Monday, 31 March 2008

Bangkok Book Fair 2008

36th National Book Fair & Bangkok International Book Fair 2008

Date: 26 March - 7 April, 2008
Owner: The Publishers and Booksellers Associations of Thailand (PUBAT)
Time: 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. : Mar 26, 2008
10 a.m. - 9 p.m. : Mar 27 - Apr 7, 2008

Following comments made during the last Bangkok International Book Fair, the Publishers and Booksellers Association of Thailand (PUBAT) have decided to reduce the number of days of the International Book Fair 2008, from twelve to just five days. In addition, the international zone will be situated in a more prominent area, namely the meeting room 1-4. These are conveniently located at the front of the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, to ensure maximum access from the public.

Objectives:
- To initiate and promote the role of Thailand as the buying and selling of copyrights hub in this region.
- To provide a global meeting place for the exchange of ideas for those involved in the printing and publishing industry.
- To create a marketplace for domestic and overseas publishers.

Slogan: “Open a Book: Open the World”
This slogan vividly conveys the idea that books are the gateway to the world, whether it is the world of fantasy and imagination reached through fiction, or the world of facts and information accessed through non-fiction.

Source: www.bangkokibf.com

Sunday, 30 March 2008

FCCT Art/Photo Gallery

- Tomorrow is your last chance to visit the March exhibition: Burma 2007 - Uprising, Crackdown and Now.

The exhibit will feature photographs taken by Burmese citizen journalists of the demonstrations in August – September 2007 calling for freedom and democracy. Photographs of everyday lives of people as well as beautiful scenery in Burma will also be displayed. Captions will be provided in both Japanese and English.

- In addition, FCCT features another exhibition of photographs which will close on March 31 titled, 'Free Burma's political Prisoners Now!'.

The photographs are images of political prisoners' lives, forms of punishment and conditions in detention, and education efforts behind bars. They include portraits of political prisoners currently detained including those held in the notorious Insein Prison, as well as those who have died in custody or since their release. There are now at least 1,873 political prisoners in Burma.

The exhibition is sponsored by the Forum for Democracy in Burma (FDB) and Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), who view the release of all political prisoners as the most crucial step in any further move towards political settlement of Burma's political and social crises.

Exhibition Hours: 10:00 am - 11:00 pm
Location: The Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (see map)

Source: FCCT

Saturday, 29 March 2008

The King of Thailand in World Focus

The outstanding updated edition of The King of Thailand in World Focus (2007) is now available from the The Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT) office at these prices:

- FCCT member price: 1,200 baht each (for the first 3 books and 1.450 baht for additonal books).

- Non-member price: 1,450 bahtBulk sales (20 or more) 1,250 baht for members and non-members alike.

- Also available at all branches of Asiabooks, B2S, Bookazine and Kinokuniya bookstores for 1,450 baht.

Friday, 28 March 2008

Filipino Blogroll

To accommodate the ever growing Filipino blogosphere, I've started a Filipino Blogroll on my two blogs (www.teacherinthailand.com and www.storiesfromthailand.com). Those interested in link exchanges, leave a message here.

Bangkok International Book Fair 2008

The 36th National Book Fair and the Bangkok International Book Fair 2008 is back! With hundreds of booths, and their big discounts, and numerous exhibitions and activities, the event is being held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Hall until April 7. The international book fair ends on Sunday, March 30.

Below are some highlights:
- An exhibition on Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana's life and written works. At the 'Shining Rainbow' corner, you can express your gratitude to the late princess by buying a ten-baht card and writing your condolence messages, or a 'Shining Rainbow' CD-book set sold at the booth. All proceeds will go to five charity organisations under the auspices of the late HRH Princess.

- At Booth Z02, children will get a chance to learn about global warming and to check on how their own daily habit may have contributed to the phenomenon. A similar theme is also the focus of booth X07, with activities on tree planting, and how to reduce, reuse and recycle.

- Booth Z04 revolves around the concept of Book Start, with ideas on how parents can induce their child into the world of books from a very young age.

- Enjoy discounts of up to 50 per cent at the booth of Silkworm Books, Mekong Press and Paragon Asia (offers last until tomorrow, so you'd better hurry!)

- Tomorrow (March 30) afternoon, from 1 to 2 pm, Sathaporn booth (E02) will launch a Thai translation of best-selling Taiwanese book titled Mae Phom Keb Khaya Khai (My Mother Is a Garbage Scavenger).

