted by loud cheers from thousands of fans inside the city-center venue.
Bulgarian singer Dara, who won the 70th Eurovision Song Contest earlier this year in Vienna, appeared as a special guest and performed her song “Bangaranga.”
Although the European contest aims to keep music separate from politics, it has repeatedly been affected by international conflicts. Russia was expelled in 2022 following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The competition has also faced tensions over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, prompting protests outside venues and tighter restrictions on political flag-waving.
Five longtime participants — Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland and Slovenia — boycotted this year’s event to protest Israel’s participation.
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