The Bangkok Bugle | News and information from Thailand's media, magazines and newspapers.

DON'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU SEE

2011-10-28T07:11:00.001+07:00

This picture has been bothering me a lot since it was posted by @richardbarrow on Twitter yesterday afternoon.

As you can see, the television reporter is standing in water outside the Grand Palace in Bangkok. But look closer and you'll see dry land only metres away. No doubt the audience seeing the subsequent report will only see the flooding in the background.

In my opinion this reporter is breaking the most important rule in journalism - to report the truth. What viewers saw was not the entire picture.

I'd love to know which television station this reporter works for, and indeed what the editor would say when presented with this image. No doubt the report was dramatic - floods lapping at the walls of one of Bangkok's tourist icons - but is that really what was happening at the time?

It just goes to show you shouldn't believe everything you see - or read for that matter.

ICONIC IMAGES OF THE FLOODS

2011-10-27T18:40:00.000+07:00

Today's front page of The Straits Times in Singapore has what I consider to be one of the most iconic images to emerge so far from the floods which are gripping parts of Bangkok right now.

But as a former press photographer I cannot help feeling this image looks a bit staged. The monk looks like he's been asked to stand in the water - and if you look closer you can see the water doesn't extend all the way to the walls of the Grand Palace. Surely the monk would not need to pass through the water ordinarily? That said, I have no evidence to suggest the situation has been manipulated.

As for the front page headline and associated government advice for Singaporeans to leave Bangkok while the main international airport remains open - it does smack of a certain degree of sensationalism.

Bangkok and the floods have been dominating the news agenda in Singapore for more than a week now - and that only looks set to continue.

FLOOD ON THE FRONT PAGES

2011-10-24T07:48:00.000+07:00

Images from Bangkok once again made the front pages of a number of regional newspapers during the past weekend.

The Straits Times in Singapore lead with graphic images from the Thai capital on Saturday and Sunday, while newspapers in Malaysia and Indonesia also opted to run with front page stories and images depicting the flooding in Bangkok.

KUDOS TO THE NATION ..

2011-10-23T13:11:00.000+07:00

.. for allowing anyone affected by the Thailand flooding to download the latest copies of its newspaper as a PDF edition.

When people are searching for news in all its forms then any initiative like this is surely a welcome one.

On the down side the files take a long time to download and, one would guess, that downloading today's copy of The Nation isn't going to be high on the list of things to do when water is lapping at the door.

WHILE STOCKS LAST ..

2011-10-23T10:38:00.000+07:00

Seeing these three words associated with a magazine subscription sales campaign always make me laugh. And I've seen two in the last couple of weeks.

"Hurry, subscribe now while stocks last .."

As if the publisher is going to turn away cash from a potential subscriber saying "I'm sorry, we're run out."

Think about it.

NATION WEBSITE TO USE PAYWALL?

2011-10-21T06:09:00.000+07:00

The website of The Nation newspaper in Thailand appears to be close to introducing a paywall for its online content - again.

An advertisement appearing on its website says: "Enjoy 45 articles per month free before paying". No pricing details are provided.

This isn't the first time Nation Multimedia has toyed with the idea of charging for content. In February 2010 the company introduced “The Nation Exclusive”, a paywall-protected section of its free-to-access website that promised to deliver “exclusive news, in-depth analysis, tips for investors, premium lifestyle articles, exclusive video, exclusive business tips, best offer for your lifestyle, privilege for high-class travelers and audio analysis." This service is no longer being offered.

The issue of charging for content, especially in Thailand, is a difficult one. Unless The Nation will be providing significantly different content from The Bangkok Post, Thailand's other English language daily, then it will likely not make much money from this initiative. Very little news in Thailand is truly exclusive.

OUT-OF-DATE FOOD MAGAZINE ON SALE

2011-10-20T07:42:00.000+07:00

Thailand is not the only country where old editions of magazines are still on the shelves.

