Location and date

Thailand anticipated holding the pageant as early as August 1991, when thousands of slum dwellers were evicted in order to improve the image of the city prior to a World Bank conference that was held in the city in October and the pageant.^[1]

The official announcement that Bangkok would host the pageant was made in December 1991, with the date initially set as 16 May.^[2] In March the date was moved back to 8 May so that it would not clash with Wisakha Bucha Day, a Buddhist holiday.^[3]

The pageant was held amidst a political crisis in Thailand that culminated on 17 May in the Black May protests against the government of General Suchinda Kraprayoon. The day prior to the event the public relations director expressed fears that the show might have to be cancelled if the situation escalated, although the threat was played down by other pageant officials.^[4]

Placements

Replacements

•  Israel — Eynat Zmora, who represented Israel, placed first runner-up in the Miss Israel pageant but was sent to Miss Universe because the winner, Ravit Asaf, was under the age restriction of 18 years.^[5]
•  CIS — Julia Etina, Miss CIS 1992, did not compete in Miss Universe 1992, due to the fact that she had turned 18 years old after February 1. Her first runner-up of Miss CIS 1992, Lydia Kuborskaya went to Miss Universe instead of her. However, Etina got an official visit to the United States as sort of a consolation prize for missing the big event.^[6][7][8]
•  Ireland — Jane Thompson, who represented Ireland, replaced Amanda Brunker, who was Miss Ireland 1991, due to the fact that Brunker was underaged before 1 February. However, Thompson was from Belfast in Northern Ireland.
•  Republic of China — Wu Pei Jun, Miss Universe Republic of China 1992, was underaged before 1 February. Her first runner-up, Liu Yu Hsin couldn't go either due to her health problems. So the chance was given to her second runner-up, Vivian Shih Hsiu Chieh, who went to the pageant instead.^[9]
•  Spain - Sofia Mazagatos, Miss España 1991, did not compete due to the fact that she was underaged before 1 February. Her first runner-up, Virginia García went instead of her.^[10] Mazagatos went only to Miss Europe 1992 pageant.

Withdrawals

•  Belize
•  Ghana
•  Hong Kong — Amy Kwok was expected to represent Hong Kong and even arrived in Bangkok, but was disqualified because she did not meet residency requirements. Kwok was a US resident who became the first overseas contestant to win the Miss Hong Kong title. The same issue came up again in Miss Universe 1996 when the winner Winnie Yeung was also a US citizen and she was disqualified. The 1st runner up in the pageant, Sofie Rahman was her replacement.^[11]
•  Italy - Gloria Zanin, Miss Italia 1992 rejected to compete at Miss Universe 1992 in order to boost her career as an actress and model locally. Therefore, this is Italy's first ever withdrawal at Miss Universe since its exception in 1952, they would only withdrew again in 2006.
•  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - Lack of Sponsorship.
•  Soviet Union – Collapsed in 1991, split into fifteen countries. The titleholder of Miss USSR 1991, Ilmira Shamsuttinova later competed in 1996 as Miss Russia.^[12]
•  Trinidad and Tobago – Rachel Charles was underage before 1 February. She competed in 1993 instead.
•  Yugoslavia – Due to the breakup in April, also wars and political crisis. Returned in 1998.