Areya Chanim Petchtone

From a young age, Areya Chanim Petchtone began participating in Thai-community charity events hosted frequently by Thai Buddhist temples. Whether it was traditional Thai dance on stage or small Pageants to raise money for the community, she participated in various events and soon became a well-known member of the Thai community in Los Angeles. She mainly spent her summers volunteering at the Youth Science Center, a Summer school focused on creating bonds with children and cultivating their creative minds in an enjoyable way. Areya is a chairperson of the Thai charitable association, "Ka Tiem", which works towards using their proceeds to create prosthetic legs for those who have lost them to war or medical circumstances. Since her crowning on November 9, 2013, she has been in various news segments, participated in fashion shows, and attended charities hosted by the Asian community. Petchtone walked the runway in the 40th annual Korean American Chamber of Commerce Black Tie Gala Dinner in her traditional Thai costume. She took part in the Mulligan Project, which aims to provide children in Vietnam with special education and therapy. She brought attention to another Thai charity, LA-to-Thailand, which collects clothing and other basic necessities to send to children in Thailand to keep them warm during the harsh winters. Petchtone, a Thai-American, established her goal in 2013 to proudly represent Thailand in the 2013 Miss Asia USA Pageant. Upon achieving victory, she was able to utilize her newly given title to greatly serve and inspire the Asian-American community. Areya was born in Bellflower, California, raised by her Thai emigrant parents. Petchtone is currently attending Grand Canyon University, working towards a Bachelor's degree in Nursing (BSN).