In Singapore I spotted this May 2011 edition of BBC Good Food on sale at a supermarket this week. For a magazine that's been on sale for more than five months it's in remarkably good condition, suggesting not too many people have browsed it.

The fact the retailer hasn't removed this edition from sale indicates to me they don't care about magazine sales. If they did they'd make sure only current editions were on sale. The publisher also needs to share some of the blame for not ensuring all sales and returns are accounted for.

CLANGERS FROM THE NATION

2011-10-18T09:29:00.001+07:00

I sometimes wonder whether The Nation has totally dispensed with its proofreaders? Here are a couple of banners which have been appearing on its website over the last few weeks.

I am the first to admit that typos happen (I've made a few here myself), but these have been appearing for more than a few days? Either they don't read their own advertising or no one is bothering to let them know about these errors.

BKK POST CIRCULATION UP 4.15%

2011-10-18T07:52:00.000+07:00

Circulation at The Bangkok Post rose 4.15 per cent during the first half of 2011 from the previous six month period, according to data published by the Audit Bureau of Circulation.

The English language daily recorded average daily sales of 44,754 copies during the six months ending June 30, 2011 - up from the 42,967 copies during the last half of 2010 and slightly less than the 44,901 copies recorded for the same period last year.

The detailed audited circulation report shows that single copy sales of the newspaper rose by an average of just 75 copies per day from the previous six months, now standing at 12,335. The number of subscription copies fell by slightly under 400 copies per day to 16,086, while the number of bulk sales rose from 14,147 to now stand at 16,243 copies on average per day.

So, although the headline figure shows a healthy 4.15 per cent rise, the vast majority of this increase can be attributed to bulk and multi copy sales of the newspaper to places like airlines and hotels.

The Bangkok Post is Thailand's only newspaper with an independently audited circulation.

ANOTHER BOOKSHOP TO DISAPPEAR?

2011-10-18T07:37:00.000+07:00

Hot on the heels of the demise of the Borders bookshop chain in Singapore comes news that Page One's flagship store at the VivoCity mall could be set to close next March.

Last Saturday's The Straits Times reported how the retailer has been recording a S$600,000 to S$800,000 (THB14.5 million to THB19 million) loss per year since it opened in 2006. Rent negotiations are currently underway pending the expiry of the current lease in five months time.

The impact for regional and global magazine publishers, coming so soon after Borders' closure, could be severe. The two Borders outlets and this Page One store are responsible for some of the best magazine sales throughout the city. Kinokuniya is now the number one outlet for magazines in Singapore but they've refused to take more copies of magazines to make up for those which were previously sold by Borders.

There are less magazines on sale in Singapore, which ultimately means less revenue for publishers.

MEDIA COVERAGE OF THE FLOODS

2011-10-18T07:19:00.000+07:00

This is in interview I did with Asean television in Bangkok last week, talking about media coverage of the floods in Thailand.

POST TO LAUNCH NEW FREE PAPER

2011-09-30T12:22:00.000+07:00

Post Publishing, the publishers of the Bangkok Post and Post Today, is to launch a free newspaper next month.
The new Thai language title, named M2F (short for Monday to Friday) will be distributed throughout Bangkok. The publishers are claiming it will have a 400,000 copies per day circulation.
Interestingly the story in today's Bangkok Post includes quotes from Pauline Yu from the Hong Kong Audit Bureau of Circulation. I wonder if this means the publishers intend to have the circulation of this new newspaper independently audited?
I wrote several years ago, following the launch and subsequent demise of the English language free tabloid Daily Xpress, how the Bangkok newspaper market held opportunities for a mass, freely distributed Thai language newspaper. It seems as though this gap will now be filled.

ROGER CRUTCHLEY: WORTH READING

2011-09-19T05:51:00.000+07:00

The September edition of Big Chilli magazine has a very good interview with Roger Crutchley, the Bangkok Post's longest serving writer who is due to retire this month.
Roger began working at the Post in 1969 - and has obviously seen many changes. He's very much and 'old school' journalist and, like me, hails from Berkshire in the United Kingdom.
The interview isn't available online but I'd strongly suggest anyone with an interest in journalism in Thailand invests 120 baht to read this story.

