Hip-hoppers Buddha Bless, romantic comedy "Seasons Change" and Channel 3's soap "Aoom Rak" were the major winners at the 2006 Kom Chad Luek Awards for music and film, with the young rappers picking up two prizes in the Thai sakol (pop) category, and the romantic series as well as GTH's feel-good flick taking home four each.

The awards ceremony, held on Wednesday night at Bangkok's Bec-Tero Hall, also saw success for GMM Grammy's look thung (country-folk) division, with the label's stars picking up prizes for Best Arrangement, Best Songwriting and Best Female Artist.

Buddha Bless seemed stunned at their success.

"Our thanks go to Kom Chad Luek for recognising that our lyrics and music have value," said a band member of the sponsor, The Nation's sister newspaper.

Indie rock band Apartment Khunpa went home with the prize for Best Group and Duo Artist.

"We are just a small indie band, so thank you so much," said the group's singer and frontman, Toon, whose latest album "Romantic Comedy" was recorded with the Sexy Pink Studio.

Other artists awarded in the Thai pop category were Kityoung and Nora-at Chanklam, who received Best Instrumental for "Trai"; Jaruwan "Beam" Boonyarak (Best Solo Female Artist) and Manote Puttan for Best Song.

"Seasons Change" won Nithiwat Tarathorn the Best Director prize for his solo debut.

"I was honoured when GTH asked me to take the reins for the movie and was very fortunate to work a fantastic production team," said Nithiwat, who was one of the gang of six behind the success of 2003's blockbuster "Fan Chan" ("My Girl").

"I'd like to thank Ajarn Sugree, who inspired us to make the film, and Boyd Kosiyabong for allowing us to use his song as the soundtrack. This award will encourage me to make my next film even better."

Horror flick "Dek Hor" ("Dorm") won two prizes - Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress - while romantic comedy "Kort Rak Eng Loei"("Loveaholic") won Best Actor for comedian Udom "Note" Taepanich.

"I've never received any awards before and for once I'm speechless. Thank you," said Note.

Young actor Sirachat Jiarathavorn, was also overcome with emotion received his award for "Dek Hor".

Ann Thongprasom picked up Best Actress for her role in Channel 3's romantic drama "Aoom Rak", and the soap went on to win the awards for Best Actor (Theeradej "Ken" Wongpuapan), Best Director and Popular TV Drama. Meanwhile Channel 7's "Long Ngao Jan" garnered the prize for Best Scriptwriting and Suvanan Kongying won the Popular Actress vote.

"I'd like to thank my fans for giving me so much moral support," said Suvanan, drawing screams and applause from the audience.

The prize for Best Supporting Actress went to Namthip Chongratchatavibul from Channel 5's "Thalay Rissaya" and the late Apichart Puapimol was posthumously awarded Best Supporting Actor for his role in Channel 7's "Thalay Jai".

"My thanks to Kom Chad Luek for giving Off [Apichart] this award and to all his producers for making him successful," said his mother Suda, her eyes brimming with tears.

"He's always in my thoughts."

Kitchana Lersakvanitchakul

The Nation