The competition was held at Gym 3, Sapam Hin. The results showed great imagination and some surprising artistic talent.

Six judges, headed by Apinan Towatanakasam, spent a considerable amount of time and thought before declaring the winners in each group.

Asked how he felt the competition had gone, John Young, of PaddleAsia, which sponsored the event in cooperation with the Phuket Education Department, said, "It has gone superbly, a great success. It has paved the way to make this an annual event."

Here are some additional shots of the event...

Winner, Parinya Ruangrat (on right), displays her work. Her poster consisted of firy skies with smoldering trees that had been cut down. From beneath, the hands, perhaps of Lord Buddha, push life back in. Water was a reoccurring theme with many of the children. Sea turtles were also common.

Winner, Kanjana Chonsiri, receives her congratulations from Phuket Deputy Mayor, Khun Somjai Suwansupana. Kanjana chose dolphins to center her masterpiece. Her vivid use of bright colors won the hearts of the judges.

Though this work didn't win this time, it shows the depth of the imagination of these talented youngsters. This student obviously has "got the environmental part of the message"... what a great use of colors to get the point across.

PaddleAsia wishes to thank the Phuket Education Department. Special thanks goes to Khun Sunan Limjanon, department head. We would also like to thank Deputy Mayor Khun Somjai again for helping with the awards and her speech. We at PaddleAsia look very forward to next year's event. This was a superb beginning!