MORE NEW MAGAZINES ON THE WAY

2011-09-15T08:41:00.000+07:00

The Bangkok Bugle understands Thailand could see at least three new licensed Thai language editions of overseas titles within the next six months.
Trusted industry sources have revealed to me that discussions are at advanced stages for a food and science title, and a deal is understood to have already been completed for a recently launched English title focusing on tablet apps.
Home grown titles are still appearing on the shelves at the rate of three or four each month, but only around 20 per cent seem to make it beyond six months.

MOVING ON; NEW CHALLENGES

2011-09-13T05:07:00.000+07:00

This week is my last as Publishing Director for Ensign Media in Bangkok.
Starting next week I will in taking a new role with All Property Media, best known for its Property Guru, Commercial Guru and Loan Guru (Singapore), Rumah (Indonesia), Home Guru and Full House (Malaysia) and DDProperty (Thailand) websites. Although I will be based in Singapore initially this doesn't mean the end of the Bangkok Bugle.
Obviously I have contacts that will continue to send me news and information about Thailand's magazine and publishing industry, plus I will be able to comment with a regional perspective, and with far more authority. I will be back in Thailand very often as well.
My new role will be a challenging one, but one I am really looking forward to. I'll be able to write more about it over the coming days and weeks, but for sure it's going to add more pages to my personal story.

THE OTHER SIDE OF FREE GIFTS

2011-09-08T13:58:00.000+07:00

Magazines generate a lot of positive sentiment through the use of cover gifts and premiums, but those good feelings are wasted when the gifts are no longer available.
Take September's Singapore edition of Cleo magazine. The gift was "fully redeemed" at one bookstore chain in the city state - and this was just five days into Spetember.
One of the issues here is that, unlike Thailand, magazines start to appear well before their cover date. This edition was on sale as early as August 9th but, with only a limited number of gifts available, those who waited will be disappointed.
Some magazines offer bagged gifts with every copy of their magazine, but from a publishers' perspective there's a lot of sense in creating the demand to buy the magazine with a limited number of premiums. I just wonder how much damage is done to the brand when that gift is gone?

BAGGING AND SELLING OLD MAGAZINES

2011-09-07T18:10:00.000+07:00

The Relay bookshop chain in Singapore currently has a "3 for S$10" offer for old editions of imported magazines.
These magazines didn't sell the first time around and are now being offered for sale again at substantially reduced rates. Gossip and lifestyle titles appear to make up the majority of the titles which are part of the bundle packs, with most dating from late last year until around three months ago.
Some of these titles will have been priced at upwards of S$15 when they were current, so it does represent a good deal for readers who don't mind buying non-current editions.
My feeling is these titles shouldn't be taking up valuable shelf space, especially in the prime 'front-of-shelf' position as pictured here. I'm not against giving these editions a second chance, and in fact I'm surprised it doesn't happen more, however perhaps newsagents should create and develop a separate section for these kinds of non-current sales?

BOOSTING CIRCULATION: SO FUNNY

2011-09-07T17:32:00.004+07:00

THE SECOND MOST IMPORTANT STORY ..

2011-09-07T15:09:00.001+07:00

.. according to the Straits Times in Singapore on Tuesday was "Just $2 more a month for all-in-one ST deal".
The front page story revealed a new price for an all-in-one print, iPad, iPhone and online subscription. Starting tomorrow the package will cost S$26.95 per month.
The Straits Times had an average daily circulation of 359,989 during 2009 according to the latest available data from Singapore's Audit Bureau of Circulations.
Does this 'news' deserve front page coverage? That's for you to decide, but it's certainly subscriptions marketing to the max.

VACANCY: FEATURES SUB EDITOR

2011-09-05T10:56:00.000+07:00

The Bangkok Post, Thailand's leading English-language daily, is looking for self-motivated, energetic people for the position of Features Sub Editor.

