Beauties for Bangla

PHUKET: Some 44 contestants in the 2005 Miss Thailand Universe competition will arrive in Phuket on March 17 for a one-week stay on the island. The visit is intended to help bring tourists back to Phuket in the aftermath of the tsunami.

When not out promoting tourism, the Thai beauties will be cloistered at the Kata Beach Resort.

Resort owner Pamuke Achariyachai thanked Thai TV Channel 7 for sponsoring the beauties’ stay and expressed confidence that the publicity would help bring tourists back to the island.

Those hoping to catch a glimpse of the Miss Universe competitors can do so during tentatively planned visits to Wat Chalong, the Phuket Governor’s Office, Laem Promthep, the Phuket Special School, the Phuket Home for the Elderly, Phuket FantaSea, Loma Park and Patong’s infamous Soi Bangla.

Times and dates of these visits have yet to be announced.