Our Work in Thailand

In Thailand, The Library Project provides Reading Rooms, Reading Corners, Book Donations, and Literacy Programs to rural schools and community centers. These programs increase access to age-appropriate books, create welcoming places to read, and help children strengthen the literacy skills they need to continue learning.

Our Reading Rooms create dedicated spaces for reading and learning, while Reading Corners place books directly in classrooms and other spaces children use each day. Book Donations strengthen existing collections, and our Literacy Programs create additional opportunities for children to practice reading and build confidence. Training & Support helps educators and community-based partners deliver effective literacy programming.

The Library Project also provides Capacity Building for local literacy nonprofit organizations in Thailand. This support is free of charge and may include one-on-one mentoring, planning tools, fundraising guidance, program development support, and access to practical resources. By strengthening local organizations, we help build long-term, community-led literacy impact.

Literacy in Thailand

Thailand has achieved nearly universal primary school enrollment, but significant differences remain in the quality of learning children receive. UNICEF reports that basic reading and numeracy skills in the early grades remain low and that children in rural areas attending schools with fewer resources are less likely to perform well. Socioeconomic circumstances and the language spoken at home also have a significant influence on learning outcomes.

Language is an especially important factor. Recent UNICEF reporting indicates that 71 percent of Thai children ages 7 to 14 achieve basic reading proficiency, compared with just 43 percent of children from households where Thai is not the primary language. Ethnic minority and migrant children can therefore face additional barriers when the language used in school differs from the language they use at home.

Challenges continue into adolescence. In the OECD’s PISA 2022 assessment, 60 percent of girls and 72 percent of boys in Thailand scored below the baseline proficiency level in reading. These results highlight the importance of strengthening reading development throughout childhood rather than treating literacy as a skill acquired only in the earliest grades.

The Library Project’s work in Thailand responds to these needs by expanding access to books and reading spaces in rural communities, supporting Literacy Programs, strengthening educators through Training & Support, and building the capacity of local literacy nonprofit organizations.