Necessary Qualifications are:

• A minimum of five years editing, sub-editing or reporting experience with a national daily newspaper, magazine, local or international wire service, preferably with an emphasis on lifestyle features.
• English fluency.
• University graduate.
• Outgoing personality and inquisitive mind.
• Ability to work under deadline and time pressure.
• Willingness to work weekends and odd hours.
• Prior experience in web design, online news production is a plus.
• Newspaper design experience, including knowledge of Photshop, InDesign and pagination systems a plus.

The features sub-editor assists the features chief sub-editor in editing, rewriting and fact-checking stories for the features pages of the newspaper. The company offers a competitive salary and benefits to the suitable candidate. Submit applications with a cover letter, detailed resume and a recent photograph to chiratasn AT bangkokpost.co.th or by post to: Editorial Manager (ref: features sub-editor), Post Class. No 5000, Bangkok Post, 136 Na Ranong Road, Klong Toey, Bangkok 10110.

WORRYING NEW CHAPTER FOR ASIA BOOKS?

2011-09-04T19:05:00.000+07:00

Asia Books, the number one English Language book and magazine retailer in Thailand, wants to base its future on the business model on online retailer Amazon.
In an interview with the Bangkok Post late last week, Managing Director Sirote Jiraprayoon said: "From now on, our mindset in doing business will change. More products like iPads, smart phones, educational toys and lifestyle items will be available in our bookshops. We've reached a turning point."
Forgive me, but that's exactly what the ill-fated Borders bookshop chain tried to do - and look what happened there.
Asia Books dominates the 2 billion baht a year English books and magazine market in Thailand. That's its strength. It cannot and should not even try to compete with electronic and lifestyle product retailers. It should stick to what it knows and what it does best.
The picture used to illustrate the story in the newspaper was quite ironic. The caption: "A student browses at an Asia Books store .." highlights a problem that many publishers face - too much browsing and not enough buying.

NEWSPAPER TO END PRINT PUBLICATION

2011-09-03T15:25:00.000+07:00

Pattaya One, the bi-weekly one-year-old newspaper, has revealed it is to become an exclusively online publication from October 1.
In a story on the front page of its September 1-15 edition, the newspaper says: "One thing we always wanted to do was become more topical, but for a newspaper printing only once every two weeks this was virtually impossible."
The publication had recently expanded its distribution to Bangkok with copies available at a number of outlets, including at Suvarnabhumi airport. At just 20 baht it was one of the cheapest paid-for English language titles in the Kingdom.

FINANCE EDITOR VACANCY

2011-09-01T10:33:00.001+07:00

The Bangkok Post is looking for a Finance Editor, who must hold Thai nationality and have at least seven years' reporting/editing experience with a daily newspaper or international news service based in Bangkok.
The successful applicant for this mid-level management position MUST be fluent in Thai and English, be a university graduate, be able to work under deadlines and be willing to travel, and work weekends and odd hours.
Application letters with a detailed resume, recent photograph and work examples should be sent to chiratasn AT bangkokpost.co.th.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE 'GIFT'

2011-08-31T03:38:00.000+07:00

The vast majority of magazine subscription marketing in Thailand is driven by the free gift or premium - and not by the money that can be saved.
This fact is underlined by the subscription offer in place from the newly-launched Thai edition of Lonely Planet Magazine. The cover price is 100 baht per month and the price for a one-tear 12-issue subscription is 1,200 baht - saving absolutely nothing. The free gift, however, is a Quicksilver bag valued at close to 2,000 baht.
I've personally tried the 'Western' style of giving a substantial discount - upwards of 40 per cent off cover price - with limited success. Thai consumers still want their gifts, seemingly regardless of the amount of money they can possibly save with a financial-only subscription offer.

