THE Phuket story will be ''The Beauties and the Beach'' by the time European viewers see the adventures of the Miss Belgium 2010 competitors later this year.

Twenty participants and their media entourage will be seen around the island and Phang Nga over the next week, having fun as they find the most delightful settings for showing off Thailand tourism.

The Belgians are staying at the Cape Panwa Hotel, where they met the local media at a press conference yesterday. Coming up, elephant rides, Phang Nga Bay sailing, Thai cooking lessons and a week of other holiday fun.