[Nicke]

PHUKET, May 20 (TNA) – Miss Universe contestants vistied Thailand's southern resort province of Phuket yesterday, witnessing that the kingdom is recovering from the December tsunami.

The contestants from 80 nations, gathering in Thailand for this year’s Miss Universe contest, were given a warm welcome in Phuket, which received much-publicized damage during the tsunami last December.

After watching a show put on by Phuket Fantasea, the young women fanned out across the island’s beaches, where they were able to see for themselves the warning towers constructed to issue timely warnings should further disasters occur in the future.

The contestants also donated Bt12 million to tsunami survivors at Patong Hospital, before returning to Bangkok in the evening.

Partly selected as host of this year’s Miss Universe by the organizers of the contest for the fact that it needs a publicity boost following the tsunami, Thailand is keen to use the competition to help restore foreign tourists' confidence. (TNA)