Taipei Int'l Book Exhibition to feature at least 18 Thai authors

Taipei, Jan. 7 (CNA) At least 18 Thai authors will attend the 2026 Taipei International Book Exhibition (TiBE) in early February, with the Southeast Asian country serving as the guest of honor.

Ten of the 18 authors have been invited by the country's representative office in Taipei, which will lead four forums at the exhibition scheduled to be held from Feb. 3-8 at Taipei World Trade Center, Thai Trade Office Director Kallaya Leewongcharoen said at a news conference on Wednesday.

The Thai pavilion's theme, "CreaTHAIvity," reflects "the creativity embedded in the way of life of the Thai people," Leewongcharoen said. It will present 50 representative books and 21 illustrators, with 37 publishing companies taking part in the event.

The 10 authors include Kanokwalee Pojanapakorn, who has written more than 60 novels; Prasertsak Padmarid, winner of the 2024 S.E.A. Write Award with his debut work "Ki Bad" (Weaving Wound); and Prapt, a popular detective and BL (boys' love) novelist who won the Weibo Thailand Innovative Novelist Award.

Seven other authors will participate in the exhibition at the invitation of publishers, including former Thai parliamentarian Pita Limjaroenrat, whose new book recounts his high-stakes journey during the 2023 general election and his ultimately unsuccessful bid to become prime minister despite his party's victory.

Meanwhile, Veeraporn Nitiprapha, a two-time recipient of the Southeast Asian Writers Award in 2015 and 2018, will also attend the exhibition, said the Taipei Book Fair Foundation, which co-organizes the exhibition. The award, also known as the S.E.A. Write Award, has annually honored an outstanding poet or writer from the region since 1979, the foundation said.

According to the foundation, other countries and regions with pavilions include Belgium, France, Italy, the Czech Republic, India, Germany and Hong Kong.

Lee Ching-hwi (李靜慧), a deputy minister in the Ministry of Culture, said at the press event that this marks the third time TiBE has featured Thailand as its guest of honor, following 2009 and 2014.

"Since its first edition in 1987, the TiBE has been more than a venue for trade and deals, but also an occasion for people to be exposed to different cultures, made possible by Taiwan's long-standing commitment to freedom of speech and publication," Lee said.

She also cited the NT$1,200 (US$38.17) Culture Points cash handouts available to Taiwan residents aged 13-22 from Jan. 1, inviting the public to attend the cultural event.