A bevy of Thai bar girls, health officials and a transvestite blew up condoms and paraded for a different kind of honor -- the title of "Miss Condom Asia-Pacific."

Featuring 20 contestants from four different nations, the contest aims to promote safe sex in Thailand -- a country on the frontline in the war against HIV/AIDS in Asia.

But instead of twirling batons or warbling show tunes, "Miss Condom" competitors wowed the judges with their condom-blowing prowess and knowledge about the virus, which has infected over seven million people across the region.

"They can understand (condoms). They play with them and there's no value judgment," said Senator Mechai Viravaidya, known as "Mr. Condom" for his work in promoting AIDS awareness in Thailand.

"It's education plus entertainment," said Mechai, adding that the 20-year-old contest still helps to remove the stigma of condom use in a nation still ruled by conservative social mores.

Thailand, where infection rates are falling after a campaign to promote condoms among commercial sex workers, is one of the region's rare success stories.

While infection rates are far lower in Asia than in southern Africa, the global epicenter of the disease, the Asia-Pacific region could account for 40 percent of new infections by 2010 if prevention efforts are not stepped up.

"COPS AND RUBBERS"

Held in a loud, sprawling entertainment block with bars named "G-Spot" and "Hollywood Strip," the pageant lured punters from as far away as Zimbabwe, the Philippines and Cambodia.

Judged on their safe sex knowledge and onstage poise, they blew up condoms and danced to Thai country tunes on a makeshift stage as a man wearing green condom suit cavorted nearby.

A Zimbabwean health official, who bested her rivals in the condom-blowing contest, said events such as "Miss Condom" put Thailand ahead of other developing nations in AIDS prevention.

"I think they are very advanced," said Josephine Moyo, who works for Partners Secretariat, a non-governmental organization in Bangladesh. "They've demonstrated leadership in this area. People should learn from Thailand."

Mechai, known for 1990s campaigns such as "cops and rubbers," which involved police handing out condoms to drivers in traffic jams, said increased condom use reduced new infections in Thailand to 20,000 last year from 200,000 in 1991.

Praween Payapvipapong, vice-president of the Population and Community Development Association (PDA), said campaigners usually targeted places with a high concentration of sex workers.

"Thai men don't like to use (condoms). They say it's not natural," said Praween. "So we ask women to help us. Either they ask their partner to use it, use a female condom, or reject sex."

This year's "Miss Condom" title -- and a 1,000 baht ($25) cash prize -- went to 20-year-old bar girl Pairin Pongprasert, who was crowned amid shouts and screams from her co-workers.

"I am very excited right now," she said, blinking as camera bulbs flashed. "I didn't expect to win." Not everyone was elated. The only transvestite contestant, 27-year-old Lek, said she had been misled.

"I thought it was just going to be judged on beauty," Lek huffed, her arms crossed. "Who wants to blow up condoms?"

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