Modesty rule could force swimsuit posing lessons for Miss Cambodia

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) - The winner of a planned Miss Cambodia beauty pageant may have to take a crash course in swimsuit posing if she competes abroad, as the government has ruled out skimpy attire in contests at home, organizers said Friday.
Cambodia will hold its first Miss Cambodia competition in more than a decade starting in September, with the final to be held three months later, said Kem Tola, marketing manager for Planet Communication Ltd., a Cambodian events management company.

As a condition of holding the event, the government said contestants cannot take to the stage in swimsuits.

Contestants must be properly attired at all times "to preserve Cambodian culture," said Sim Sarak, a director-general of Cambodia's Culture Ministry.

"There will be no section for a swimsuit parade in the event because our country has not yet advanced to that level."

The winner will receive a prize equivalent to about $1,000 Cdn and likely be nominated to take part in next year's Miss Universe contest, said Kem Tola.

But to take part in such an international event, "we will have to meet all of its conditions, including the need to wear swimsuits," he said.

Because of the swimsuit ban at home, Miss Cambodia may need to learn how to pose in a swimsuit before going abroad, Kem Tola said.

"It is normal that before sending her off we will have to train her to get used to the requirements she'll have to meet," he said.

Kem Tola said he still hoped the government will change its mind, perhaps allowing swimsuits "that are not so revealing like in other countries."

Miss Cambodia competitions were held in 1993 and 1995, but not in the intervening period, as the government thought it was a waste of money, said Sim Sarak. He added that swimsuits were also banned from the earlier contests.

Cambodia is predominantly Buddhist and socially conservative. People normally do not talk openly about sex.

© The Canadian Press, 2006