Clinching international titles for veteran Thai ice sculptors Kusol Bunkobsongserm, Amnoaysak Srisuk and Kitsana Wongtes is not just a moment of national pride. It's also an opportunity to highlight the rich talent Thailand possess in this unusual field of art.
Kusol, Amnoaysak and Kitsana were recently crowned winners at the 46th International Snow Sculpture Contest in Sapporo, Japan. They chiselled an ice figurine of Siamese fighting fish, or betta fish -- a species declared just last month as Thailand's national marine creature -- to grab the coveted gold medal, their fourth as a team since coming together for this event seven years ago.
Sculpting ice doesn't seem fit in the context of tropical countries like Thailand, where people live in temperatures greater than 30C almost all the time. Even so, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has for years been active in supporting and sending competitors to the ice festival to compete -- the first time back in 1991. This year marks Thailand's 22nd entry.
Well-established in their individual careers, two of them work in 5-star hotels while Kitsana is a freelancer. They accept that the competition is never easy for Thai ice sculptors, because they don't get to practice on the actual ice surface up until they are at the competition venue.
"It takes years of experience to be able to produce a work of art that truly stands out in the face of stiff competition from countries where it snows," said Kusol, the team's captain. "Our competitors who grew up with snow of course have an edge over us. So it takes all the work experience you have to successfully win over this disadvantage.
"The snow that we get to work with in such events is vastly different from the material we use in our work in Thailand. So to work in such circumstances and win truly gives you an adrenalin rush."
The team drew inspiration from the fact that the Siamese fighting fish is not just recognised as Thailand's national aquatic animal but has numerous cultural and historical connections to the nation.
In order to win, the three sculptors had to first start with building on what each of them was bringing to the competition. After they identified one another's strong points and designated who would do what, they were able to gain the confidence to perform at their best during competition.
The winning sculpture, looking immaculate at night. Tourism Authority of Thailand
"Being perfectionists worked to our advantage. Each detail was carefully scrutinised and meticulously implemented," added the team's captain. "Our aim was to replicate the Siamese-fighting-fish figurine we had designed earlier. Having Kitsana -- who has over two decades of experience in sculpting -- on our team was a great asset.
"On the other hand, Amnoaysak draws well. Like the two of us, he is diligent and disciplined. So this combo really gave the edge we needed for victory. We are fortunate to have team members that can work independently, as well as complete their task within the allotted time. In such events, time is always of the essence."
Amnoaysak is of the opinion that their icy Siamese fighting fish impressed the judges because of its likeness to the model they had submitted prior to the competition.
"During the period when we were conceptualising the design, I was confident we would finish in the top five. The fact that we have competed together also played a huge role in victory -- everything fell into place when needed."
Meanwhile, Kitsana felt it was the craftsmanship in particular which sealed the win for them. "There was a lot of talented sculptors at the competition. We had to be at the top of our game to catch the eye of the judges."
Comparing themselves to national athletes, Kusol said that, as with any discipline, snow sculpting requires concentration, focus and a strong determination to win, as the pressure put on them is enormous.
"People in general have the misconception that we win these events pretty easily because the competition is weak. For one, that is not true. Everyone in the fray is looking to win. Secondly, coming from a tropical country makes it all the more difficult for us to accustom our bodies to the below-zero weather in a short span of time before the competition starts."
Such circumstances are an added pressure that the team don't often talk about, admitted Kusol.
The winning team, from right, Kusol Bunkobsongserm, Kitsana Wongtes and Amnoaysak Srisuk. Tourism Authority of Thailand
"As in any sports tournament, competitors are required to be physically and emotionally strong. For snow sculpting, an added hazard is that we are at risk of hurting ourselves at any moment because of the conditions we work under. It is often slippery, and strong winds just add to the risk of accident."
Given the blood, sweat and tears involved in snow sculpting, the trio suggested competitions offer cash prizes, a typical figure being 500,000 baht for gold, 300,000 for silver and 200,000 for bronze.
"Snow sculpting is similar to any professional sport where competitors are not just vying for a medal but also a cash prize," remarked Kitsana. "We don't want to sound money-minded; however, a monetary reward should be considered, given we all have families to support, and in a decade's time are facing retirement."
To keep the future of ice sculpting alive in a country where practising it is not easy -- never mind winning a title -- Kitsana hopes to start a school with teammates Kusol and Amnoaysak.
"Ice sculpting is a dying profession, so we would like to do our part in sharing the knowledge we have accumulated through the years to the present generation. It is also our desire to share this art form with people who would like to pursue it as a hobby," said Kitsana, who anticipated writing a manual on ice sculpting.
"Apart from vocational schools, we do not have any place where the public can go and learn about ice sculpting. We plan for our school to offer a solid foundation for anyone who is interested in this art. If they desire to pursue it professionally one day, that would be the icing on the cake for us."
Thanks to their niche, the trio said they have travelled internationally and enjoyed experiencing new cultures and people.
"We are definitely very thankful for the opportunities that have risen due to our profession. Competing at international events has broadened our horizons, and given us a new appreciation for what we have been doing for decades," Kitsana concluded.
Patience, dedication and decades of experience helped the trio win. Tourism Authority of Thailand
