Thai celeb to visit VN for bear protection

HA NOI — Thai actor Tono Pakin Kumwilaisuk will visit Viet Nam on June 30 to endorse the protection of bears at the invitation of Education for Nature - Viet Nam (ENV).

The actor will take part in a series of activities that will be co-organised by ENV and World Animal Protection to raise community awareness of bear protection and ending breeding of bears in Viet Nam.

Kumwilaisuk will also attend the inauguration of a photo exhibition at a trade centre in Ha Noi.

He will visit bear farms in PhucTho District on the outskirts of Ha Noi and those under the Forest Protection Department in the northern province of Hai Phong, where he will interact with forest officials and guards about efforts to expedite the ending of bear breeding.

Kumwilaisuk is best known as Tono of The Star 6 as he was among the eight finalists in the sixth season of The Star, a singing contest aired live on Thai television. He was the second runner-up in the sixth season.

He became popular after the show and has won many awards, including the best actor at the 26th Television Gold Awards in 2012 and the award for the famous singer at OK Awards in 2015.

He has been the ambassador of World Animal Protection in Thailand since 2013, taking part in various activities to protect wild animals. His social network page is followed by more than two million people.

ENV was founded in 2000 by Vu Thi Quyen, who led a small group of passionate Vietnamese youths who recognised the need for sustainable, long-term, locallyled environmental education across the country.

ENV has two offices in HaNoi and HCM City and enjoys a steadilyincreasing support base both within and outside Viet Nam. It is committed to making a difference by fighting for wildlife protection and ending illegal wildlife trade. — VNS