“It’s the first book of its kind to present developments in Thailand in the format of a collation of news stories, which makes it easy for readers to gain knowledge enjoyably” – Dr. Wissanu Krea-Ngam
Over 1,800 photographs, illustrations and cartoons, as well as 2,300 headline stories
Editions Didier Millet and Post Publishing, today (9 November), announced the publication of a landmark book that presents major events in Thailand since 1946 as it was reported through headline news, and which will be in bookstores by 18th November 2009.
Called “Chronicle of Thailand: Headline News Since 1946”, the publication presents dramatic happenings during the reign of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej through 1,800 photographs, illustrations and cartoons, as well as 2,300 headline stories in a handsome 444-page book.
“It’s the first of its kind and highly readable,” said Dr. Wissanu Krea-Ngam, Chairman of the Editorial Advisory Board of the book and former Deputy Prime Minister. “We wanted to help people get a quick feel for key developments in Thailand since 1946 in a way that remained factual and neutral. Presenting information in the format of a collation of news stories makes it easy for readers to gain knowledge enjoyably, while still allowing them to interpret events for themselves,” he said.
“The book offers, in a visually exciting format, a view of events as they unfolded, including the coronation of His Majesty, the Vietnam War era, the October 1973 uprising, economic booms, great sporting moments, unforgettable tragedies, as well as quirky aspects of daily life that just happened to make the headlines,” said Dr. Wissanu.
“The book offers, in a visually exciting format, a view of events as they unfolded, including the coronation of His Majesty, the Vietnam War era, the October 1973 uprising, economic booms, great sporting moments, unforgettable tragedies, as well as quirky aspects of daily life that just happened to make the headlines,” said Dr. Wissanu.
Noted historian Associate Professor Tongthong Chandransu, who is also a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of the book, said, “By presenting Thailand’s modern history through a collection of news stories that are organized by year, ‘Chronicle of Thailand’ puts key political developments into the context of other events happening at the time – whether it be social, or cultural or sporting. It helps one better understand the mood of the times, through words and pictures, and brings to life key developments in our country’s history in a way that is fun to read.”
“For example, as you flip through the years, you can quickly get a feel for the sweep of developments and see how similar incidents around key issues like communism, terrorism or coups lead to differing outcomes, reflecting the progress that our country is making. You can easily trace the roots of longstanding issues, as with, for example, Khao Phra Viharn,” he said.
“It’s also entertaining because we have included amusing tidbits that made the headlines, even though they may not have been of great historical significance,” said Assoc. Prof. Tongthong.
He said that, “The strong visual layout and dramatic photographs should help make ‘Chronicle of Thailand’ a useful companion for people from all walks of life, including those with a casual interest in Thailand, as well as academics, journalists, and students.”
Kingdom in 2007. Editions Didier Millet has also produced ‘Chronicle of Singapore’ and ‘Chronicle of Malaysia’.
“The book’s international distribution and availability on Amazon.com will help non-Thais understand Thailand better, too,” he said.
The co-publisher, Editions Didier Millet, has produced a string of successful books on Thailand, including ‘The King of Thailand in World Focus’, and ‘Thailand: 9 Days in the Kingdom’. The latter was produced on the occasion of the 80th birthday anniversary of HM the King, and gathered 55 world class photographers to record daily life in the ‘Chronicle of Thailand’’s Editorial Advisory Board also includes Dr. Borwornsak Uwanno, Secretary-General of the King Prajadhipok Institute, and Mr. Vitthaya Vejjajiva, former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Gold Sponsors of the book are Bangkok Bank and Central Group of Companies. Other sponsors include the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Bureau of the Crown Property, PTT plc, CH. Karnchang pcl, Bangkok Expressway pcl and Thai Tap Water Supply pcl, as well as Jim Thompson, James HW Thompson Foundation, Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok, and Bangkok Public Relations Ltd.
The official launch of the book is scheduled for 18th November 2009 and will be presided over by Mr. Anand Panyarachun at a reception at the Four Seasons Hotel.
‘Chronicle of Thailand’ is available from 18 November 2009 at leading bookstores in Thailand, priced at Bht 1,450.
It is co-published by Editions Didier Millet and Post Publishing.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Hatoyama has political capital to spend-will he?
With Japan's public debt set to bulge to more than double its GDP this year, new Prime Minister Yuki Hatoyama has little to spend - except the political capital that is keeping his support rates above 60%.
Some pundits say that now is the time for Mr Hatoyama to make some tough decisions about delaying costly spending programmes - but with an-other election less than a year away and the economy at risk of slipping back into recession, many wonder if he will.