- On Tuesday (April 1), from 2 to 4 pm, Nanmee Books' booth features a special book launch of the Thai translation of Sirin Pattanothai' s memoir entitled The Dragon's Pearl or Mook Mangkorn. Sirin and her elder brother Wanwai will talk about their unforgettable experiences being sent to China during the early days of the communist revolution. On Thursday (April 3), from 3 to 5 pm, the publisher will launch a new collection of short stories and eight novel books by Prapassorn Sewikul. The event is to celebrate the diplomat-writer' s sixtieth birthday anniversary with a special poetry recitation and a roundtable panel by prominent literary critics and writers.

- The booth of the Quest Foundation (O06) which specialises in books by Krishnarmurti will launch a Thai translation of the guru's book titled Can Humanity Change. The foundation has imported several more books and DVDs, in English and Thai. Among them are: Think on These Things, Don't Make a Problem of Anything, A Flame of Learning, Choiceless Awareness, and Social Responsibility.

- Last but not least, visit the German Pavilion. As the guest of honour for this year's International Bangkok Book Fair, a pool of German-language publishers have put together a wide array of activities ranging from hand puppetry to science experiment and a chance to meet three top German writers. On display are over 1,000 titles from 200 publishing houses in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The subjects range from climate change, youth books, classical music and jazz and a selection of best designed German books.

One must-try activity is called 'The Textbox' which provides a unique opportunity for the audience to listen to the performing authors, Thai and German writers, in complete intimacy through headphones in a Plexiglas cabin. Created by two rap poets from Germany, Bas Bottcher and Timo Brunke, the idea is to allow both the author and his/her listener to be united through every syllable and alliteration, without interference from the surrounding world. Translations of the texts will be displayed in Thai language on a LCD-screen.

Another highlight is attendance of three celebrated authors of the German language: Julia Franck (recipient of the German Book Prize 2007 for Best Novel), Silke Scheuermann and the Swiss writer Zoe Jenny. Their books are popular far beyond German speaking countries and have been translated into over a dozen languages.

Source:
Bangkok Writers' Guild mail list
Logo design: Eric Barrientos
Logo concept: A.D. Thompson

Thursday, 27 March 2008

Bangkok Writers Workshop

When? Friday, March 28, 2008
What time? 6:30 pm
Where? Bitter Brown Cafe
Location: Across from Sukhumvit MRT or a 5 minutes walk from Asoke BTS
Why? We write, we share, we started a nation, we celebrate

Website
: http://bkkwriters.googlepages.com/
Logo design: Eric Barrientos
Logo concept: A.D. Thompson

Language / Culture Exchange in Bangkok

When? Friday, March 28, 2008 at 7:00 PM
Where? Coffee World, Silom Complex, B Floor
How do I get there? Silom Complex is connected via a bridge from Saladaeng BTS Station on the northern side of the station and also Kitty corner from the MRT Silom Station. Located at 191 Silom Road, just south of the intersection of Silom and Rama IV Road. Coffee World is in the lowest level.
What? This will be a casual affair to get you geared up for the rest of the evening (at your leisure). It's Friday night. It's the end of March. It's a great group of people. It's a chance to dive into a cultural exchange in depth. How many more reasons do you need to come out and play with us?
Why? FUN, LAUGHS, LEARNING, NEW FRIENDS
What about food and drinks?
They only have simple drinks and light snacks, so I would recommend having dinner before you arrive. There is a huge selection of restaurants in Silom Complex as well to suit your taste so it is a convenient venue all the same.

Source: http://www.meetup.com/

Wednesday, 26 March 2008

Events at FCCT

The following events will take place tomorrow, March 27, at The Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT).

- UNESCAP Press Conference: Launch of the Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2008 (10:00 am) - Click here for details.

- International Association of Business Communications presents: Business Helping the Environment (12:15 pm) - Click here for details.

- Contemporary World Cinema: The Bet Collector and a short film, Boiling Point (8:00 pm) - Click here for details.

Website: http://www.fccthai.com/

Tuesday, 25 March 2008

Expatriate Authors in Asia

Writing for a Niche Market or a Wider World?

A round-table discussion with Dean Barrett, Christopher Moore, Stephen Leather, and Colin Cotterill

When? Wednesday, March 26 at 8:00 pm
How much? Cover charge for non-members: 300 Baht
Where? Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand
Where's that? Penthouse, Maneeya Center Building, 518/5 Ploenchit Road (connected to the BTS Skytrain Chitlom station)
More info? Website: http://www.fccthai.com/

Friday, 21 March 2008

Off to Koh Samet

Thursday, 20 March 2008

Thai Art

The purpose of AsiaArtMart is to create an online platform through which the artists and artisans of Asia can display their works to global prospective customers. AsiaArtMart does not charge artists any fees for listing their items on the website. Furthermore, artists remain fully independent--they are free to raise their prices, lower their prices, or remove their items from thier website. By cutting out the long strings of middlemen, AsiaArtMart allows both consumers and artists to get the most out of each transaction.

