Tucked away in the middle of nowhere, an independent bookshop in Rayong's Klaeng district won an award for being a cultural hub in remote areas amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Rassarin Kijchaisawas, the owner of the Soonthornphu bookshop, joined the cultural programme held by the Book Studies Foundation and the Ministry of Culture last year. Readers were given passports where they collect stamps from independent bookshops.
"I think I won the award because I am committed to promoting reading and contributing to society. It is more than selling books. When the community was hit by the coronavirus, my bookshop becomes a donation centre," she told the Bangkok Post by phone.
Rassarin said the publishing industry had been on the decline even before the pandemic but she had weathered the storm for eight years to promote "local wisdom". She encouraged reading on all platforms but hometown bookshops can offer a unique experience and face-to-face interaction.
"I organise reading activities and encourage children to share their experiences. I hope that they will remember this feeling when they grow up," she said.
Rassarin spent her childhood in Klaeng where her parents sold rice, but she got into a senior high school in Bangkok and university in Chiang Mai. She ran her own business for over 10 years and then did a stint in the United States. When she returned home, her mother unexpectedly got sick.
"I decided to settle here to look after her. There are not many activities in the area. Initially, I sold rice and opened an art school but in the end, I opened a bookshop on June 26, 2013, which is Sunthorn Phu Day," she said.
Her venture grew out of a passion for books. However, the fire in her belly was not enough because the publishing industry was experiencing digital disruption.
"But the Publishers and Booksellers Associations of Thailand was supportive of independent bookshops. Renowned editor Ruangdej Chandergiri had my back. I had already joined the hometown bookshop project of author Pry Pansang," she said.
Her bookshop carved out a niche market. It offers novels, philosophy books, and travel writing. Popular items are classic translations of My Sweet Orange Tree and The Little Prince. She orders books from wholesalers in Bangkok, especially Kledthai. It is the most bookshop-friendly company because it does not require a minimum order.
However, the coronavirus forced her to suspend on-site service and sell books via an online platform for almost two years. Customers used to come from other provinces to buy books and drink beverages. "I took the opportunity to encourage them to visit local restaurants such as Pad Thai Jae Khaek to bring exposure to this quiet neighbourhood," she said.
As time passed by, Rassarin began to also discover a hidden but vibrant art scene. The home of the founder of Gamme Magie Editions is located in Klaeng. It is the place where books are kept and distributed across the country. Once, she invited Chart Korbjitti, a national artist in literature to the bookshop. Instead, a group of gangsters, known as the Samyan (Klaeng) Boys, aged in their 50s, turned up at the roundtable out of the blue.
"How can we know that they have read his works?" she added.
