Hm King's Cartoon Rushes Off Shelves

[nogutsnoapplepie]

BANGKOK, Nov 13 (TNA) - The cartoon version of a book by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej featuring his favourite dog Tongdaeng proved a bestseller yesterday, with over 100,000 copies snapped up on the first day of sales.

At one of Bangkok's most famous bookshops, Nai In, eager members of the public started queuing up even before the doors opened in the morning to grab hold of a copy of the book.

Miss Kannika Khamsongsee, the shop's manager, said that the shop sold over 3,000 copies yesterday, with most purchasers buying more than one copy each.

Anticipating that the book would have sold out before the end of the day, she said that she had ordered 5,000 copies for sale today.

The book features Tongdaeng, a stray dog taken to the Royal palace as a puppy and raised by His Majesty the King.

Praising the dog's loyalty, the book stands as a morality tale on how modern Thais should conduct themselves.

First published in story form two years ago, the book was released in cartoon form yesterday.

Mr. Choti Klinwongkon, 65, who bought the cartoon version of the book yesterday, said that he rushed to purchase the book as soon as possible as he was afraid of it selling out.

Describing the cartoon as an exemplary tale for children, he said that it was easy to understand.

Miss Sirida Klinkamnert, meanwhile, bought seven copies of the books, which she said she would distribute to her nieces and nephews.

Copies of the book are on sale in Seven Eleven stores in Bangkok, as well as in bookstores throughout the country.(TNA)--E006

Good to see the problems in the south have been sorted out then.