Bangkok--9 Jun--SET
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), together with Ministry of Education (MOE), Nanmee Books Co., Ltd., and Double A Paper, is hosting ‘60 Million Books for King’ Project to encourage the decency of Thai children, and pay homage to the King, on the 60th anniversary of his accession to the throne. The project begins this month.
On this auspicious occasion, (SET) and the other hosts believe that, because reading is a door to wisdom, the learning arising from ‘60 Million Books for King’ Project’ may change lives. A society’s quality of life is intrinsically linked to its attitude to learning.
“The project will encourage children and youth to be become enthusiastic learners and readers. It will develop their thinking, comprehension and creativity, while ensuring that their free time is spent usefully,” SET Executive Vice President Mr. Punsak Vejanurug said.
Inspector General of MOE Mr. Winai Rodjay, who is chairman of a working committee of ‘Promoting Reading Habit’ Project, echoed Mr. Pusak’s sentiments. MOE would like to encourage schools nationwide to participate. This should include students, teachers, librarians, administrators and parents. Students in informal education and the general public are invited to pay respect to the King and join the project.
Nanmee Books Co., Ltd. has been conducting the ‘Lem Proad’ (‘my favorite’) Book Club since 2001. More than 3000 schools participate in this project, with 1.4 million students taking up membership, and 42,000 teachers acting as supervisors.
As part of the royal celebration, children can pay respect by simply being well-behaved and reading. Children can participate in ‘60 Million Books for the King’ Project by contacting their schools or libraries.
“We’d like to invite all Thai people to pay respect to the King, and contribute to a knowledge-based society by promoting the habit of reading amongst young people. Our company seeks to do this through projects such as Thailand Book Tower, Thailand’s first book town. However, instilling the habit of reading requires everybody to contribute, particularly schools and families,” Mr. Charnvit Jarusombathi, Double A Brand’s Executive Vice—President (Marketing) said.
The first phase of ‘60 Million Books for King’ Project, proceeds from June until the end of this year. It aims to have young people and the general public read 60 million books. From September — December 31, 2006, there will be competitions to choose the best school-based reader, and the best from the informal education sector and the public. The winners and place-getters, together with their teachers, and librarians, will win a study tour to Singapore.
Kindergarten children who read 20 books, primary school students who read 40, and others who read 60, will receive special certificates.
A database of participating schools, students, and books that have been read, will be presented to the Bureau of the Royal Household and the participating schools and libraries in March 2007.
For more information on ‘60 Million Books for King’ Project, please contact any school or library, SET’s Maruey Knowledge and Resource Center, or visit www.60MillionBooksForKing.com
For more information, please contact the Corporate Communications Dept.:
Ladawan Kantawong Tel: 0-2229-2036 / Kulvida Jintakawong Tel: 0-2229-2037 /
Nattaporn Boonprapa Tel: 0-2229-2049 / Watsamon Saowakhonsathien Tel: 0-2229-2797