LONELY PLANET HITS THE SHELVES

2011-08-30T14:54:00.000+07:00

Thailand's newest magazine - a Thai language licensed edition of Lonely Planet Magazine - has hit the shelves in Bangkok today.
Published by Media Expertise, part of Nation Multimedia Group, the 196-page September edition is priced at 100 baht. It's the first and only licensed overseas title in the travel magazine sector in Thailand.
For a debut edition it's extremely well advertised, with the likes of Air Asia, Canon and Mercedes-Benz occupying the premium early right-hand pages.
The one thing I am slightly perplexed about is the publishers choice to bag this first edition with a free gift. The gift itself is a low-quality Lonely Planet branded notebook that, to me, is the epitome of tackiness and looks like a last-minute afterthought. And by being bagged this all-important first edition is going to miss out on a lot of casual browsers.
That said, I've been expressing my views about the opportunities for a licensed Thai edition of an overseas travel magazine for more than three years. Food is also another sector currently devoid of an overseas local edition, but for how much longer?

MAGAZINE SALES ON THAILAND'S STREETS

2011-08-30T08:18:00.000+07:00

Street-level retailers of magazines and newspapers in Thailand play an important role in the industry, but did you know that a significant number of these outlets buy their publications for onward sale?
Established retailers like Asia Books and Se-ed are supplied magazines and newspapers on a sale-or-return basis and are paid a commission for each sale which ranges between 20 per cent to 60 per cent of the cover price. However these smaller street retailers, some which only operate for a few hours each day, have to buy their stock upfront, albeit at reduced 'wholesale' prices - and run the risk of not selling particular editions.
I was speaking to one of these retailers last week. She told me some of the established publishers and their distribution agents would only give her 20 per cent off the cover price for buying five copies of a particular edition, hence her profit margins were very, very low. Newspaper publishers, she said, were more generous, but because she had to sell every copy she purchased she would only stock copies of magazines and newspapers she knew would sell. She had about 30 magazines on sale and around eight daily newspapers.
Smaller magazine publishers and those with niche titles will never be stocked in these kinds of outlets because, quite simply, the risk of not selling a particular copy is too high.

SUBSCRIPTION SUCCESS

2011-08-29T08:36:00.000+07:00

Here's a question for you. What percentage of copies of TIME's Asia edition were sold as single copies through bookshops and on news stands during 2010? Each edition recorded an average net circulation of 361,331 copies throughout the year according to data from the Hong Kong Audit Bureau of Circulation.
The answer to my question is 6.91 per cent. Just 24,992 copies per week on average were sold as single copies - with a massive 278,299 copies sold as part of a paid subscription agreement.
TIME isn't alone in achieveing high subscription percentages. Fortune's Asia Pacific edition recorded an average of 57,252 paying subscribers from its overall average circulation of 87,175 copies during 2010. Just 4,513 - or 5.17 per cent - of its copies were sold as single copies in bookshops.

ECONOMIST CIRCULATION UP IN ASIA

2011-08-25T14:36:00.000+07:00

Subscriptions to the Asia Pacific edition of The Economist grew 8.7 per cent during the first six months of 2011, contributing to an overall 4.3 per cent rise in circulation for the regional edition.
The magazine's headline audit revealed average weekly sales of 146,016 copies - with 83,912 paying subscribers, 21,171 single copy sales, 2,159 multiple copy subscriptions and 38,537 bulk sales. Of the latter, some 16,000 went to airlines. For anyone interested in magazine circulation auditing, the ABC statement can be found here.
Last year The Economist reported overall sales in Thailand of 5,227 copies per edition for the first six months of the year, and interestingly circulation of the magazine in the Kingdom has been declining from the January-June period of 2008 which saw 6,528 copies sold per week on average.
So while The Economist is increasing its circulation in most parts of the world, it does seems to have been bucking the trend in Thailand.

VACANCY FOR BUSINESS JOURNALIST

2011-08-25T13:02:00.000+07:00

A position is now available for a young business journalist or analyst who is able to conduct intelligent interviews with top business and government leaders in Thailand. This is a great opportunity to build a network and career in Thailand, and internationally.
Native English speakers are preferred, but fluent English skills are acceptable for Western-educated candidates. The position is available immediately.
Send your resume to camille AT investvine.com.

