IN a showing Sacha Baron Cohen's character Borat would have been proud of, Pierre Meesemaeckel stunned shoppers in Cairns when he strolled through the city wearing nothing but a lurid green mankini yesterday.

Flanked by fellow French language school students, the brave Bruno look-alike and Borat imitator, who will celebrate his 18th birthday today, donned his skimpy attire as it was his last day of his two-month visit to Cairns.

But he said it wasn’t a dare from his mates, he just wanted to mark his departure in a spectacular fashion.

Mankini man in action in Cairns

"I wanted to do something crazy," Mr Meesemaeckel said. "It’s also an early birthday celebration.

"People are amazed but it’s just for fun."

A chilled Mr Meesemaeckel, who will study economics on his return to his homeland, said he was looking forward to getting back with his girlfriend.

Asked what her reaction would be to his near-nude wanderings, he said: "She knows I sometimes do crazy things, she will be cool with it."

But she better watch out as there were many admiring mademoiselles in his entourage of 20.

"I like his body," Alix Dumas said.

She said while the group found his antics funny and gave Mr Meesemaeckel their full support, no one else would be joining in by doing similar things.

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