Getting creative with cartoons

PTT’s popular comic contest returns for its fourth edition next month and this year the organisers have chosen as their theme “Energy Phenomenon”. The competition, which aims to promote creativity and drawing skills among young people and the general public, also promotes awareness of energy conservation and campaigns for the more efficient use of energy.

“This contest is becoming increasingly successful with more and more entrants every year and a better understanding of how to communicate through paintings,” said Prasert Salinla-umpai, executive vice president of corporate communication and social responsibility at PTT during the recent press conference at Terminal 21.

“It is a stage where everybody can show off their creative expressions and realise their dreams of being a professional cartoonist or illustrator. We believe that communicating with a striking painting can help draw attention to energy and environment,” he added.

Several popular cartoonists and illustrators joined the press conference, among them Phurita Boonlom, creator of Ngi Ngi” and Amornlap Promsuwan, aka Jod 8 Riew, whose Thai comics are popular on the social networks. Traipak Supawatana, aka Puck, who recently returned from the Taipei International Book Exhibition 2014 where he showed his work, also answered present along with Wiroj “Beast” Ruengsiri (“Kha Pen Khon”), Kanin Fangsiriwong, aka Dido, (“Behringer”), and Akekarat Milintapas of “Pandora Book”.

This year, the contest’s five judges are Songsin Tiewsomboon, author of “Nine Lives”, Suthichat Saraphaiwanit, cartoonist and illustrator of “Joe-The Sea-Cret Agent”, Veerachai Duangpla of “Innocent”, Wisut Ponnimit and Anushitt Kamnoi aka Kew Tam.

Singer Golf Pichaya, a keen cartoon fan, provided the entertainment.

The contest is divided into two categories: high school students between the ages of 13 and 18 and university students and the public aged 18 and up.

Entries can be uploaded to Facebook.com/PTTComic, emailed to [email protected] or sent by snail mail to 3 Soi Soonvijai 4, Huay Kwang, Bangkok 10310 in an envelope marked “the 4th PTT Comic Contest: Energy Phenomenon”. Entries will be accepted from June 15 to August 31.

This year, PTT will organise a free workshop and road show in Khon Kaen and Chiang Mai in addition to Bangkok. The rising star from each of the three provinces receives prizes worth Bt400,000, a chance to exhibit his works, and a year’s contract with a day magazine.

For more information, call (02) 716 6900-4 extension 406 or email [email protected].