Bangkok, Thailand — Bangkok residents looking for a calm, screen-free way to unwind should mark their calendars for Friday, January 31, 2026. The city’s popular Reading in the Park initiative is back this week, transforming Rommaninat Park in Phra Nakhon District into a shared reading space where phones are switched off and books take center stage.
Running from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, the event invites participants to disconnect from social media, set their devices to airplane mode, and spend an hour immersed in physical books or e-readers—followed by relaxed conversations with fellow readers. The park is easily accessible via MRT Sam Yot, making it an easy after-work or early-evening escape in the old city.
A Growing Offline Lifestyle Movement
The upcoming session follows the successful launch of Reading in the Park EP3, which officially began on January 24, 2026, at Benchakitti Park. Now in its third year, the initiative is organized by the Bangkok Literature and Arts Festival and supported by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) as part of a broader effort to encourage mindful, community-focused use of public spaces.
The concept mirrors the rising global trend of “offline clubs” seen in major cities worldwide—spaces where people gather not to network digitally, but to slow down together in real life.
From Reading Circles to a Book District Vision
Beyond promoting literacy and well-being, Reading in the Park plays a strategic role in Bangkok’s long-term cultural planning. The BMA is using the initiative to help shape plans for a future Book District in Bangkok, inspired by iconic literary neighborhoods such as Jimbocho in Tokyo.
In collaboration with the Creative Economy Agency (CEA), Office of Knowledge Management and Development (OKMD), and the Publishers and Distributors Association of Thailand (PUBAT), the project aims to bring together independent bookstores, publishers, and creative spaces—strengthening Bangkok’s position as a regional center for literature and creative industries.
Reimagining Public Parks as Cultural Spaces
According to city officials, initiatives like Reading in the Park demonstrate how public parks can evolve beyond recreational use to become platforms for learning, creativity, and cultural exchange. The BMA has expressed its commitment to supporting similar community-driven activities across green spaces throughout the capital.
As the January 31 session approaches, Reading in the Park offers a timely reminder that in a city that never stops moving, there is still room to pause—turn a page—and reconnect offline.
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