Bangkok: Chaokhunthong and Friends, the legendary hand puppets, created a sensation at the National Book Fair.

According to Thai News Agency, the much-anticipated return of “Chao Khun Thong and Friends” at the “Book Expo Thailand 2025” has captured significant attention. The hand puppets, a creation by Mr. Phal Phirom, the second generation heir to the spirit of “Khun Thong,” have inspired attendees by promoting the power of reading through engaging activities. One such activity, “Jumping from Paper,” allowed participants to make DIY sock puppets and create their own characters, further adding to the allure of the event.

The event, which emphasized the theme ‘Puppet Storytellers, We Play,’ taught participants the arts of puppetry, storytelling, rhythm, and singing, all while fostering a love for creative reading. The Publishers and Booksellers Association of Thailand (PUBAT) has reported a vibrant atmosphere at the fair. A recent survey conducted on reading habits revealed that despite the digital age, “Th
ais still prefer to read real books,” with a notable inclination among the younger generation. The survey highlighted that 86% of book buyers are aged 15-18, 84% are aged 23-28, and 83% are aged 12-14, demonstrating a strong reading culture among Thai youth.

Despite the rapid rise of digital media, Thai people continue to dedicate an average of 50.77 minutes per day to reading, split between 51 minutes of reading paper books and 152 minutes on online platforms. The most favored reading formats among Thais include e-books (56%), paper books (26%), and audiobooks (15%). This data underscores the significant growth potential in the Thai book industry, which is currently valued at over 20 billion baht and continues to expand at an annual rate of 3.5%.