Pattaya will help celebrate Chinese New Year with a beauty contest featuring women in body-hugging Qipao dresses Feb. 2.
City councilman Rattanachai Sutidechanai and Central Festival General Manager Teerapon Jitnawa announced the mandarin dress competition Jan. 10.
The “year of the snake” celebration marks 46 years of relations between Thailand and China and, city officials hope, will promote Chinese tourism to Pattaya. A traditional Chinese show will be held by the Pattaya Star Academy.
Officials and sponsors announce the Miss Qipao contest to be held at Central Festival Pattaya Beach.
“The Chinese New Year Festival is one of the most important festive events in Thailand and has always been a major attraction to foreign tourists,” Rattanachai said. “The Miss Qipao pageant is a great activity, especially before reaching the Chinese New Year, which enhances the tourism market of Pattaya.”
Qipao dresses, more commonly called “cheongsam,” are snug, one-piece dresses won by both men and women in China. However, the stylish and often tight-fitting qipao is most often associated today with those created in the 1920s in Shanghai and made fashionable by socialites and upper-class women.
First prize in the pageant to be held at Central Festival will carry a 30,000 baht prize and gifts worth another 30,000 baht. Contestants will be judged not only on their attire, but talent as well. The pageant is open to girls and women ages 15-25. For more information, see Facebook.com/missqipaocontest or call 038-730-844. Contestants can register through Feb. 2.
