Thailand to host Miss Universe 2005 contest in May

Asian Economic News, March 7, 2005

BANGKOK, March 3 Kyodo

A Thai consortium signed an agreement with Miss Universe Inc. on Thursday for Thailand to host a Miss Universe beauty contest in Bangkok in May.

The three-week event will be staged by the DTC Group, comprising the Channel 7 television station, its production arm and an advertising company. Miss Universe President Paula Shugart signed the contract with her Thai partners.

The Thai government has approved a $6.5 million budget for the Tourism Authority of Thailand to support the beauty contest, which is expected to be telecast worldwide and seen by 1 billion viewers, Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop told a news conference prior to witnessing the contract signing.

Thailand expects the event will help revive tourism especially in the country's south, which was devastated by the Dec. 26 Indian Ocean tsunami.

Contestants from 88 countries have confirmed their participation in the beauty contest, according to Tom Kruesopon, a spokesman for Miss Universe 2005.

Thai women have twice won the Miss Universe crown, in 1965 and 1988. Bangkok hosted the contest in 1992.