Following the popular column "Beneath the Cover... with Authors," which features interviews with various writers, many authors consistently mentioned meb as their go-to platform for publishing e-books — including novels, comics, newspapers, magazines, and more. With its wide-ranging content that rivals a large physical bookstore and its ease of access, meb has become a compelling digital alternative.

In response to rising reader interest, the Asia Morning News editorial team reached out to meb's executives and was granted an exclusive interview with Mr. Ravivon Mahasith, co-founder and one of the key management figures behind the platform.

“My name is Ravivon Mahasith, but most people know me as 'Chai'," he began. "I’m the co-founder and part of the management team at meb. The reason we created this e-book platform stems from our early recognition of the limitations in the traditional publishing industry. We believed that e-books could remove those barriers and offer a more efficient and accessible way for publishers and authors to reach readers."

Growth and Performance of meb

When asked about meb’s progress since its inception, Mr. Mahasith explained that the business has grown steadily, despite a challenging start:

"Back then, e-books were still new in Thailand. It took time to educate content creators and convince them to publish their works on our platform. But as readers began to embrace the format and sales increased, we gained trust from publishers and authors alike. That momentum helped us become a significant player in the Thai publishing ecosystem."

Today, meb hosts nearly 200,000 e-book titles, covering all genres — from fiction and manga to magazines, newspapers, and educational resources — making it as diverse as a large physical bookstore.

Recognizing Bestselling Authors

When asked about the red sash awarded to bestselling meb authors, Mr. Mahasith explained:

"Our bestseller recognition isn't based on a fixed sales number. It depends on various factors, including performance within a specific time window. Even if a book sells a lot, it may not be marked as a bestseller if others perform better during the same period — and vice versa. It’s a dynamic system."

Impact of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted many industries, and meb was no exception:

"We were impacted like everyone else, but our team responded quickly and strategically. That resilience allowed us to weather the crisis effectively. More importantly, we focused on helping our partners — publishers and authors — stay afloat alongside us."

Does meb Have Its Own Writing Team?

"Currently, meb does not have an in-house writing team. Our focus remains on supporting external publishers and independent authors who publish on our platform."

Future of E-Books in Thailand

"We believe Thai readers will continue to embrace e-books. E-books offer real advantages — they’re convenient, portable, and require no physical storage space. Devices are becoming larger, clearer, and more affordable, making digital reading more accessible than ever."

source : http://www.asiamorningnews.net/?p=76654