Bangkok--3 Mar-- Mrs.Risuan Aramcharoen, President of the Publishers and Booksellers Association of Thailand is confident the publishing business continues to grow in 2008. Public and private sectors are joining hands to make the 36th National BookFair and the 6th Bangkok International Book Fair the country’s largest fair. With 870 booths and more than 400 publishers, the fair expects to attract more than 1.5 million visitors in 13 days. The current political stability generates the growth by seven to eight per cent or more than Bt500 million for the fair. Gurus will also be discussing about “The Direction of Publishing Business for 2008”. President Risuan Aramcharoen of the Publishers and Booksellers Association of Thailand (Pubat) says the publishing business continues to grow, resulting from the increasing number of books hitting the shelves and Thai’s changing reading habit. And the fair is a market for the readers and publishers to meet. Pubat, the Education Ministry, Thai Health Promotion Foundation and public and private sectors are joining hands to hold the 36th National Book Fair and the 6th Bangkok International Book Fair 2008 between March 26 and April 7 at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. “The concept of this year is Knowledge, the more you read the more you gain, to promote reading among Thai readers of all ages, particularly the young readers through parents and teachers. The fair will also be a platform for Thai and international publishers to learn about the local and world book market which will help Thai authors to improve their writing for the international market,” says Risuan. The 36th National Book Fair and the 6th Bangkok International Book Fair is to feature books and reading materials, exhibitions and stage for readers to enjoy the book launches and variety of books and textbooks from more than 400 publishers in more than 870 booths. Divided into different zones in more than 20,000 square meters, Plenary Hall features general books and international titles; Zone C1 offers general books; Zone C2 general books, children’s book, textbooks and used books; Zone Plaza general books; Zone Atrium features exhibitions and activities; . This year fair also received Germany as a Guest of Honor 2008 in เมนฟอร์เย่ while Meeting Rooms 1 - 4 present book exhibitions and international book titles sales. “Readers are looking forward to the book fair. The concept of the fair is not only to encourage everyone to read books published for their age, but also to be the stage for publishers to improve their books for the international market. This year is the largest ever fair in the country to have more than 870 booths and expects to attract more than 1.5 million visitors throughout 13 days.” Risuan continues last year market value for publishing industry reached Bt18 billion, grew by 6 to 7 per cent which was higher than expected. The factor of the growth has been the increasing number of bookstores. This year the industry expects to grow by another 6 to 7 per cent, thanks to confidence of the investors and customers after the political stability has been restored. Moreover, the publishers have produced books catering the current readers. Gurus in the industry will be discussing about “The Direction of the Publishing Business 2008” seminar held by Pubat. The 6th Bangkok International Book Fair 2008 is held between March 26 and 30 and the 36th Nation Book Fair between March 26 and April 7 at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. The fair will be presided over by HRH Princess Sirindhorn at 4pm on March 26 and open for public from 6pm onwards. However, the fair will be open for public from 10am to 9pm between from March 27 onwards. For more information, click www.thailandbookfair.com or www.bangkokibf.com .