City of Angels set to become "City of Reading" in 2008

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin plans to make Bangkok "The City of Reading" in the next two years.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will improve and expand its pubic library service to attract people of all ages to read books, the governor said.

The improvement of public libraries in Bangkok is under way. The capital's public libraries will be given a new look with the concept of "The Library of Knowledge". The first library to be opened is at Soi Pranang near the Victory Monument, Mr. Apirak said.

Speaking at a press conference Monday, Mr. Apirak explained that the BMA would organise a BMA Book and Library Fair which would be a part of the 34th National Book Fair and a Childrens' Book Fair to be held from March 29 through April 9 at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre.

Meanwhile, speaking with TNA, the BMA Chief of Public Libraries Arunwan Pimpattanayothin said that under the BMA's public library improvement project, the BMA aims to open 10 libraries this year. The new libraries are called "Discovery Learning Libraries" and they'll be furnished to be modern style libraries equipped with internet service, cozy corners for refreshing drinks, and entertainment such as movies and music.

Moreover, the BMA will launch 50 community learning centers in 2006 to reach readers in local communities. The centers will be set up to provide people places for reading magazines, newspapers, novels, and books provided by the BMA, she said.

Publishers and Distributors Association of Thailand president Thanchai Santichaikoon said that the association proposed that Bangkok participate in a contest to be named the World Book City to be organised in June.

If Bangkok wins the contest, the award will coincide with the celebration of the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King's ascension to the throne he said.

--TNA 2006-03-27

City of Angels set to become "City of Reading" in 2008

Publishers and Distributors Association of Thailand president Thanchai Santichaikoon said that the association proposed that Bangkok participate in a contest to be named the World Book City to be organised in June.

You very rarely see Thai people reading books unless they are comic books.

chirst, they've only just been promoted to the premeirship and now this!

chirst, they've only just been promoted to the premeirship and now this!

I have only ever seen 2 Thais reading a novel outside of an educational institute.

One was a Bargirl in Pattaya the other a tatooed beach bum on Ko Chang.

Makes you think doesn't it......?

I've just asked the office (10 people - 8 women - 2 men) 'Who reads novels on a regular basis.'

Reply: None

I then asked 'Who reads novels occasionally?'

Reply: None

I think this is not just wishful thinking but utter fantasy.

To echo English Noodle's sentiments, put knowledge in a comic book in Thailand and you'd have a well read population.

its hard to get thais inquisitively interested in anything outside of the little bubbles that they seem to live in.

easy access to food , a few channels of anaesthetizing tv and thais are happy.

cross the road to buy a good book , "raaaaaaawn , fon tok! , keeee geeat! "

you have just been reading an extract from "another sweeping generalisation " by taxexile."

if you would like to read more , you can purchase the book by sending $10.99 to blah blah blah.

City of Angels set to become "City of Reading" in 2008

Publishers and Distributors Association of Thailand president Thanchai Santichaikoon said that the association proposed that Bangkok participate in a contest to be named the World Book City to be organised in June.

You very rarely see Thai people reading books unless they are comic books.

Incorrect. They read magazines too. and Harry Potter.

City of Angels set to become "City of Reading" in 2008

Publishers and Distributors Association of Thailand president Thanchai Santichaikoon said that the association proposed that Bangkok participate in a contest to be named the World Book City to be organised in June.

You very rarely see Thai people reading books unless they are comic books.

Incorrect. They read magazines too. and Harry Potter.

Oh sorry so they read magazines (maybe they should consider going in for the World Magazine City) and the most popular series of childrens books in history.

About 15% of my bookstore's customers are Thai people reading English. When I first opened it was none.

They are coming along slowly!

About 15% of my bookstore's customers are Thai people reading English. When I first opened it was none.

They are coming along slowly!

Do you sell thai books as well? (might be good for business)

Let them try. I want to see local books going down in price. Look at those Baker-Posuk series - 1000 baht a pop! You can buy two best selling Dan Brown's paper backs for that.

I was surprsed they just translated Don Quihote - took them 400 years, but I'm also surprised that they chose ten very good books for Thaksin's reading pleasure.

Yeah, they're coming round, slowly. I'm afraid I won't live long enough to see Bangkok as a reading city.

congratulations on the promotion

how many of us know 'educated' thais that may enjoy reading for pleasure? My wife is only educated to prathom level and mostly enjoys trashy soap opera magazines but is quite literate when dealing with serious issues. The rest of her family are barely literate in the literal sense of the word.

it is commendable that there may be an effort to make available reading materials to the general public...books are expensive in Thailand, more than most can afford. However if there is no 'reading public' the effort can be seen as no more than another government attempt to present an acceptable face to the outside world...

no booze from 1 to 5 pm...but you can get plenty of books...

love it...

First good on them for making the effort.

But to make the statement about Bangkok becoming “The city of reading” - looks like the good governor has been tipping the bottle or listening to too many Thaksin speechs with big grandiose plans. And here I thought Buddhism taught one not to set the bar to high when setting goals.

I thought Los Angeles was the “City of Angels"

I thought Los Angeles was the “City of Angels"

Depends upon which language you speak.