Renowned painter Panya Vijinthanasarn, acclaimed author Chamaiporn Sangkrachang and Patravadi "Khru Lek" Mejudhon, founder of now-defunct Patravadi Theatre, headlined a talented ballot of Thais today named national artists.
The 12, representing the fields of visual, literary and performing arts, were honoured as national artists by the Ministry of Culture.
The group will be presented with royal trophies and badges from Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on Feb 24, National Artists Day.
Mr Panya, an art lecturer from Silpakorn University's Faculty of Painting, Sculpture and Graphic Arts, is renowned for his murals at Suvarnabhumi Airport and his signature “gazing down” Buddha.
Mrs Patravadi is a famous actress, director and playwright known as one of the most-respected performing arts trainers in Thailand. She founded the Patravadi Theatre in Bangkok in 1992, which became known for its outdoor stage, large-scale theatre and well-trained performers in various arts. The theatre closed after being inundated by massive floods in late 2011. She later founded Patravadi High School in Hua Hin, a boarding school that integrates arts into its curriculum and the students' daily life.
Mrs Chamaiporn is former president of the Writers' Association of Thailand. She started writing in the late 1970s and has since collected a number of literary awards.