The 1971 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts

RESPONSE of Prayoon Chanyavongs

I feel excited, grateful and honored by the Board of Trustees of the Magsaysay Foundation for selecting me as winner of the Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts Award.

I never dreamed that I would ever receive such high honor. I consider the Magsaysay Awards among the noblest awards in history. I am a simple and humble cartoonist who has been working at his craft for most of his life. I still consider myself a student who is forever learning and seeking to improve his art.

I always approach the subjects of my cartoons from an attitude of understanding and friendship and without any intent to create animosities. My main objective is to educate and to create understanding. I am against the idea of taking up arms for war. I hope that people all over the world will take up forks and spoons instead and sit down to dine and converse with each other. I feel that the high honor bestowed upon me is not a personal honor but an honor for the journalists of Thailand and also for the people of Thailand.

As for myself, I shall continue to work hard. Although the value of the money we received may change, the value of the Award will not change for me. I also shall not change; I shall remain the same old Prayoon, your Prayoon. Thank you.