Support for Mr Hatoyama's cabinet slipped eight points to 63% in a Yomiuri newspaper poll published on Tuesday,while 85% of the 1,074 respondents said they'd rather see some campaign pledges broken than a rise in Japan's already huge debt."In terms of spending priorities, it might be possible to prepare public opinion for changes in details in the run-up to the upper house election,"said Sophia University's Koichi Nakano."But it would be risky.
"Even if the majority agree some policies are not needed and are worried about public finances more than mani-festo commitments, there is not necessarily agreement on what is not necessary."
Mr Hatoyama's Democratic Party of Japan swept to a huge election victory in August pledging to cut wasteful spending and put more cash in the hands of consumers and workers to stimulate growth at home. But falling tax revenues due to the fragile economy, and a public debt seen topping 200% of gross domestic product this year are making it hard to find funds.
Mr Hatoyama's high support could give him a window to put off keeping some expensive promises, such as an unpopular plan to make highways tollfree or ending a decades-old surcharge on gasoline that will cost the government 2.5 trillion yen ($27.81 billion) in lost tax revenues annually.
But analysts say taking voters at their word could backfire ahead of the election for parliament's upper house set for mid-2010."Whatever policy is targeted, someone will say 'That's not what I meant',"said Mr Nakano of Sophia University.
A poor showing in the upper house election could revive a parliamentary deadlock and stall policy implementation, and a failure by the Democrats to win an outright majority would leave them beholden to two small but vocal coalition partners.
Holding down spending could also risk sending the economy back into re-cession, given the fragility of its recovery from Japan's worst downturn."They can't address the state of finances at a time like this," Mr Nakano said. And focusing on the market-friendly reforms some economists say are needed could be a tough-sell given Mr Hatoyama's promises to voters to pursue a kinder,gentler capitalism.
Mr Hatoyama has also pledged not to raise Japan's 5% sales tax for the next five years, although most economists say a rise will be needed to cope with the increasing social security costs of the world's fastest-ageing population.
"There are no good choices here,"said Robert Feldman, chief economist at Morgan Stanley in Tokyo.
Some pundits say that now is the time for Mr Hatoyama to make some tough decisions about delaying costly spending programmes - but with an-other election less than a year away and the economy at risk of slipping back into recession, many wonder if he will.
Support for Mr Hatoyama's cabinet slipped eight points to 63% in a Yomiuri newspaper poll published on Tuesday,while 85% of the 1,074 respondents said they'd rather see some campaign pledges broken than a rise in Japan's already huge debt."In terms of spending priorities, it might be possible to prepare public opinion for changes in details in the run-up to the upper house election,"said Sophia University's Koichi Nakano."But it would be risky.
"Even if the majority agree some policies are not needed and are worried about public finances more than mani-festo commitments, there is not necessarily agreement on what is not necessary."
Mr Hatoyama's Democratic Party of Japan swept to a huge election victory in August pledging to cut wasteful spending and put more cash in the hands of consumers and workers to stimulate growth at home. But falling tax revenues due to the fragile economy, and a public debt seen topping 200% of gross domestic product this year are making it hard to find funds.
Mr Hatoyama's high support could give him a window to put off keeping some expensive promises, such as an unpopular plan to make highways tollfree or ending a decades-old surcharge on gasoline that will cost the government 2.5 trillion yen ($27.81 billion) in lost tax revenues annually.
But analysts say taking voters at their word could backfire ahead of the election for parliament's upper house set for mid-2010."Whatever policy is targeted, someone will say 'That's not what I meant',"said Mr Nakano of Sophia University.
A poor showing in the upper house election could revive a parliamentary deadlock and stall policy implementation, and a failure by the Democrats to win an outright majority would leave them beholden to two small but vocal coalition partners.
Holding down spending could also risk sending the economy back into re-cession, given the fragility of its recovery from Japan's worst downturn."They can't address the state of finances at a time like this," Mr Nakano said. And focusing on the market-friendly reforms some economists say are needed could be a tough-sell given Mr Hatoyama's promises to voters to pursue a kinder,gentler capitalism.
Mr Hatoyama has also pledged not to raise Japan's 5% sales tax for the next five years, although most economists say a rise will be needed to cope with the increasing social security costs of the world's fastest-ageing population.
"There are no good choices here,"said Robert Feldman, chief economist at Morgan Stanley in Tokyo.
EC SEEKS COURT RULING ON MANIT SHARE TRADING
The Election Commission will seek a Constitution Court ruling on whether to disqualify Deputy Public Health Minister Manit Nopamornbodi from office for holding shares in companies related to the media or state concessions.
