PM pleases Thais spend more time on reading

BANGKOK, April 9 (TNA) -- Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-ocha is pleased to learn that Thai people spend an average of 66 minutes on reading per day compared to only 37 minutes daily in 2013, said a spokesman of the Prime Minister’s Office. Spokesman Maj Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd said the prime minister was happy over the joint reports by the National Statistical Office and Thailand Knowledge Park, an educational office run by the government’s Office of Management and Development and Knowledge. It is a positive sign that Thais spend more time on reading, especially those under 6-year-old read 34 minutes daily compared to only 27 minutes before, followed by people between the ages of six to 12 , adults and the elderly, said Maj Gen Sansern. The prime minister wishes to thank every concerned party involving in encouraging Thais to read more and wants the Education, the Social Development and Human Security ministries as well as concerned agencies to encourage parents to read out lound to their babies while they are not yet born, said Maj Gen Sansern. Their children are likely to love reading when they grow up. However, the weakness point of the Thais is that they are glued to television and many of them are still illiterate, he said, adding that Gen Prayut had ordered the Education Ministry to assist those people who cannot read and write while TV stations should add more programmes that educate viewers. (TNA)