THAILAND'S STRANGEST MAGAZINES

2011-08-25T08:21:00.001+07:00

I hope you enjoyed the '7 of Thailand's Strangest Magazines' article I wrote for CNN Go which was published earlier this week. If you missed it, you can click here to read it.

NEW TO THE SHELVES

2011-08-22T07:42:00.000+07:00

Spotted for the first time on the shelves last weekend is a Thai language licensed edition of one of Dennis Publishing's Magbook series of magazine-cum-book publications.
Getting Started in Digital SLR Photography, ".. is a perfect-bound, magazine-sized soft back book focusing on a particular subject matter. Known to trade as bookazines, these titles are sold on the magazine racks and are priced between £5.99 and £9.99 with production values to reflect this price." (from Dennis' website).
The Thai language edition is selling for 350 baht - more than three times the cost of the Thai language titles positioned alongside. A tough sell indeed.

BORDERS SHUTTERS SINGAPORE STORE

2011-08-20T16:02:00.000+07:00

Borders flagship store at Wheelock Place in Singapore has closed its doors.
The news comes following months of uncertainly after the demise of the North American and Australian businesses - and despite the local business being operated as a seperate company. The 'closed' signs appeared several days ago after was is reported to be a dispute over rent, according to several local media reports. Borders' Parkway Parade branch remains open.
Speaking from experience and knowledge of the Singapore magazine market, many publishers will be lamenting the demise of this store. It was responsible for a healthy proportion of many magazne sales in the city state, not least because of its prime location.

ANOTHER ENGLISH STATION FOR PHUKET

2011-08-19T10:36:00.002+07:00

The Phuket News is set to launch its own English language radio station in October.
The recently launched weekly newspaper has posted an advertisement on its Facebook page (pictured above) appealing for Thai and non-Thai applicants.
The Thai islands already boasts two established English radio stations so competition for listerners and advertisers will be strong.

COVER GIRLS ON THAI MAGAZINES

2011-08-17T09:35:00.000+07:00

This probably isn't the kind of cover girl image you were expecting to see.
The August edition of Thailand's Herb For Health magazine has an excellent eye-catching black-and-white portrait of an old woman to illustrate its cover story about healthy living for mothers. It stands out - and that's what any good cover design must do in order to pick up casual sales.
This publication is more than 10 years old and sells for 75 baht. There are a decent amount of ads in the 108 pages.
The caption for the cover does not read: "Pictured is 36-year-old Khun Jang after taking a recently developed health supplement".

BANGKOK 101 PUTS ARCHIVE ONLINE

2011-08-16T08:27:00.000+07:00

Bangkok 101, one of Thailand's leading English language magazines for tourists and visitors, has launched a service that allows readers to browse archive editions of its magazine online for free.
The page-flipping editions, powered by Issuu, are available here.
Thanks to Talisman Media's Group Editor Simon for the tip-off about this new development.

ONE LOST SALE, HOW MANY MORE?

2011-08-15T08:52:00.000+07:00

Last weekend I spent five minutes watching someone browsing in a Bangkok bookshop. Nothing unusual, expect this person was also using his iPhone to snap pictures of all the pages of this particular imported English language computer magazine.
The magazine was priced at 375 baht which is at least three times a local Thai language equivalent title, however surely this practise basically amounts to copyright theft?
My guess it that this is probably not the first time this individual has snapped magazine pages with his iPhone for later reading, and speaking as a publisher it makes me furious to see something like this.

MAGAZINE PROMOTION AT ASIA BOOKS

2011-08-13T10:31:00.000+07:00

From now until the end of August 2011, Asia Books is offering 5 per cent off foreign magazines on Saturdays and Sundays. (Terms and conditions apply).
It might not be much, but for anyone like me that spends far too much on magazines anything like this is welcome.

