Plans to promote reading among Thais

Education Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said yesterday that a committee was studying tax measures to see how they can encourage Thais to read more.

"Perhaps, we should offer tax refunds when people present receipts of previous book purchases," he said. "We could also offer tax deductions to private firms if they donate books."

According to Jurin, the committee is expected to present a proposal to the Reading Promotion Committee (RPC) on October 1. "We will then refer the proposal to the Cabinet." Jurin was speaking after a meeting with the RPC.

The committee has set several goals that it hopes to achieve by 2012, including getting Thais to read at least 10 books instead of just five per year.