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Published on December 8, 2007

Six inventions were submitted by Thai students out of 79 entries from countries around the world at the contest, hosted by Indonesia's Yogyakarta city from November 28-30.

One winner was a mechanical lawnmower developed by Puritat Subsuret and Parinya Chaloemphon, Prathom 5 students at Saraburi's Anuban Banmo Pattanarad School.

The other was an oil-collecting boat created by Supchok Tacharut and Pratchaya Srisaento, Mathayom 4 students at Suankularb Wittayalai Pathum Thani School in Pathum Thani.

The lawnmower was propelled by foot power, using a bicycle, instead of by petrol. It applies the mechanical advantage of wheels, axles and gears.

"My friend and I never expected that we would win the gold prize, as I think we're too young. We just wanted to experience the international competition," said Parinya, 11. "When we heard that we were winners, I saw that Puritat was crying as he was very happy."

The boat that collects oil spills has a PVC pipe in front that oil sticks to. Then the oil is swept into a tank by a rubber stick and any water filtered off. The boat's operation and the collecting process are controlled by a remote device.

Pratchaya, 16, said he and his friend conceived the boat after they saw restaurants dumping old oil into a river and heard that when boats capsize, oil floats on the sea.

"I want to collect oil from water as it causes pollution, so we decided to make this boat. We'll keep developing the boat because we hope it will help collect oil when boats sink in the future," he said.

Kasama Voravan, secretary-general of the Basic Education Commission, said Thai students' performance in many international competitions shows that they "are not inferior to students in countries in the world".

She said her office was promoting students to be skilled at science and invention and also encouraging teachers and authorities to act as a network developing quality students to be have their achievements recognised.

Supinda na Mahachai,

 Wannapa Phetdee

 The Nation