Students win snow sculpture prizes

Students win snow sculpture prizes

Students and teachers from Ubonratchathani Vocational College pose with their winning work at the snow sculpture contest in Harbin, China on Saturday. (Facebook photo/Monruedee Suwannagut)
Students and teachers from Ubonratchathani Vocational College pose with their winning work at the snow sculpture contest in Harbin, China on Saturday. (Facebook photo/Monruedee Suwannagut)

Thai vocational students have grabbed first prize and four more awards in the 9th International Collegiate Snow Sculpture Contest which ended on Saturday in Harbin, China.

The winning sculpture, entitled Water–Fish–Paddy Field–Rice, was created by a four-member team from Ubonratchathani Vocational College in the northeastern province of Ubon Ratchathani.  

The work, inspired by the late King’s development projects, won the Top Grade Award and is Thailand's eighth successive championship title at the contest which was held on Jan 4-7 and attracted 57 teams from 13 countries.

The team consisting of Por Wor Chor 2 students (equivalent to Grade 11 in secondary school) of fine arts -- Panudej Dejsrima, Nattaporn Chaiyo, Korawit Thanamai and Athip Rayayoi -- participated in the competition for the first time and their mentors were Surachart Palasak and Pisit Ousirikulpanich.

Mr Surachart said the team’s entry was based on the adage "Nai Nam Mee Pla Nai Na Mee Kao" (there is fish in the waters, rice in the fields) to connote Thailand's natural abundance. It honoured the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s vision to breed and distribute pla nil (Nilotica or Nile River fish) from Japan to Thais 50 years ago to solve nutritional problems among villagers in rural areas, and help agriculturalists and farmers make a living. (continued below)

Thai students' winning snow sculture, "Water–Fish–Paddy Field–Rice". (Facebook photo/Monruedee Suwannagut).

“The students braved the minus 25 degrees Celsius weather and worked day and night to try to complete the work within the given time,” Mr Suchart said. “Our work probably won because of the unique Lai Thai drawing pattern in the fish and water currents which make them look delicate and beautiful.”

Two other Thai teams took home four more awards from the same competition. 

Suratthani Vocational College from Surat Thani province was awarded second place for an ice sculpture named Sufficiency Economy, and Bangkok-based Saowabha Vocational College won third place, plus Best Skill and the Popular Vote for a work themed The Heart of Thailand.

The Thai teams are scheduled to return to Thailand at 6pm on Sunday. 

Suratthani Vocational College’s second-place winning sculpture, “Sufficiency Economy”. (Facebook photo/Suratthani Vocational College).

Saowabha Vocational College’s third-place winning sculpture, “The Heart of Thailand”. (Facebook photo/Suratthani Vocational College).

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT (5)