For glass-makers whether amateur or professional, creating intricate glassware that is both functional and beautiful calls for skill, precision and taste, and this applies equally to the making of a decorative chalice or a martini glass.

It was the latter that most concerned the Bombay Sapphire Designer Glass Competition, one of the world's famous design contests for up and coming designers. The 2008 final round of the competition was held in London last month during the London Design Festival, and Thailand was represented by young designer Amorn Thongsaard and his Ramify martini glass.

Some of the glasses by young Thai designers that entered the final round of the local competition.

Here was a chance for a Thai designer to compete with 20 other finalists from Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, the UK and the USA.

Known as a keen supporter of the worldwide design community, Bombay Sapphire launched its martini glass design contest in 2002. With the exception of one designer from Japan, no Asian designer has ever won the global first prize.