PHUKET: A young Phuket student has shown the world how creative talent can be nurtured on the holiday island by coming tops in an international arts competition.

Nine-year-old Suthipat Suwanrathpum was modest yesterday as David Lipman, Ambassador to Thailand for the European Union, hailed the achievements of the lad in the presence of a large group of Phuket VIPs.

Khun Suthipat left the talking to his parents. But his watercolor depicting gender equality said it all, really.

His creation was selected by the judges as one of the 14 best from 4500 submissions from 61 countries, no mean feat for the Phuket schoolboy.

Mr Lipman told Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha, Phuket City Mayor Somjai Suwansupapana, Phuket MPs Anchalee Thepabutra and Rewat Areerob and other VIPs that the young artist has exceptional talent.

''Women are making a mark at every level in Thailand and on Phuket,'' Mr Lipman said.

The original artwork is already in Brussels, where the best of the creations are to go on display in an exhibition from November 10 in the Children's Museum.

The award ceremony will be held in Brussels on November 10. As well as a trip to Europe for two for the show's opening, the young student from Phuk Pan Ya School in Phuket City wins a laptop.

His nickname, appropriately, is Pookun, or paintbrush.

Mr Lipman told yesterday's presentation at the Phuket City council offices that he was no stranger to Phuket.

''I visit Phuket twice a year to go diving,'' he said. ''There is not much I enjoy more than being in the water around Phket and seeing the underwater life that is still a delightful reason to visit Phuket.''