Thai star to wed former Miss Universe

Thai tennis hero Paradorn Srichaphan and former Miss Universe Natalie Glebova announced their engagement. Paradorn, 28, said he proposed to 25-year-old Glebova on April 13 while they were holidaying on the Indonesian resort island of Bali. 

Paradorn was long Asia's top-rated men's player and world's number 9 before sliding out of the world's top 50 for the first time in five years in 2006. 

Glebova, who won the 2005 Miss Universe title in a pageant held in Thailand, has since taken up residence in the kingdom and become a major celebrity. She has signed an endorsement deal to become a "brand ambassador" for the kingdom's Singha beer. The 25-year-old Russian-born Canadian, said that she met Paradorn last year while the two were visiting a Buddhist temple that runs a hospice for people with AIDS. "He's very compassionate to other people and open to them," she said. "He helps other people. That's why I love him." 

Paradorn draped her in a total of 16 carats in diamonds, including a three-carat engagement ring, along with a necklace and earrings given by his parents. He said they would probably tie the knot in November or December. Their announcement was carried live on every Thai television station.