Beauty queens can expect algebra test

They must be putting something in the water. The beauties vying to become Miss Thailand Universe have bigger brains these days.
The application deadline lapsed on Sunday with 250 names on the list of hopefuls aiming for the Thai crown, Bt1 million in cash and a Toyota to drive it around in, not to mention a chance to compete for the Miss Universe title.
Grabbing a sizeable segment of the media’s attention is Kemikawaralee “Ked” Palangkul, daughter of the late popular singer Itti Palangkul. She’s studying communication arts at Sripathum University. “I want to gain more experience and develop my abilities by learning from this contest,” Ked said. We’re pretty sure she’ll get that, at least.
Ked filed her application accompanied by her good-looking mum Chayada, who was Miss Photogenic in the 1957 Visutkasat Songkran Beauty Pageant.
The mainstream media and their trusty sidekicks the social media – complete with an official Facebook page – are also taken with Chalita “Ta” Yamwannanag, who has a master’s degree from Bournemouth University in the UK.
Ta happens to be drop-dead gorgeous and sounds like a favourite to make it at least to the Thai finals after the contestants are narrowed down to 44.
It seems that more university-trained babes are entering the pageant every year. Tanaporn Pohtatip is another. She’s studying political science at Chiang Mai University (and you know what happens when pretty girls from Chiang Mai get into politics). Other young contenders from the North have or will soon have degrees in pharmacy and engineering as well.
The country’s various international programmes are making their contributions, such as 20-year-old Wannarak “Amy” Boonsakulcharoen. She’s deep into social science at Thammasat University.
The organisers of the Miss Universe Thailand pageant have tried and failed to manufacture a set of scales that the judge could use to weigh each contestant’s beauty versus brains. Regardless, watching the final round on May 11 should be a real education. Channel 5 will be broadcasting live from the Royal Paragon Hall at Siam Paragon.