Contest to boost awareness of King’s Cup

PHUKET: In a drive to involve the Thai community more deeply in the annual King’s Cup Regatta, the event’s organizers today launched an essay and painting competition for Thai students, with cash prizes totaling 100,000 baht. The competition, which is open to students from primary school up to university (but not to students attending international schools), was launched at a meeting in the Provincial Hall, chaired by Governor Pongpayome Vasaputi. Gov Pongpayome said, “The King’s Cup Regatta has been held many times in Phuket, enhancing the reputation for the island and helping to promote tourism.” But, he and members of the regatta organizing committee noted, very few local people know much about the event, now entering its 15th year. “Therefore,” the Governor said, “the art and essay competition will act as a way to promote the King’s Cup to local people.” In addition to the cash prizes, which will be split between the winners and their schools, the student who submits what the judges consider the best entry overall will also win a five-day sailing course worth 20,000 baht, sponsored by Sunsail. In addition, the top three in each of the nine categories will be invited onto one of the committee boats during the regatta. Additional prizes are expected to be provided by other local businesses. The theme of the competition will be “His Majesty the King, Phuket, and Sailing”. The deadline for entries is September 15. The first round of judging will take place immediately afterwards, to select the top 54 entries. An exhibition featuring these entries will be mounted at various venues around Phuket during October and November. Final judging will take place in November, with a grand prize-giving ceremony to be held on November 15, a couple of weeks before the 15th Phuket King’s Cup Regatta gets underway. For more information on the competition, contact Panitee Prateepnathalang (Tel: 076-282198-9 Fax: 076-282198 or Email: info@image-asia.com).