Cambodian government might have allowed the native damsels to compete for their beauty at Miss Cambodia Contest, provided that wear proper attire. The government has banned the beauties to wear swimming suits during the contest to "preserve Cambodian culture."

The country, which is holding its first Miss Cambodia competition after more than a decade, has ruled out skimpy attire in contests, organizers said Friday.

Sim Sarak, a director-general of Cambodia's Culture Ministry said that contestants of the beauty pageant starting September must be properly attired at all times "to preserve Cambodian culture."

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

The final of the contest will be held in December, said Kem Tola, marketing manager for Planet Communication Ltd., a Cambodian events management company.

The winner will receive a $969 prize and will likely be nominated to take part in next year's Miss Universe contest, Tola said. Because of the swimsuit ban at home, Miss Cambodia may need to learn how to pose in a swimsuit before going abroad, he said.

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

Cambodia is predominantly Buddhist and socially conservative country.