Bangkok--Aug 31--Kith & Kin
Double A and its allied publishers nationwide have joined forces to launch “Thailand Book Tower” (TBT), the country’s first vertical book city which covers 6,000 square meters of space on a nine-storey building, early next year.
The facility is aimed at promoting “reading society” of the country.
The project is set to provide year-long activities on a daily basis for youths and families. It offers every genre of books and, for the first time, paves the way for publishers to open up their own stores. In the first year, sales of 1.5 million books are expected.
Mr. Charnvit Jarusombathi, executive vice president — marketing of Double A, said Double A has worked with several publishers to initiate and support knowledge- based society via TBT. The initiative will also help fuel the growth of publishing industry.
TBT will be operated by Book Tower (Thailand) Co., Ltd. A team of 10 key persons from publishing and related businesses serves on its advisory board.
They are Mr. Thanachai Santichaikul, vice chairman/president of NATION MULTIMEDIA GROUP PCL and president of the Publishers and Booksellers Association of Thailand, Ms. Suwadee Chongsatitwattana, managing director of NANMEE CO., LTD, Ms. Risuan Aramcharoen, managing director of PLAN FOR KIDS CO., LTD, Ms. Nidda Hongwiwat, managing director of SANGDAD PLUBLISING CO., LTD, Mr. Wisit Rojpojjanarat, managing director of PATTANASUKSA PUBLISHER, Mr. Preecha Chaiboonrueng, sales manager of D.K TODAY CO.LTD, Mr. Sirisak Siripaisarnkul, marketing manager of TANABUN PINKLAO CO., LTD, Mr. Winai Chattinanp, vice manager of KLEDTHAI CO.LTD, Mr. Sorapan Boonpan, distribution manager of Bangkok and Adjacent Area of MATICHON PUBLIC CO. LTD, and an executive from Double A.
It’s the first time in the industry that such an alliance is formed to benefit the country, said Mr. Charnvit.
As the first of its kind “book city” for the country, “Thailand Book Tower” will occupy an area of 6,000 square meters on the nine-storey tower. Located on Sathorn Road, a central district for business and education, TBT tower is designed to stand out as a work of art on the road and serve the concept of reading society for the country.
Its sophisticatedly designed exterior integrates a feature of literary and the architectural look of well-known “Stone Scripture”, an origin of Thai letters. Its interior of every floor is modern-look that could attract different groups of readers, enabling the comfort of reading, just like the comfort of having leisure.
The book city is the center of book lovers from every age range and groups of readers; kids, teens, students, and general public, so that the culture of reading is stimulated and integrated into the daily life of the people. Meanwhile, it supports publishers to produce more quality books.
Key to the book city is its largest gathering of bookstores and publishers. This allows the widest range of books and magazines from each genre, including rare books, to be found. Importantly, in a year-long planning, the book city will introduce a variety of activities everyday for youths and families to stimulate their thinking and attract them to come back any day. This helps make the book city active and colorful.
Searching for a book will be made easy with a new search engine and book specialists and advice for reading from book consultants. TBT expects to draw 4,000 visitors a day and 1.5 million books sold by the end of next year.
Publishers and shops have signed up to participate in each zone of the city. Over 20 publishers will set up their own stores, such as Aksara For Kids, Attita, Mor Chao Baan, Siam Inter Multimedia, Sukaparb Jai, Matichon, Kled Thai, Plan For Kids, MisSofttech, Pass Education, Chomrom Bandit Naenaew, Thai Wattanapanich. A number of 14 alternative book publishers are also present: Komal Keemthong, Opens, Suan Ngen, for example. Some eight publishers, on consignment, are such as Ruen Panya, Success Media, Sangsan Books, Thammaniti, IDC Info Distributor, Hong Rieng, Scholar Video, and Expernet. Nestle, True, Pizza Corner, and New York Deli will also open their shops.
Currently, some 1,200 square meters remain available for publishers and bookstores. The reservation is open until October. The building is under a redevelopment and decoration and expected to be open for public early next year.
In addition to the great amount of books, each floor of the city will serve readers of different interest with variety of activities.
“Top Hit Zone” is the meeting point on the ground floor, featuring bestseller books and recommended books supplied by every publisher for those readers who are under time-constraints to find their choices. All titles of magazines and newspapers are available. Stationary, photocopying, postal service, and coffee could be found here.
“Feeling Zone”, on the second floor, brings together literature for every age range from many publishers. It’s where Internet Cafe is located.
“Living Zone”, on the third floor, is a variety of specialty interest such as home, health, entertainment, travel, arts & culture, social and political studies, economic subject, astrology, music, and sports.
“Kids Zone”, on the fourth floor, locates books for kids, including books for parenting. A corner for play, called Playground, is for the kids to have fun while reading.
“Brain Zone”, on the fifth floor, is a center of academic books of every kind.
“World Zone”, on the sixth floor, is a place where foreign books could be found.
The seventh floor is “Food Zone” for food shops and drinks with a capacity to seat 300 people.
The eighth floor, “Activities Zone”, serves book launch activities, seminars on various subjects.
On top of the facility is “Learning Zone”, a centre of learning on language, music, and arts.
Those who are interested in the book city and open their stores could contact 0-5-835-3140.
For Further Information:
Kith & Kin Co.
Khun Junya Nukulkij,
0-2663-3226 ext. 65 or 0-9814-8941. End.