Some interesting figures regarding the publishing business:

Table 1 Number of publishers and bookstores in Thailand

Note:   * registered members of PUBAT
** From Se-ed Bookstore’s report

The number of registered publishers in the year 2008 increased by 21 over the previous year’s figure (an increase of 4.27%) which reflects the business opportunities and ease of market entry. At the same time, the numbers of bookstores in 2007 and 2008 leapt by 100.31% and 29.79% respectively. The introduction of “Book Smile”, which occupies a small space in the 7-11 chain stores, in 2007 has contributed mainly to the dramatic increase.

Table 2 Trend of the number of publishers categorized by size (according to revenue)

Note:   *Revenue of more than US$ 2.85 million
**Revenue of more than US$ 860,000.-
***Revenue of less than US$ 860,000.-
****Forecasted

The decreasing rates of revenue had a big impact on small and medium sized publishing houses, as witnessed by a significant decrease in the number of medium sized publishing houses in 2007; as one third of the publishing houses have suffered from reduced sales revenue. However, it is estimated that the numbers of large and medium sized publishers will remain the same in 2008, whilst small sized publishers will account for 4/5 of all publishing houses in Thailand.

Table 3 Revenue of publishing houses in Thailand (in US$ million)

Note:   * Forecasted

Estimated figures in 2008 showed that the growth of revenue from book sales in 2008 would be driven mainly by the medium and large sized publishing houses. Total sales revenue in 2008 is expected to reach $540 million compared to $522.86 billion in 2007, an increase of approximately 3.28%.  

Table 4 Number of new titles launched from 2004 to 2008*

Note:   * Based on the Se-ed Book Center database

The number of new titles launched dropped for two consecutive years in 2008, as publishers became more cautious in their production, due to the sluggish economy.

Table 5 Number of titles launched per publisher from 2004 to 2008

Despite continued growth in the numbers of publishers in the market, the increase in the numbers of new titles launched per publisher is still not substantial, due to the fact that publishers are becoming more selective in choosing to publish only titles that will be popular with the reading public, along with contracted production.

Table 6 Book Revenue to Gross Domestic Product (in US$ million)

Note:   * Forecasted

According to these figures, it is very obvious that the size of the book business in Thailand accounts for a small percentage of the GDP of the Thai economy.  However, it is important to note that the ratio of book revenue and Thai GDP has remained at around 0.2% over the past five years, despite the economic slowdown. Therefore, it can be concluded that the economic situation has not really had much impact on book sales. Books in particular, are not considered luxury items.  The most important factors influencing book sales in Thailand include the government’s education policy, human resource development policy, the publishers’ own creative abilities, efficient book management, and the strength of networking in the book business.

Table 7 Amount of money spent on books per head (in US$)

Note: * GDP data from the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board and     www.thaistocks.com
** Forecasted

Although the figures show that amount of money spent on books increased gradually despite the drop in GDP between 2006 to 2008, such expenditure accounts for only 0.23% of GDP per head (or only US$8.56 per person), which is very low.

Table 8 Population vs bookstores

Note: * statistical population data from the Department of Provincial Administration, Ministry of Interior
          ** Redundant information, reported deaths and changes of address are automatically removed from the online database
          *** Forecasted

Although the number of bookstores has increased substantially over the past five years, they are still very low compared to the total population of Thailand, as shown above. Limited outlet space is one of the factors that limit the number of new bookstores in the market, as well as population access to bookstores. The government should, therefore, come up with new policies to help foster the establishment and growth of new bookstores and book rental stores, in various local areas in the country.