Children in Nakhon Si Thammarat gathered early this month to create colourful undersea homes for aquatic animals.

They painted beautiful designs on shipping containers to be sunk off the coast of Khanom district.

"The containers will become an artificial reef, serving as shelters or nursing grounds for sea creatures," said Chankij Jearaphunt, managing director of Khanom Power Plant, a subsidiary of EGCO Group.

EGCO organised the "Build Undersea Homes" project - which has placed 18 containers on the seabed this year -- in conjunction with the Tourism Authority of Thailand's Nakhon Si Thammarat Office and other organisations.

Reef benefits

"The project will benefit the environment, fishing and local tourism," Chankij said. "The containers should help this area become a diving destination."

The children got an extra bonus in the form of the chance to win awards. Teams participated in three categories: primary school students from Khanom district, secondary school students from Khanom district, and students from across Nakhon Si Thammarat.

The winners received a certificate of honour, a plaque and Bt5,000.

An octopus's garden

"We used dolphins in our design because they are a famous symbol of the sea here," said Grade 9-student Kantapong Srimuang. His team from Sichol Kunatan Vittaya School beat 17 others to win first prize in the third category. "The theme of our painting is harmony between technology and nature. We hope it will encourage other children to care about the environment," Kantapong said.

"Our team spent six hours painting," said Supanat Laosakulsuk, whose team from Wat Khao School (Wan Khru 2501) took on five other competitors to win in the second category. "Our painting has a pink dolphin and a crab-eating monkey, both symbols of Khanom."

Supanat said he was thrilled to get the prize. "But more than that, we are happy to have helped create a home for the fish," the 12-year-old said.

"Our painting highlights the best of the shore and sea in Khanom," explained Kornkanok Saiwong, whose Khanom Pitaya School team triumphed in the second category. "We won a prize last year, too," he said.

The "Build Undersea Homes" project began in 2007 to mark the 80th birthday of His Majesty the King.

The six-year project aims to place 99 containers on Thailand's seabed.