Election Commission secretary-general Suthipol Thaweechaikarn said of 29 MPs the EC had referred for a Constitution Court ruling on whether to disqualify them for holding shares in prohibited businesses, four were ministers: Deputy Transport Minister Kuakul Danchaiwijit, Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat, Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart and Manit.
The EC panel found that of the four, only Manit held prohibited shares on the day he assumed his ministerial post on December 20 last year. The three others sold the shares before taking up their posts.
Manit held 500 shares in True Corp from December 24, 2002- October 7, 2009 and 4 million shares in TPI Polene from January 21, 2004. He traded some shares 17 times, the latest on December 23 last year.
Suthipol said the EC believed Manit had violated Articles 265 and 267, resulting in disqualification and removal from his ministerial post, in accordance with Article 182 (7).
He denied the EC intended to harass Manit but it needed to check on whether holding prohibited shares should result in him being disqualified as minister.
Manit said he respected the EC's decision but would not resign till the Constitution Court issued its ruling.
He admitted he held 500 True shares, however since there were only a few hundred he did not sell them before assuming the post.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said it would be too soon to decide whether to reshuffle the Cabinet following the EC decision. He said the government would rather wait till the Constitution Court announced its decision.
Election Commission secretary-general Suthipol Thaweechaikarn said of 29 MPs the EC had referred for a Constitution Court ruling on whether to disqualify them for holding shares in prohibited businesses, four were ministers: Deputy Transport Minister Kuakul Danchaiwijit, Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat, Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart and Manit.
The EC panel found that of the four, only Manit held prohibited shares on the day he assumed his ministerial post on December 20 last year. The three others sold the shares before taking up their posts.
Manit held 500 shares in True Corp from December 24, 2002- October 7, 2009 and 4 million shares in TPI Polene from January 21, 2004. He traded some shares 17 times, the latest on December 23 last year.
Suthipol said the EC believed Manit had violated Articles 265 and 267, resulting in disqualification and removal from his ministerial post, in accordance with Article 182 (7).
He denied the EC intended to harass Manit but it needed to check on whether holding prohibited shares should result in him being disqualified as minister.
Manit said he respected the EC's decision but would not resign till the Constitution Court issued its ruling.
He admitted he held 500 True shares, however since there were only a few hundred he did not sell them before assuming the post.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said it would be too soon to decide whether to reshuffle the Cabinet following the EC decision. He said the government would rather wait till the Constitution Court announced its decision.
Making books affordable
The National Book Fair starting tomorrow flashed me back to several similar real-life dramas I saw at the last event earlier this year. A girl looked desperately at a colourful book while the mother rushed her to move on to other stalls as she could not afford the price. At another booth selling history magazines and pocketbooks, a boy arrived to show the seller all his money and asked how many books he could get from the amount. It's a pity for many children that they cannot read any book they want as their families cannot afford pricey children's books.
What I witnessed seems to contradict the government's publicity aimed at fostering youths' reading habits -with a vow that reading is the foundation of intellectual development. The cabinet in August adopted "reading" as the national agenda and 2009-2019 has been designated a "decade of reading". A committee promoting the reading chaired by the Education Ministry will drive the agenda to reality.
But how can poor children in the countryside have a chance to read good non-textbooks as many of them still don't have enough food to eat in a day? One easy answer is, going to a school or community library. But I am still sceptical about the titles available in those libraries,whether they are attractive enough to draw the interest of young children. Another issue is how many community libraries does Thailand have? Are they accessible to rural children?
The government is currently campaigning aggressively to establish a "creative economy" with a hefty budget of around 20 billion baht. Supporting the private sector to produce more affordable quality children's books should be put in this scheme as certainly books would better fit the criteria of a creative economy than fixing damaged fences at an ancient site. The government has for decades provided incentives to promote investment in several industries and services to drive the economy. Is it possible for publishers to be given some incentives to print quality reading materials so they can produce lower-priced books to serve the public? I believe Thai publishers have tried their best to publish good books but have not succeeded in knocking down the price to an affordable level for low and medium-income families.
The book distribution system is another worrying factor that can determine the survival of many publishing houses,especially small ones. Currently, most publishers pin their hopes on sales at the National Book Fair, organised twice a year in Bangkok, plus a few times on a smaller scale in the major provinces.
Several small publishers say over half of their annual sales are generated by the two fairs, forcing them to print out new titles at the fair to avoid missing the most important marketing opportunities.The process partly results in inferior quality of the books, proven by errors in the first edition or more updated information in later editions.
