February 24, 2011
Bangkok (AFP) - Comic artist Verachai Duangpla of Thailand won the silver award of the fourth International Manga Award at the Iikura guesthouse in Tokyo on February 23.
His "The Story Begins with..." cartoon reflected the outstanding performance and recognized by getting ranked as the first runner-up in the contest.
Belgian cartoonist reported won the gold award ( as cited at http://thainews.prd.go.th) from the fourth International Manga Award competition in which Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara presided over the award-presenting ceremony.
It is also the first time Xiao Bai of China won the award and she's the first Chinese artist to win such award (as cited at www.cnngo.com).
Thai cartoonist Jakrapan Huaypetch won the gold award from the third International Manga Award event with his comic "Super Dunker" in 2010.
As a combination of short stories regarding episodes, Ruang Mee Yu Wa or The Story Begins with... is social satires through the eyes of a Thai boy.
Known as one of Japan's most well-recognized cultural exports, Japanese manga is a form of comics and print cartoons such as "Doraemon", "Dragon Ball", etc.
The competition usually takes place during February-March. 189 entries by cartoonist from 39 nations competed for the awards.
