A Thai team's sculpture won the top prize at the International Collegiate Snow Sculpture Contest in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China on Sunday. The winning artwork was inspired by the animals of the mythological forest of Himavanta.
It is the second consecutive win for Ubon Ratchathani Vocational College and the country’s ninth consecutive win at the 4-day event. This year's contest, which finished on Sunday, attracted 55 teams from 12 countries.
Thailand was represented by Ubon Ratchathani Vocational College, Surat Thani Vocational College and Samut Prakan Technical College.
The Ubon Ratchathani team's winning sculpture was entitled “Asha, Paksa, Masha and Waree.” As well as winning the Top Grade Award, it also took home the Best Technique Award.
The team members are Kritsana Khobsahai, Thanasak Pipat, Thanakorn Saksing and Apisit Sornchai. Their supervising instructors are Phisit U-sirikulpanich and Surachart Phalasak.
The sculpture featured creatures of the mythological Hindu forest Himavanta. Asha, the horse, represents strength and endurance, Paksa, the bird, symbolises freedom and intelligence, Masha, the fish, symbolises success and prosperity and Waree, the water, represents fertility and life.
The Surat Thani college team, which entered a fighting rooster ice sculpture, and Samut Prakan Technical College, which sculpted "fortune" animals, shared second prize.
Mr Phisit said he was proud of the work of his team and that the prizes were for the entire nation. Mr Surachart said he and the students hope to use the experience to improve their skills and creativity.
Mr Apisit said he and his teammates were overwhelmed by the support they had received from the Thai public. It was their last competition so they put all they had into the sculpture.
The teams are due to arrive home on Tuesday afternoon.
