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.
|