PROFITS UP AT POST AND NATION

2011-08-13T10:23:00.000+07:00

Post Publishing and Nation Multimedia have both reported strong financial results this week.
Post Publishing, publishers of the Bangkok Post, revealed a consolidated net profit of THB32.3 million - up from THB2.2 million during the same period in 2010. During the first quarter of 2011 it made THB16.49 million baht.
Nation Multimedia Group, publishers of The Nation, recorded profits of THB36.7 million for the first six months of the year, up 13 per cent from the THB23.9 million recorded during the same period in 2010.
Both publishers noted increases in advertising revenues, although Nation also highlighted an 8 per cent decline in sales of its newspapers.

SEXY PICTURES IN STRANGE PLACES

2011-08-10T08:02:00.000+07:00

You never know what you're going to find on the pages of some magazines in Thailand.

Last week I picked up a copy of one of the many publications devoted to the subject of cock fighting. There are at least half a dozen and, judging by the healthy levels of advertising, are probably making lots of money for the publishers.

With this particular one I found something rather unexpected - a page of sexy pictures of Thai girls. It's not exactly what you'd expect from this sort of magazine.

It's a proven fact that sex sells, so I can only assume that readers of cock fighting magazines expect this sort of coverage from their favourite magazines.

Note: I'm well aware of the kind of people who will arrive at this page having searched for a combination of "cock", "sex", "girls" and "Thailand". Sorry to disappoint you.

FREE GIFTS WITH THAI MAGAZINES

2011-08-09T08:27:00.000+07:00

Inspired by a recently discovered blog which highlights the premiums and free gifts available with magazines sold at Kinokuniya in Singapore, I am going to post details of similar items which are available with magazines in Thailand.

One thing's for sure - publishers in Thailand offer far fewer gifts with their publications than elsewhere in the world. At any time there may be less than a dozen magazines - less than 5 per cent of all titles - offering premiums with their bookshop purchases.

To start this focus, the August Thai language licensed edition of Martha Stewart Living comes with two free magnetic photo frames. The magazine, published by Post International Media, was launched in October 2009. The August edition runs to 172 pages and sells for 100 baht (US$3.30 approx.).

A FIRST CLASS MAGAZINE

2011-08-09T07:47:00.000+07:00

Wired has established its place as a must-read for many, and this copy of the U.S. August edition which I picked up at Chatuchak Weekend Market last week has already been on an epic journey during its short life.

Buried deep inside the pages of this magazine was a boarding card belonging to the previous owner - a Mr. Masukawa - who travelled first class on Thai Airways between London and Bangkok on July 27th.

In Thailand we only get the U.K. edition of Wired for sale on the shelves, so to see this American-produced edition - with its U.S. ads and subscription offers - is a refreshing change for a magazine junkie like me.

IT'S LIFE, BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

2011-08-07T19:18:00.000+07:00

One magazine to appear for the first time on the shelves in Thailand last month was Life Today - and its logo is remarkably similar to the logo of the famous American photo journalism magazine Life. In fact, it's identical.

Priced at 150 baht, the Thai language debutant is at the top end of the price range for a locally-produced magazine, but I personally think publishers Agro Media will have more than a high cover price and an apparent lack of advertisers in the first edition to worry about. The Life logo is copyright-protected and owned by Time Inc.

In early 2010 Thailand's Plus One Media was forced to change the name of its newly-launched lads mag Ralf to Rush, having come to the attention of Australia's ACP Magazines, the publishers of Ralph, a magazine which bore a remarkable resemblance to Ralf.

UNBELIEVABLE!

2011-08-06T17:14:00.000+07:00

Copies of the March 2009 edition of one Thailand magazine are still on sale on the shelves of one bookshop in Thailand - almost two-and-a-half years since they first appeared.

In March and May I wrote about how six copies of Apartment Living magazine were being sold at the B2S bookshop in the Central Festival Shopping Centre in Phuket. During the past five months since I first reported two-year-old copies of the now defunct magazine were on the shelves not one single copy has been sold.

