Princess calls for more libraries
HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn yesterday expressed her concern that Thai children in rural areas did not have access to books because there were not enough libraries.
The princess was speaking at the opening ceremony of Bangkok International Book Fair 2007 at the Queen Sirikit Convention Centre. The event, comprising 820 booths, will run until April 10. Some 1.5 million people are expected to visit. "Books are an important tool for developing reading, language use and thinking. Books also help to create inspiration and imagination. We should campaign for children to love reading," she said. Princess Sirindhorn emphasised a need to promote reading among children in the countryside, where access to books was still a problem because libraries were scarce. "Only when these children have an opportunity to learn from books can Thai society truly become a learning society," she said. On hand to welcome Princess Sirindhorn were Dr Kasem Watanachai, a member of the Privy Council, Dr Varakorn Samkoses, the deputy education minister, Thanachai Santichaikul, chairman of the Publishers' and Book Sellers' Association, and Khunying Kasama Vorawarn na Ayutthaya, secretary-general of the Basic Education Commission. A special zone at the fair promotes reading for children. Mother & Care will advise parents on how to encourage children to love reading. The fair will also honour King Vajiravudh's literary works. The event has attracted participants from more than 10 countries, which have taken 91 booths alongside the 761 booths of local publishing houses. Visitors on the first day were seen clamouring for the hottest titles, including "Awasan iTV" ("The End of iTV") by Thepchai Yong, "Doen Su Issarapab" ("Walking Towards Freedom") by Pramuan Pengchan and translations from Japanese and Korean.
Manote Tripathi The Nation
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