Carmelle clinches victory at inaugural Eurovision Song Contest Asia in Bangkok

The inaugural Eurovision Song Contest Asia concluded on Saturday at the One Bangkok Arena, with the Philippines taking first place. Nineteen‑year‑old singer Carmelle performed the song “Sobra‑Sobra,” a women’s‑empowerment anthem that combined pop vocals with a rap segment, and secured a total of 211 points, split between 93 jury points and 118 public votes.

Eleven nations participated in the competition, which followed a voting format similar to the European contest: half of the final score derived from national juries and the other half from public voting, with an additional “rest of the world” component. Thailand’s duo MANG x DAOU placed second with 170 points, while other acts such as Bangladesh’s Beatmosphere and Laos’s Thinla also attracted audience attention.

The event featured a lively atmosphere, with the Bangkok crowd cheering each performance. Thinla’s rendition of “Bae” was notable for being the last song heard before the voting due to a technical glitch that replayed her music video. The Bangladeshi beatbox group Beatmosphere performed without a backing track, using vocal percussion to emulate drums and basslines.

Former Eurovision winner Dara of Bulgaria made a guest appearance, performing her 2026 winning song “Bangaranga” and a new track titled “Bad Idea.” The presence of a past European champion highlighted the contest’s aim to link the new Asian edition with the broader Eurovision brand.

Organisers described the event as a celebration of musical diversity across Asia, emphasizing the blend of contemporary pop, traditional elements, and innovative stagecraft. The competition’s success is expected to pave the way for future editions, expanding the Eurovision format beyond its traditional European base.