The uniqueness of AsiaArtMart is how this online gallery offers inspirational paintings and creations designed by artists and craft masters from across Southeast Asia. Items range from creations by emerging young, artists, designers and craft masters, and many famous artists and craftsmen from throughout Southeast Asia.


Wednesday, 19 March 2008

Vietnam, here I come!

In preparation for my trip to Vietnam, I'm reading the Lonely Planet guide to Vietnam. The history section is really interesting.


The guide offers:
- Interviews with locals
- Tips on how to escape the tourist trail
- Special chapter on Hill Tribes with info on how to travel responsibly
- Activities section including trekking, diving & snorkelling, cycling, motorbiking, surfing and windsurfing

Fore more click here!
Oher guides for Vietnam can be found here!

Friday, 14 March 2008

I Love to Read

Asia Book's "I Love to Read" book promotion

For every 1500 baht spent on Children Books and Draw a Lucky Dip win 5 classes at Gymboree, 1000 books and 500 gifts.

The promotion is applied for Children Category only, after discount, until stock last.

Period
: Mar 1-31, 2008

More details here!

Monday, 10 March 2008

Somtow's "City of Angels"

Book Launch at the Neilson Hays Library
The Other City of Angels by S.P. Somtow
Wednesday, March 26th at 7:00 pm

The Other City of Angels is a dark comedy about Bangkok in the 90s, populated with wild characters and with intimate glimpses into the eccentric antics of Asia’s upper classes. Called “the most well known expatriate Thai in the world” by the International Herald Tribune, S.P. Somtow is the author of some 47 books, including Vampire Junction and Jasmine Nights.

Directions: the library is located on Surawong Road right next door to the British Club. The Library is a 15- to 20-minute walk or a short taxi ride from the BTS Skytrain station at Chong Nonsi or Surasak. A taxi ride from the BTS or MRT on Silom (BTS Sala Daeng/MRT Silom) costs about ฿40.

Source: Erin's newsletter

Friday, 7 March 2008

Bangkok Blondes

"Tomorrow, starting 2 pm, Kinokuniya Emporium is holding a special book signing for the Bangkok Blondes - bestselling story collection by the Bangkok Women's Writers Group.

You are all invited! Please come and meet the Bangkok Blondes, members of the Bangkok Womens' Writers Group and authors of this successful book which was named "one of the best books about Asia in 2007" by The Nation Sunday Review.

Since I am the coordinator of the BWWG and my stories are in Bangkok Blondes - and since I am also an avid and eager member of the Bangkok Book Crossers I would love you to be there too."

Message from Anette

Tuesday, 4 March 2008

Book signing event

Saturday, March 8 at Kinokuniya Emporium, between 2 p.m and 4 p.m., a book signing event will take place, featuring the authors of best-selling title Bangkok Blondes. The book was described last December by the Nation newspaper as "one of the year's best books on Asia."

Monday, 3 March 2008

Bangkok Bookcrossers

The next Bangkok Bookcrossers meeting is this Tuesday, March 4th, at 6:30pm. We'll be meeting at Bert's, located in the ground floor of the Zen department store at Central World.

If you're coming from inside Central World, Bert's is on your left as you enter the cosmetics section. If you take the skytrain, the easiest way to get to Bert's is to go to Chidlom station and take the skywalk to the first Central World exit. Instead of taking the escalator into Central World, go down the stairs, up onto the plaza in front of Central World and walk straight ahead. Bert's has an outside entrance--you should be able to see it from the skywalk.

Sunday, 2 March 2008

New books about Thailand

Bangkok Books published many new exciting titles the last month as follows:

1. Tagalog-Thai phrasebook (with or without CD)
2. Revenge of Axel Trink by Mitch Vladimir
3. Cyber Freundin by Neville Allen
4. Those Who Hear by SIM
5. Norwegian-Thai phrasebook (with or without CD)

Visit their website at http://www.bangkokbooks.com/ to read about those books as well as find information about the authors.

All the books are available in Thailand at Asia Books (33 branches), Bookazine (25 branches), B2S (20 branches), Kinokuniya (3 branches), Nai-In (Suvarnabhumi airport & MBK shopping Mall), airports (Bangkok, Phuket, Samui, Chiangmai), hotels, Suriwong Book Center, DK bookstores and many smaller independent bookstores.

In Singapore and Malaysia you can find our books at Borders, Kinokuniya, MPH, Times and airports oronline directly at http://www.bangkokbooks.com/ or various online bookshops.