Thai Library Association

12/10/2026

On 11st October 2026, the Thai Library Association (TLA) organized a merit-making ceremony for her 72nd Anniversary. Following the Buddhist ceremony, a panel discussion was held featuring impressive experiences of the past association presidents and senior committee members:
-Assoc.Prof. Dr. Pimonpan Prasertwong Raper.(90 years old)
-Satraramedhi Suwakhon Siriwongwarawat
-Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tassana Hanpol
-Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sa-angsri Pornsuwan
-Prof. Emeritus Dr. Namtip Wipawin (Current TLA President), along with
Ms. Bubpha Chuchat, Director of the National Library of Thailand, (Fine Arts Department, Ministry of Culture) and Chair of the National Library Group under TLA.

During the discussion, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tassana and Satraramedhi Suwakhon highlighted the crucial role of the TLA during their tenures as president, emphasizing how they brought international recognition and fostered strong networks that built the association’s 72-year resilience. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sa-angsri added perspective as a university lecturer, noting her experience of longstanding contribution in cultivating high-quality librarians for Thai society and upholding the dignity of the profession.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pimonpan shared that while she frequently hears news of libraries being downsized or dissolved in Thailand, throughout her lifelong career she has never heard of any other country dissolving libraries or eliminating librarian positions. Worldwide, nations prioritize reading, run widespread campaigns to engage youth and the public, and support the evolving role of librarians, which has transformed significantly today.
The current TLA President, Prof. Emeritus Dr. Namtip, emphasized that librarians must transform their role by creating work with a clear, visible impact on society and communities. This will help the public recognize the vital importance of the library and information science profession and its essential role in fostering knowledge across society.
The atmosphere that day was warm and full of professional team spirit—a gathering driven by commitment and deep respect for the senior leaders who have dedicated their lives to advancing Thailand’s intellectual growth.
Today, we have reached an era where many fail to see the solid foundations built by previous generations, almost acting as if today’s progress appeared out of thin air while undervaluing past dedication. However, it is expected that Thailand’s foundational roots are something everyone should recognize and treasure—like a diamond that each generation must continuously polish so it shines beautifully and benefits all people.

05/10/2026

Professor Emeritus Dr. Namtip Wipawin, President of the Thai Library Association (TLA); Miss Suchit Suvaphab, Vice -President; Dr.Narumol Ruenwai, Foreign Relations Division Committee Member, and Assistant Professor Dr. Sasipimol Prapinpongsakorn, Academic Division Committee Member, along with Miss Bubphar Chuchat, Director of the National Library of Thailand and representatives, attended the 1st Executive Board Meeting of the 20th Congress of Southeast Asian Librarians (CONSAL XX), held virtually via Zoom on October 5, 2026.

In this regard, the TLA President presented the Thailand Country Report, highlighting the Association's major achievements and key initiatives as follows:

1. The establishment of professional and occupational qualification standards for librarians and information specialists;
2. The creation of the TLA Archives to mark the 72nd anniversary of the Thai Library Association; and
3. The government budget cuts leading to the abolition of public sector librarian positions upon retirement.

06/09/2026

"The true DNA of a real librarian isn't just serving as a treasure keeper—guarding piles of books like a watchdog that can't alter the house. Librarians are architects of knowledge for society, operating through a rich, multi-layered curation process."
"Looking back at history, librarians and libraries have played a vital role in global intellectual change. Ancient libraries functioned more as archives or centers of societal memory."
"Professional librarianship arose with the 19th-century public library movement, grounded in the idea that knowledge shouldn't be an elite privilege, but a public good open to everyone."
"If the state considers society less capable, it might try to shape learning to raise the general intellect—at least to fit its own agenda. But society might not want to learn the way the state dictates. Libraries must maintain a balance between people's genuine desire to learn and what the state wants them to know."
"If the state falls behind society, it may cling to the past and overlook the dynamic intellectual duties of modern librarians—especially today, when data and AI dominate human minds everywhere."
"So, knowing that librarians are the keepers of memory—holding a nation's knowledge, beauty, and truth—what kind of country would we be without librarians, or with only a handful remaining?"

Because if we fail to understand why librarians exist, we might as well do without everything mentioned above!

