Bangkok may be in the running to be Unesco's next World Book Capital, but those who make a living from books are divided on whether a new title will excite interest in the best sellers' list.

"If Bangkok is selected, it would be a giant step towards promoting a stronger reading culture among Thais," said the secretary-general of the Publishers and Booksellers Association of Thailand (PBAT), Worapan Worapan Lokitsataporn.

"Many projects will be undertaken to increase awareness of the importance of reading. All relevant authorities will be asked to join the programme, which should include regular campaigns and improvements to libraries in Bangkok," he said.

However, the managing editor of publisher Rawarg Banthad (Between the Lines) is less sanguine about Bangkok winning the title World Book Capital.

 "I didn't even know that such a title existed," Duangruethai Asanachatang said. "It sounds like advertising to me."

Seawrite Award winning poet Jiranan Pitpreecha was also scep-tical.

"Going international might be good for some areas like fashion or food, but I don't think it is good for books," Jiranan said. "We are not an English language-speaking society so we may not be suitable as the book capital."

The publishers and booksellers behind Bangkok's bid, say that if the capital wins the designation it will raise its profile as a publishing centre and promote reading.

PBAT nominated Bangkok last month and Unesco will announce the winner this summer, Worapan said.

"If the bid is accepted, Bangkok will be a role model for the rest of Thailand and it will be the springboard for other provinces to follow. The city is seen as the most prepared for WBC status," he said.

New Delhi, Amsterdam and Bogota have been World Book Capitals before.

Seawrite Award winner Prabda Yoon doubted Bangkok would win.

"It would be very strange if Bangkok won. Other places might be more suitable," he said.

Even if Bangkok is selected, some publishers doubt this will stimulate reading.

"I cannot imagine how it will work," said Niwat Bhuthaprasart, of Porcupine Book and Publishing House.

Ong-art Jiraon, managing editor of Amarin Printing and Publishing, wondered whether Bangkok was ready.

"We have to do something like this but the move should be gradual with capital of Asean or Asia first," he said.

A title will not turn Thais into readers, said Ruangdej Jantarakhadi, a 30-year veteran of the book industry.

"Most Thais aren't avid readers. In more advanced nations, the best-selling books will be sold to at least 1 per cent of the population, but figures for Thailand are far below that," Ruangdej said.

Worapan agreed that the publishing industry had a difficult time grabbing people's attention.

"In a day, we normally sleep for eight hours. The rest of time is for work or study and a long list of activities from watching TV to travelling and playing sports," he said.

"How to turn more people on to books is the point. We have to compete with other activities."

Prabda noted "reading is not always the easiest thing to do compared to other activities like listening to music or watching movies."

"But certain groups are natural readers and a strong reading habit can be promoted," he added.

Worapan says the government can play a role in this, and has applauded strong support of book fairs and the Sinsakorn industrial estate in Samut Sakhon, which is offering attractive incentives to investors in order to become a hub for the industry.

Ong-aj said the government should go farther and increase financial incentives, such as tax breaks, so publishers could cut book prices.

Ruangdej agreed about the importance of low prices. "Public libraries and low-book prices are the key factors for success if we want to instil a strong reading culture," she said.

Why not start a one-library-one-tambon programme, she asked, adding small publishing houses should be given more state support.

"More small publishers would increase the diversity of books available. Without subsidies, small dealers will not survive and the big ones will monopolise the market," she said.

Readers would pay the price, she added,

Kamol Sukin

The Nation