Bangkok--21 Mar--TQPR
Thailand has seen a surge in the number of entries for the forthcoming Rolex Awards for Enterprise, outstripping the other participating Asian nations: Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. The 12th Rolex Awards for Enterprise ceremony will be held in Singapore in October 2006 and will mark the 30th anniversary of this biennial Awards programme.
The number of entries from Thailand has doubled. Malaysia was close on Thailand’s heels with the number of entries growing by 82 per cent over the same period, compared to 57 per cent for Indonesia and 50 per cent for Singapore. Overall, entries for the region grew by 70 per cent compared to 2004.
The 2004 Rolex Awards saw Thailand’s first Rolex Awards winner: environmentalist Pisit Charnsnoh. Pisit became Associate Laureate for his work in preventing the endangered dugong from vanishing from Thai waters by involving coastal communities in conservation projects to restore its habitat.
Commenting on the growth in entries from Thailand, Pisit said: “Thais are well known for their caring natures and, for me, it is so inspiring to discover that so many of my fellow countrymen are taking action to change something they are passionate about. The Award provides winners with the financial support and confidence to realise their dream. I genuinely hope to see another Thai join me on the list of Rolex Laureates.”
Rebecca Irvin, head of the Rolex Awards Secretariat, added: “This is the 12th series of this biennial programme launched in 1976 and it is encouraging to find that the spirit of enterprise is still very much alive throughout the world. Year after year, it is an honour for Rolex to make a contribution to helping individuals to realise their vision. The leap in the number of entries from Thailand alone demonstrates that the drive to better the world we live in is at the forefront of the Thai people’s minds.”
The Rolex Awards for Enterprise recognise individuals whose innovative, life-enhancing projects have a major impact on humanity. The Awards recognise five key areas: Science and Medicine; Technology and Innovation; Exploration and Discovery; The Environment and Cultural Heritage. Five winners — or Laureates — each receive a gold Rolex chronometer and US$100,000 to fund new or on-going work and assist in the completion of outstanding initiatives rather than rewarding past achievements. Up to five Associate Laureates are also selected and receive a cash prize and a steel-and-gold Rolex chronometer.
For further information, please contact: Or
Polly Steeds / Lim Siow Joo Tom Van Blarcom / Ruthaiwan Tanwongwan
Grayling TQPR (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
Tel: 6325 4606 Tel: 0 2260 5820 ext. 114
Email: [email protected] Fax: 0 2260 5847-8
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