Policy transfer in Thailand : case study of Bangkok World Book Capital

Abstract

This thesis describes the concept of policy transfer network approach by using the World Book Capital Project of UNESCO. It aims to describe the World Book Capital project that transferred to Thailand and to compare with other cities as a lens for understanding the accomplishment situation to become World Book Capital. In addition, this thesis also analyzed the appropriate of policy transfer network approach that use to describe consequence and in-depth information

Officials in Thailand, at that time, had been very concerned about its population‘s poor reading habits and Thai Government had clearly indicated its commitment to achieving the goal of increasing Thailand‘s reading habit rates. Hence, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) highly recognized the significance of reading behavior. Later, the presidents of the Publishers and Book Sellers Association of Thailand (PUBAT), offered to the Bangkok governor, the idea of promoting Bangkok for the award of World Book Capital by UNESCO, in the strong belief that this project would help to motivate, stimulate, and strengthen reading rates. However, the BMA was unsuccessful in its first attempt for the award in 2009 for several reasons. In response, the BMA reviewed the weaknesses in its application and added strategies for improving and moving forward in 2 years‘ time. In the meantime, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) launched the Office of Culture, Sport and Tourism, and charged key organizations with the responsibility for taking action on reading. Furthermore, in 2010, the BMA and 89 alliances established a flagship collaboration to increase the reading culture in Thai society. In 2011, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) along with the 89 alliances, once again proposed Bangkok as a World Book Capital to UNESCO, based on nine specific missions. Finally in 2013, Bangkok succeeded in being selected as the Capital of Reading by the international committee

Organizing event & activity is a significant tool that two cities awarded before Bangkok (Buenos Aires and Yerevan) used to raise an interest from all ranges of population, public and private book industry network and government which have a highly potential impact to participation. In terms of, the extent of the program and the freedom of expression depend on the commitment of proposal. The 3 cities awarded since 2010 to 2013 involve Bangkok had a different implementation, especially Bangkok which has 9 missions while other two cities have 6 missions.

Policy transfer network approach is an appropriate tool to analyze effectively. At every stages of voluntary policy transfer network, can help to notice the clues of interview for getting in-depth information from key informants such as key players, interaction and in-depth information. Moreover, voluntary policy transfer can be used as a lens to realize either success or failure of policy and program transferred from other cities