Why are you people say we should protect our "culture", when we already don't have one? Answer these questions first, before crying out for such an insignificant matter.
If we had a culture that is worth saving, why is that,
1. we are not a self sufficient nation? (we used to even export rice when we had our own culture!)
2. there is violence everywhere? (people only say they are Buddhists just for the label, but SL is on top of the list with regard to this matter! So much for our so called "culture" LOL)
3. our economy is so poor? (we used to have a very strong economy when we had our own culture!)
4. a girl/woman can't walk alone on the road at night without hesitation?
and this is just the icing of the cake. There are much more mishaps and ugly things in this country than anywhere else in the world.
I also agree that these pageants are useless, not because they wear swimsuits, but because all that money and effort could be used to give a hand to all these poor people, and let them enjoy life.