Khon Kaen University’s Cholangiocarcinoma Research Institute (CARI) has announced a creative competition inviting students and the general public to produce “Mor Lam” media to educate people about liver flukes and bile duct cancer. The contest offers a total prize pool of over 96,000 baht.
The initiative is part of a research project titled “Using Mor Lam as a Tool to Create Awareness about Liver Flukes and Bile Duct Cancer,” which is supported by CARI and the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT). Mor Lam is a traditional form of folk music and performance art from the Isan (northeastern) region of Thailand.
The competition aims to leverage this popular cultural medium to campaign for public health and disseminate knowledge on the prevention of these diseases, which are significant health issues in the region.
Submissions are open for three distinct performance categories:
- Applied Mor Lam Klon: A modern take on traditional sung poetry.
- Mor Lam Comedy: Comedic skits incorporating Mor Lam elements.
- Mor Lam Short Drama: Short theatrical plays in the Mor Lam style.
For each category, contestants must submit a video of their performance along with a one-page A4 document explaining their inspiration, concept, and how the content relates to the campaign’s theme. Video length requirements vary by category: up to 5 minutes for Applied Mor Lam Klon, up to 2 minutes for comedy, and a 30-second teaser for the short drama.
Each of the three categories will award five prizes:
- Winner: 10,000 baht and a trophy
- First Runner-up: 7,000 baht
- Second Runner-up: 5,000 baht
- Honorable Mention (2 prizes): 2,500 baht each
- People’s Choice Award: 5,000 baht
Applications are open from now until October 20, 2025. The university encourages participation to help preserve Isan culture while promoting critical health information.
