Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Phra Maha Wutthichai Wachirametee were honoured for their usage of the Thai language this year, while Dutch luk thung singer Christy Gibson was among the foreigners praised, Culture Minister Nipit Intarasombat said yesterday.
At a press conference marking Thai Language Day yesterday, Nipit said 41 people were named for their excellent use of the Thai language. Singing monk Phra Punyawangso (Pornpirom) and Assoc Prof Duangmon Chitchamnong were given the lifetime achievement award; Abhisit, Phra Maha Wutthichai and actor Settha Siyachaya were among the Thai nationals honoured; and singer Christy Gibson and Professor Stephen B Young were included in the nonnative speakers' list. Those honoured for excellent usage of Thai dialects included Northeastern composer Sala Khunnawuth, Northern writer Sanan Thammathi and Northern poet Phaitoon Dokbuakaew.
Under the "Petch Nai Pleng" (Diamond in Song) project, 28 singers, including Yuenyong "Aed Carabao" Opakul and Thanaporn "Parn" Waekprayoon, will be given the Ganesha award for accurate usage of the language.
Privy Councillor General Surayud Chulanont will hand out the awards on July 29 at the Thai Cultural Centre.