Carving intricate patterns into fruits and vegetables is a Thai tradition that has been traced back to the country's Sukhothai dynasty, in the 14th century, when the skill was taught to women in the royal palace. The tradition is slowly dying out in Thailand, but a handful of artists are determined to keep the art form alive.

A huge fruit and vegetable carving competition was held in Bangkok on Friday (4 August) in honour of Queen Sirikit, who turns 85 on 12 August. More than 20 teams carved intricate floral and animal designs into a range of fruits and vegetables including papaya and pumpkins. Watermelons are especially popular because of their intense colour and gradations of shade.

Thailand fruit carving Bangkok
A carved watermelon is displayed during a fruit and vegetable carving competition in Bangkok Roberto Schemidt/AFP
Thailand fruit carving Bangkok
A carved watermelon is displayed during a fruit and vegetable carving competition in Bangkok Roberto Schemidt/AFP
Thailand fruit carving Bangkok
Thai children carve elaborate designs into fruit and vegetables Roberto Schemidt/AFP
Thailand fruit carving Bangkok
A carved watermelon is displayed during a fruit and vegetable carving competition in Bangkok Roberto Schemidt/AFP
Thailand fruit carving Bangkok
A woman carves floral patterns into a papaya during a fruit and vegetable carving competition in Bangkok Roberto Schemidt/AFP
Thailand fruit carving Bangkok
A carved papaya is displayed during a fruit and vegetable carving competition in Bangkok Roberto Schemidt/AFP
Thailand fruit carving Bangkok
Displays are adorned with images of Thai Queen Sirikit, during a fruit and vegetable carving competition in Bangkok Roberto Schemidt/AFP
Thailand fruit carving Bangkok
A carved watermelon is displayed during a fruit and vegetable carving competition in Bangkok Roberto Schemidt/AFP
Thailand fruit carving Bangkok
A carved watermelon is displayed during a fruit and vegetable carving competition in Bangkok Roberto Schemidt/AFP
Thailand fruit carving Bangkok
A Thai woman carves a vegetable into the form of a rose Roberto Schmidt/AFP
Thailand fruit carving Bangkok
A carved pumpkin is displayed during a fruit and vegetable carving competition in Bangkok Roberto Schemidt/AFP
Thailand fruit carving Bangkok
A man adds a pumpkin carved in the shape of a fish to an elaborate display Roberto Schemidt/AFP
Thailand fruit carving Bangkok
A Thai boy carves floral patterns into a watermelon Roberto Schemidt/AFP
Thailand fruit carving Bangkok
A Thai girl carves floral patterns into a melon Roberto Schemidt/AFP
Thailand fruit carving Bangkok
A carved watermelon is displayed during a fruit and vegetable carving competition in Bangkok Roberto Schemidt/AFP
Thailand fruit carving Bangkok
A carved watermelon is displayed during a fruit and vegetable carving competition in Bangkok Roberto Schemidt/AFP
Thailand fruit carving Bangkok
Two Buddhist monks look at an elaborate display of carved fruits and vegetables Roberto Schemidt/AFP
Thailand fruit carving Bangkok
A painting depicting Thailand's Queen Sirikit adorns an elaborate fruit and vegetable decoration during a fruit and vegetable carving competition in Bangkok Roberto Schemidt/AFP
Thailand fruit carving Bangkok
An elaborate display of carved fruits and vegetables is displayed during a fruit and vegetable carving competition in Bangkok Roberto Schemidt/AFP
Thailand fruit carving Bangkok
An exhausted artists sleeps on a chair as others put together elaborate fruit and vegetable displays Roberto Schemidt/AFP

Fruit carving is still popular as an offering in temples or as a decoration for weddings. Fine arts students can still choose to learn it at university, as they would take painting lessons. But the tradition is fading away. "Not so many young people are interested in it or the ones who studied it in art schools cannot make a living out of it," Manirat Svastiwat na Ayutthaya, food carving expert told AFP.

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