Reading for Pleasure (RfP) and Literacy Problems in Thailand

Abstract

        Studies have identified that reading for pleasure (RfP) greatly influences reading behaviour and is more important for academic success than family socioeconomic status (SES) (OECD, 2010). RfP is a contested reading concept in Thai society in which reading is traditionally associated with academic benefits but it has the potential to play a significant role in promoting increased reading behaviour and reading attainment in the country. This paper is a part of a literature review for a PhD project, Factors Affecting Reading for Pleasure Practices in Community Libraries in Thailand, which has the following objectives: 1) to identify the factors affecting RfP reading promotion practice in community libraries (CLs) in the Northeast region of Thailand, and 2) to determine how these factors affect the RfP reading promotion practice in community libraries in the Northeast region of Thailand. This paper provides the background to literacy problems in Thailand, the Northeast, the reading behaviour of Thai people, the 2017 reading culture promotion framework, a definition of RfP, the connection between RfP and Reading for Instruction, and Krashen’s Free-Voluntary Reading theory. Authors argued about RfP in the national reading policy in a conclusion and discussion.