Miss Universe contest expected to be boon to Thai tourism.

(From Thai Press Reports)

Section: General News - More than 65,000 international tourists and media representatives are expected to descend on Thailand this May, spending some Bt2 billion when the country hosts the Miss Universe Beauty Contest 2005, said Tourism and Sport Minister Sontaya Kumplome, The Nation reports.

Of those expected to come, about 3,000 will be Miss Universe employees, around 1,000 media personnel, and some 60,000 tourists, the minister said yesterday.

"We are expecting the country to receive some Bt2 billion in May alone," Sontaya said, adding that the international event should help boost tourism which has suffered in the …