More than 150 publishing houses are participating in the festival, which is being held at the Queen Sirikit Convention Centre between July 6 and 11.

Taking up 11,000 square metres, the 300-plus displays will encourage kids to get between the covers of a book, instead of zapping monsters on their PCs.

The Book Festival for Young People 2006 will promote reading habits among young people, according to Thanachai Santichaikul, president of the Publishers and Booksellers Association of Thailand.

He explained that the festival concept for 2006 is to promote reading and provide knowledge-based activities.

"This year, there are 154 publishing houses joining us. They will be featured in 309 booths," he said.

There will be two separate zones. One is for under-eights emphasising fun activities. The zone also features an exhibition showing talents His Majesty the King learned when he was young.

The other zone is for youths aged nine to 18 years. Here all the attention is on academic activities and books.

Thanachai said another highlight was the second Thai Junior Encyclopaedia Project contest. The winner will receive a cup presented by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

Another draw-card is a contest to illustrate children's books.

Five hundred underprivileged children will receive Bt300 gift vouchers to buy books at the festival.

A recent Abac survey revealed that Thai children aged 12 and 13 years spend more time reading

on the Internet than reading books.

It also found youths were into online gaming and chat rooms rather than reading books.

Privy Councillor Kasem Wattanachai said all state authorities should help instil good reading habits in young people. His Majesty the King has said, "Books are the bank of knowledge."

"The government should support training and courses to encourage people to write children's literature. Reducing tax on imported paper will reduce the cost of books," Kasem said.

He called for the setting up of a committee to distribute books to children in remote areas.