Two students in their fourth year of Chinese studies at Thammasat University's Pridi Banomyong International College (PBIC) and the Panyapiwat Institute of Management, have emerged winners of the inaugural inter-university Chinese song contest.
The PBIC Chinese Song Contest drew 35 contestants from 15 universities and two secondary schools across Bangkok and Nonthaburi. The high number of applicants shows that demand to display student's Chinese singing skills is indeed strong. It also shows that the pursuit of Chinese programmes, especially Chinese for business, is popular among young people preparing to enter the job market.
The contest, conceived at PBIC, was held in recognition of the importance of music and singing in the learning of Chinese and other foreign languages. Contestants were judged on their pronunciation of Chinese, musical skill and ability to convey the song's mood, among other criteria.
Although contestants mainly performed solo, there was also a quartet and three duo performances. Contestants mainly performed love songs, with costumes ranging from T-shirts and blue jeans, to suits for the men, and cheongsam for women.
In response to widespread demand, PBIC named two winners, one for non-PBIC applicants and another for PBIC students. Thanyachanok Moonninta, with the song Mai Kuan Klah-harn (Shouldn't Be Brave), was the winner for PBIC, while Janejira Thaweeapiladeethongkom took the top prize for Panyapiwat Institute of Management.
Jeetanut U-sila, a second year student from Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Education, who sang and moved like Elvis Presley, managed to win the honourable mention prize. A pair of students from Thammasat University's Faculty of Law, Suwicha Vijitpornkul and Pattapol Promkhong, won the popular vote for singing a number that translates as Rak Yim (Love Smiles) made famous by Taiwanese singer Jay Zhou.
Contestants came from a variety of universities and institutions, including ABAC, Rangsit, Siam, Silpakorn, The Regent School and the Anglo-Singapore International School.
