KID’S CORNER
HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

The 7th Bangkok Book Fair beckons bookworms

Webster U signs with Morning Talk

Good education = better future

Youth cheerleader teams from Central and the Eastern regions rock the stage at Pattaya’s Central Festival Center in the ‘Solero Cheerleader Championships 2002’

The 7th Bangkok Book Fair beckons bookworms

The Publishers & Booksellers Association of Thailand (PUBAT) announced the organizing of the 7th Bangkok Book Fair at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) October 11 - 20 with an aim to instill and stimulate the love of reading in Thai children and adults.

The Bangkok Book Fair has become one of the foremost annual domestic events, and last year it attracted over 400,000 visitors. “This year, we hope to better that figure to 500,000 or 600,000, and we have done our utmost to ensure that visitor figures increase. We are also using this event as a springboard for PUBAT’s activities next year since we plan to designate 2003 as ‘The Year of Reading’,” said Ms. Suwadee Chongsatitwattana, president of PUBAT.

“We are, of course, especially honored that HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has shown her support by graciously agreeing to officially open the Book Fair. Her Royal Highness fully understands how important books are for people of any nation. They not only provide a source of knowledge, but also stimulate imagination and creativity,” commented Ms. Suwadee.

“The highlight of this year’s Book Fair will be the smallest Thai-language magnetic pop-up book in the world titled ‘Poh Kong Pandin (Father of The Land). This book measures only 2.1 x 3.2 cm, and will be on sale at the fair with part of the proceeds being donated to HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s Royal Projects,” Ms. Suwadee further noted.

Apart from providing an excellent opportunity for the general public to view and buy a variety of books and educational products at special prices, the 7th Bangkok Book Fair promises to be both fun and interesting for the young and young-at-heart. Taking up a total exhibition space of 15,000 square meters at the QSNCC and showcasing nearly 700 booths comprising reputable publishers and booksellers, the organizers are confident that this year’s event will receive good response from locals.

On the educational side, there will be an Exhibition of Antique Documents written on palm leaves and a demonstration on how to write on the leaves themselves and Display of Works written by past renowned Thai authors, a replica of the oldest book shop in Thailand and much more.

Fun activities will include a “Bookfet”. Based on the concept of a food buffet, visitors will be able to select various short stories or novels written by well-known writers and get them bound into customized books.

At the World of Discovery Zone, children can participate and discover their favorite stars such as Star of Reading or Star of Invention. They can also join the ‘Have Your Cake & Eat it too!” activity, which involves decorating cakes that have been baked to look like books. After putting on the icing, children can enjoy the fruit of their endeavors or take the cakes home to show to their parents.

Moreover, there will be a Mathematics Contest for primary and secondary school students October 12-14. Another highlight of this year’s event will be a giant Doraemon Balloon central landmark, where children can participate in games every day.

The 7th Bangkok Book Fair will be open to the general public from 10:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. October 12 - 20. On October 11, the Opening Ceremony of the fair will take place at 4:00 p.m. and the general public will have the opportunity to visit the fair from 6:00 p.m. 8:30 p.m. on that day. There is no admission charge.

For further details, please contact Pornip Ngampromphan at PUBAT, tel. 0-2744-1827 or 0-2744-0863 - 72.


Webster U signs with Morning Talk

Webster University recently signed an agreement with “Morning Talk” to be the official sponsor of the “Open Your World” campaign. (Front, left to right) Dr. Valerie J. McKenzie, owner/presenter of “Morning Talk” and Dr. George Hegarty, the Rector of Webster University. (Back, left to right) Nattawan Iamsittipol (program manager) and Amanda Currie from Webster University.


Good education = better future

Every year, Pattaya Cane & Fabric, Co., Ltd., its suppliers, partner companies and friends select a project to improve school facilities, provide educational equipment, food and clothing for children in need.

This year, the project will be in Ampur Khao Kho, Petchaboon Province. Here the school has some 300 pupils and 10 teachers. The children and their teachers produce part of their own food through fish and chicken farming, planting vegetables and growing mushrooms. But they do not have a canteen with proper cooking facilities; neither do they have tables and benches on which to eat. And there are many other things missing in and around the school of this village of 93 families.

Organizers of the project would like:

- To build the school a canteen.

- To build and equip an infirmary (the next clinic is 10 km away).

- Construct separation walls in the classrooms, as currently only bamboo grids separate them.

- Provide educational equipment: exercise books, pencils, rubbers, pens, rulers, colored pencils, etc.

- Supply a used computer for the school.

- Provide children’s books for their library.

- Supply non-perishable food.

- And last but not least to organize a big party for the children with plenty of food, sweets, toys and gifts, for in a village like this, children usually have never had a party.

Organizers would appreciate any contribution, whether it is equipment for the canteen or infirmary, whether it is medicine, books, toys or food. Special T-shirts have been printed in all sizes for this project, which are selling for 135 baht each, thus generating 70 baht cash per shirt for the project.

The trip to Ampur Khao Kho is planned for December 21, and the children’s party will be organized on December 22.

You are kindly invited to participate. For any further information, please contact Khun Rojana, tel. 038-410853, 716132, 01-8064763, 01-9885572.

The T-shirt can be purchased at the offices of Pattaya Cane & Fabric, 257/1 Sukhumvit Road, between North and Central Pattaya.


Youth cheerleader teams from Central and the Eastern regions rock the stage at Pattaya’s Central Festival Center in the ‘Solero Cheerleader Championships 2002’

Suchada Tupchai

Nineteen teams from various schools in the Central and Eastern regions battled their way through the annual ‘Solero Cheer Leader Championships’ at the Central Festival Center last weekend.

Sheen Samutprakarn put on a great show and received honorable mention.

The competition was divided into two rounds. The first day saw 10 out of 19 teams make it to the qualifying rounds, and those 10 made it to the final rounds held the following day.

Go Team!

On the final day many students from various schools came to support and cheer their teams, hoping to see their school win the competition.

Modify didn’t modify their act and took it all the way to the top.

The ‘Modify’ team from Dharunaratchaburi School took top spot in this year’s ‘Solero Cheerleader Championships” contest with first prize of a HRH Princess Sirindhorn trophy and 30,000 baht in education funds.

A gaggle of cheerleaders? Cheering squads get ready for the big showdown.

Second place went to the Poseidon team from Aksorn Technology Pattaya who received 10,000 baht in prize money. Three other teams won consolation prizes: BBC Bangkok, Sheen Samutprakarn and Crown Nakon Sawan.

Modify from Dharunaratchaburi School won first prize.

The competition was held in conjunction with the Central Festival Center Pattaya, the Drug and Crime Prevention and Office and Walls Ice Cream Company as part of the ongoing campaign to develop youth activities as part of the battle against drug abuse. Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat opened the competition at Central Festival Center in Pattaya.

Crown Nakon Sawan kicked up their heels and were crowned with a consolation prize.

Poseidon from Aksorn Technology Pattaya finished in second place.

BBC Bangkok’s pretty Hornets was one of three teams to win a consolation prize.