Brown-haired and blue-eyed Glebova, a 23-year-old motivational speaker, was born in Russia but emigrated to Toronto as a young girl. She won the beauty pageant ahead of Puerto Rico's Cynthia Olavarria, who was first runner-up.

"I feel like this is all happening too fast and it's unreal," a breathless Glebova told reporters as she waved a Canadian flag.

"I am so much looking forward to the year ahead."

Eighty-one women took part in the glitzy event, which paused for a moment of silence for victims of the tsunami that caused massive death and destruction in 11 Indian Ocean countries including Thailand in December.

The women took to the stage at an arena in suburban Bangkok in the early morning so the event could be broadcast live to a Monday evening audience in the Americas.

Glebova beat out Olavarria, second runner-up Renata Sone of the Dominican Republic, third runner-up Laura Elizondo of Mexico and Monica Spear of Venezuela.

She was chosen by a panel of 12 judges, who included six Americans, and Miss Universe 2004 Jennifer Hawkins of Australia. Bookmakers had ranked women from Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as Glebova, as favorites to take the coveted crown.

Glebova, who won hearts in the audience by saying "thank you" in Thai and pressing her palms together in a traditional Thai "wai", said being thrust into the spotlight could serve as inspiration for other immigrants around the world.

Immigration "gives people an opportunity to start a new life just like my family," she said as her blushing parents stood by on stage.

"When we came 11 years ago we came with nothing and now we have so, so much. Canadians have embraced me as one of their own."

The early minutes of the show suggested an intriguing inter-regional showdown, with the United States, Israel and the world's largest Muslim nation Indonesia reaching the final 15.

Artika Sari Devi was the first contestant from Indonesia in almost a decade, since its last competitor dared to show up at the swimwear event, incurring a ban from then dictator Suharto.

Her participation drew criticism from conservative Muslims at home, and she opted for a one-piece bathing suit instead of a bikini at the preliminary events.

In the end, the pageant settled into its familiar domination by Latin Americans.

Producers insisted the show, suffering from sagging ratings in the United States, would be more glamorous this year, but the silliness crept in.

Co-host Nancy O'Dell, a US television personality, was driven on stage in a three-wheeled "tuk tuk", a local taxi. Her show partner Billy Bush -- a cousin of US President George W. Bush -- rode an Asian elephant through the black-tie crowd.

The US-run competition came to Thailand five months after giant waves devastated coastlines around the Indian Ocean and killed more than 217,000 people. About 5,400 died in Thailand, half of them foreign holidaymakers, and more than 2,800 remain missing.

In a "moment of respect", about 5,000 guests held up small lights to represent a candle-filled sea.

"We couldn't do the show without having a moment of remembrance," Paula Shugart, president of the Miss Universe Organization, told AFP. "One message that needs to come across is that Thailand has moved on."

Contestants showcased Thailand's recovery from the tsunami, which the government hopes will lure back tourists who have been slow to return.

"I think it was worth hosting the pageant," Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who delayed a cabinet meeting to attend the spectacle, said when asked about the more than six-million-dollar cost of hosting the event.

"It will be positive for tourism."

The pageant is co-owned by US broadcaster NBC and New York property tycoon Donald Trump.

The United States has produced the most winners with seven, while Puerto Rico and Venezuela each have four crowns.

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