Point of view of Mr.Tomorn Sookprecha

Chief Creative Director
OKMD (Office of Knowledge Management and Development), Thailand
Credit: https://www.the101.world/why-do-we-need-librarians/

05/09/2026

The vibrant discussion of the Board of Directors Meeting of the Thai Library Association (TLA) under the Royal Patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn
On September 5, 2026, at the TLA Headquarters.

The TLA is fully committed to driving strong progress toward the sustainable development of the profession and promoting lifelong learning for a sustainable and virtuous society.

Your suggestions are always valuable to our strategic goals!

30/08/2026

15/08/2026

05/07/2026

Professor Emeritus Dr. Namtip Wipawin, the President of the Thai Library Association (TLA), and the Executive Committee of the Thai Library Association (TLA) participated in the grand opening of the Sukhum Navapan Library which was officially inaugurated its newly transformed library on 2 July 2026, marking a significant milestone in its evolution from a traditional information resource center into a comprehensive Digital Learning Ecosystem that supports teaching, learning, research, innovation, and knowledge dissemination.

The opening ceremony was presided over by Associate Professor Dr. Juree Vichit-Vadakan, Chair of the NIDA Council, who officiated the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The event was attended by Professor Dr. Thippawan Lorsoonthornrat, President of the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA), together with university executives, faculty members, staff, students, and distinguished guests. Associate Professor Dr. Pramote Kuacharoen, Director of the Development Library and Knowledge Services, welcomed the guests and led them on a tour of the newly renovated library.

This transformation represents a major step toward integrating physical learning spaces, digital technologies, and knowledge resources into a unified environment that empowers users to discover, learn, create, preserve, disseminate, and further develop knowledge efficiently through services designed to meet the needs of today's digital learners.

One of the library's signature features is the Imaginarium, an innovative creative and experimentation space designed to foster Immersive Learning by integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies. The facility provides faculty members, students, researchers, and staff with opportunities to explore new ideas, develop prototypes, experience immersive learning environments, and advance scholarly work through diverse and innovative approaches. It also promotes interdisciplinary collaboration across fields such as technology, healthcare, law, communication, tourism, and design, enabling the creation of future-oriented solutions and innovations.

Another key facility is the Innovative Content Creation Studio, which serves as the Institute's hub for producing digital academic and educational content. The studio supports the creation of teaching materials, research dissemination media, academic communication resources, podcasts, short-form videos, infographics, online course materials, and various other forms of digital content for students, faculty members, researchers, and staff.

The newly transformed library also integrates these creative spaces with the Development Library and Knowledge Services' digital services, institutional repositories, electronic databases, and scholarly communication platforms, establishing a comprehensive knowledge ecosystem that supports every stage of the knowledge lifecycle—from information discovery, content creation, and preservation to dissemination and practical application.

Furthermore, the application of AI and data-driven technologies will enable the library to provide more personalized and responsive services, including intelligent information retrieval, resource recommendations, research support, and service management. These developments are guided by strong commitments to information security, personal data protection, and the ethical use of emerging technologies.

The Sukhum Navapan Library is therefore far more than a conventional library. It is a digital knowledge hub, an innovation and creativity space, and a strategic platform that advances NIDA's missions in education, research, and academic impact on society. It will continue to serve as an inspiring environment for learning, creativity, and innovation for the NIDA community and the wider public.

27/06/2026

June 27, 2026
The newly elected Executive Committee (2026–2027) held its inaugural meeting to select the President of the Thai Library Association, along with other key positions. These volunteers have stepped up to drive the 41st Executive Committee forward over the next two years.

Congratulations to Professor Emeritus Dr.Namtip Wipawin on being unanimously elected to the position of President of the Thai Library Association

24/06/2026

THE ASIAN LITERACY CONFERENCE 2026 this year has explored the theme "Multilingual Literacy in the Age of AI" from June 18–19, 2026, at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC), Thailand.

This event has become a success story with wonderful collaboration of the co-hosts and partners: the Thailand Literacy Association (TLiA), the School of Liberal Arts at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the Office of Academic Resources at Chulalongkorn University, and the Thai Library Association (TLA), with the generous support of the International Literacy Association.

12/06/2026

In loving memory of Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati

We humbly join the nation in mourning the passing of Her Royal Highness, whose boundless dedication to justice, human rights, and the well-being of the Thai people will forever be remembered and revered.

Thai Library Association (TLA)