Urata, who partnered Chiaki Kusuhara to victory in the recent Asian Beach Volleyball Invitation in Phatthalung, was invited by Songkhla Governor Somporn Chaibangyang to join in the beauty contest. The other three contestants were Aussies Joanna Healy and Heike Jensen and New Zealander Micah Brown, but both Australians pulled out shortly after entering.

Although Urata and Brown did not stand out when they were competing on the sand courts, both received a big round of applause when they appeared on stage in beach gear - they were pretty and gave friendly smiles. To no one's astonishment, Brown won the Miss Photogenic Award, while Urata took third place. - The Nation.

Paradorn's new shirt is a hit

When Thai tennis star Paradorn Srichaphan first wore his new Super Hero-like blue shirt that was especially designed for him and him only, he had doubts that he would survive the reviews in the media and the reaction of his fans. The skin-tight outfit which focuses on his masculine body came at the same time as a series of first round exits and at one point the superstitious Thai player asked his sponsor if he could switch to another outfit.

"I was winless for five matches in a row. But my sponsor said I have to keep wearing it because a lot of promotional campaigns had been done. But after a while, people began to catch on with it and it has become my trademark," said Paradorn, who no longer puts on his famous lucky red shirt before a victory as he did three years ago. "Normally I wear a jacket over the shirt off court and when I'm about to play, I remove the jacket. As soon as the fans see it, they scream. The foreign fans really like it," added the tennis star, who admitted he has to be very careful with his diet to look good in the shirt. - The Nation.

Barnes caught offside with no passport

One of the most important things to carry while travelling aboard is a passport. But a former Liverpool star John Barnes, who was in Pattaya last week for the World Foot Volley Tournament, lost not only his passport, but also his wife's and children's. When he and his family arrived at their hotel, he was asked for the family's passports at the hotel reception and then realised he had left them in the van they had travelled in.

Although Barnes was a VIP guest, he and his family had to wait in the hotel lobby until his van driver found their passports and delivered them. If the driver had not found the passports, the Barnes family would have had to settle down in Thailand for a while. Every the most recognised celebrities in the world cannot get in or out of a country without a passport. - The Nation.

Nong Orn to tie the knot

After weightlifter Udomporn Polsak astonished her fans by appearing on television commercials with Jessadaporn Pholdee, one of the country's most popular actors, the Athens Olympics heroine will surprise them again after her decision to marry former weightlifter Chairat Lorprakarnsith next year. Udomporn, better known as Nong Orn, and Chairat have known each other since they trained together in the national squad. Their relationship has been going strong for seven years.

At first Nong Orn, who has retired from the national weightlifting squad, planned to marry the man who was once named as the best junior athlete by the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) in the next four years. However, she has now decided to marry him next year. She said she just pitied the 27-year-old, who has been patiently waiting for her. "I spent five days making my final decision and I decided to get married. I'm afraid that our long relationship as lovers will change into friends instead," she said. - The Nation.

Shearer's good enough to bottle

Despite deciding to retire at the end of the season, Newcastle star Alan Shearer will always be around for his fans - perhaps not on the pitch, but on a bottle. To honour Shearer's achievements, the Scottish and Newcastle brewery have released a limited edition of about 2.5 million bottles featuring Shearer's face on the front of the Newcastle Brown Ale, the BBC reported.

The bottles went on sale in pubs and clubs in the UK from Monday. On the back of the bottle, a tribute is made to Shearer's scoring feats.

It is the first time in the brew's 79-year history that a celebrity has featured on the packaging. - The Nation.