A study by the Publishers and Booksellers Association of Thailand shows that 13,348 titles were introduced to the market in 2008 or 36.57 new titles each day. Imagine how difficult it is for a publisher to roll out a best-selling book amidst all the new titles put on shelves each day.
Thailand had 512 publishers as of last year - around 83%were small publishers with less than 30 million baht in annual sales,7% were large publishers with over 100 million baht sales. The rest were medium-sized. However, the medium and large publishers controlled 86% of the 18.9-billion-baht sales in 2008.That sales structure will be similar to this year's projected figure of 19-19.2 billion baht. What will be different is the the diminishing share of small publishers who cannot withstand the economic struggle and are losing liquidity to continue their business.
With the fair's fixed schedule, book readers, especially in Bangkok, are waiting to shop for new books from the over-crowded events - estimated to attract 1.5 million fairgoers in each edition. They would cut their visits to local bookshops as publishers normally give discounts of 20-50% in exchange for getting cash and bypassing the distributing agents. This is one of the reasons why individually-owned bookshops are unlikely to survive in Thailand. Only chain-bookstores are flourishing. The association's statistics counted 2,995 active bookshops last year, a sharp rise from 1,913 in 2007 as the figure included small Book Smile corners at 7-Eleven convenience stores.
Thailand is still far from being a knowledge-based economy as average spending per year of the Thai people on books is only 300 baht. The government will need great concrete efforts to cultivate the reading habit, which will become true only when books are affordable and accessible to all who want to read them.
What I witnessed seems to contradict the government's publicity aimed at fostering youths' reading habits -with a vow that reading is the foundation of intellectual development. The cabinet in August adopted "reading" as the national agenda and 2009-2019 has been designated a "decade of reading". A committee promoting the reading chaired by the Education Ministry will drive the agenda to reality.
But how can poor children in the countryside have a chance to read good non-textbooks as many of them still don't have enough food to eat in a day? One easy answer is, going to a school or community library. But I am still sceptical about the titles available in those libraries,whether they are attractive enough to draw the interest of young children. Another issue is how many community libraries does Thailand have? Are they accessible to rural children?
The government is currently campaigning aggressively to establish a "creative economy" with a hefty budget of around 20 billion baht. Supporting the private sector to produce more affordable quality children's books should be put in this scheme as certainly books would better fit the criteria of a creative economy than fixing damaged fences at an ancient site. The government has for decades provided incentives to promote investment in several industries and services to drive the economy. Is it possible for publishers to be given some incentives to print quality reading materials so they can produce lower-priced books to serve the public? I believe Thai publishers have tried their best to publish good books but have not succeeded in knocking down the price to an affordable level for low and medium-income families.
The book distribution system is another worrying factor that can determine the survival of many publishing houses,especially small ones. Currently, most publishers pin their hopes on sales at the National Book Fair, organised twice a year in Bangkok, plus a few times on a smaller scale in the major provinces.
Several small publishers say over half of their annual sales are generated by the two fairs, forcing them to print out new titles at the fair to avoid missing the most important marketing opportunities.The process partly results in inferior quality of the books, proven by errors in the first edition or more updated information in later editions.
A study by the Publishers and Booksellers Association of Thailand shows that 13,348 titles were introduced to the market in 2008 or 36.57 new titles each day. Imagine how difficult it is for a publisher to roll out a best-selling book amidst all the new titles put on shelves each day.
Thailand had 512 publishers as of last year - around 83%were small publishers with less than 30 million baht in annual sales,7% were large publishers with over 100 million baht sales. The rest were medium-sized. However, the medium and large publishers controlled 86% of the 18.9-billion-baht sales in 2008.That sales structure will be similar to this year's projected figure of 19-19.2 billion baht. What will be different is the the diminishing share of small publishers who cannot withstand the economic struggle and are losing liquidity to continue their business.
With the fair's fixed schedule, book readers, especially in Bangkok, are waiting to shop for new books from the over-crowded events - estimated to attract 1.5 million fairgoers in each edition. They would cut their visits to local bookshops as publishers normally give discounts of 20-50% in exchange for getting cash and bypassing the distributing agents. This is one of the reasons why individually-owned bookshops are unlikely to survive in Thailand. Only chain-bookstores are flourishing. The association's statistics counted 2,995 active bookshops last year, a sharp rise from 1,913 in 2007 as the figure included small Book Smile corners at 7-Eleven convenience stores.
Thailand is still far from being a knowledge-based economy as average spending per year of the Thai people on books is only 300 baht. The government will need great concrete efforts to cultivate the reading habit, which will become true only when books are affordable and accessible to all who want to read them.
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