This is both unbelievable and unacceptable. Copies of this magazine have been spotted in several different locations on the shelves - meaning staff have been in contact with the copies. With limited shelf space it's also totally unacceptable - speaking as a publisher - to have current copies of my own magazine fighting for space with vintage copies of this failed magazine.

Management and staff at B2S need to wake up and get these copies off the shelves now.

PHUKET'S MEDIA WARS

2011-08-06T13:55:00.000+07:00

Alan Morison from Phuketwan has written a good piece about the battle for newspaper readers and advertisers on the island of Phuket.

One interesting observation he makes is .. "We are reliably informed that some Phuket officials are now being offered payments to supply news-related information to one newspaper only, and that they are being told to not provide help to Phuketwan and to other news outlets".

I've previously written about reports that some newsagents and bookshops were being told they would not be supplied copies of one newspaper if they stocked copies of another.

Phuket is certainly a newspaper battleground right now.

BANGKOK TO GET NEW FREE BUSINESS MAG

2011-07-31T20:22:00.000+07:00

Thailand is set to get a new business magazine when Bangkok Business Brief is launched in October.

Siam Gazette, publishers of the existing Bangkok Trader title, have revealed the new free title will be a ".. comprehensive aggregated business summary of news relevant to Bangkok and its business people and foreign community."

The print edition will have a circulation of 10,000 copies, according to the publisher, and will be distributed to a database of the Thai capitals business community in addition to selected high profile public locations.

ASIA BOOKS SOLD FOR US$39.8 MILLION

2011-07-21T12:07:00.001+07:00

Asia Books, Thailand's leading English language bookshop chain, has been purchased by Berli Jucker Public Company Limited (BJC) for 1.19 billion baht (US$39.8 million).

The company, which was established in 1969, has more than 70 outlets in Thailand under the Asia Books and Bookazine brands. It also acts as a distributor for local and international magazine and book publishers. It was previously owned by an equity fund and private investment company.

BJC is controlled by liquor tycoon Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi who was ranked as Thailand's third richest person by Forbes magazine last year.

PRINT'S NOT DEAD IN THAILAND

2011-07-21T08:18:00.000+07:00

The July issue of The Big Chilli magazine, which appeared on the shelves last weekend, contains a feature which looks at non Thai language publishing in Thailand.

I concur with the headline that "print's not dead", but the "research" which yielded lists of publications contains a number of errors. There are at least half a dozen English magazines listed in this feature which have ceased publishing. These include Acclimate, Apartment Living, Director and Tropical Living. A number of well-established titles are also missing.

The feature says there are more than 200 foreign language newspapers, magazines and other periodicals published legally in Thailand, and that the number is on the rise. Understandably, English is a niche language in terms of publishing in Thailand and looking solely at English titles (Big Chilli's "research" discovered 96) the number has declined in the last 12 months. Overall though, and including Thai titles, the number of publications is most certainly continuing to rise and showing no signs of stopping.

AD SPEND UP DURING FIRST SIX MONTHS

2011-07-20T08:54:00.000+07:00

Advertising spend in all media in Thailand rose 11 per cent during the first six months of 2011, according to research from Nielsen. The increase has been largely attributed to increased spending by political parties in the run up to the general election.

Television still dominates advertising channels in Thailand, accounting for a massive 61 per cent. Newspapers (13.5 per cent) are a clear second, followed by cinema (6.3 per cent), radio (5.4 per cent) and magazines (5.1 per cent).

The research noted the two mediums with the best performing year-on-year increases were in-store, up more than 50 per cent, and Internet which recorded an unsurprising 69.4 per cent rise.

What is perhaps most surprising is the fact that Internet advertising, according to this research, only accounted for 227 million baht's worth of advertising during the first half of the year. It represented just 0.42 per cent of all advertising spend in Thailand during this period.

WAGES FOR THAI JOURNALISTS

2011-07-20T08:22:00.000+07:00

One question I am commonly asked is about the salary expectations for media professionals and journalists in Thailand. The answer I give always include a comparison of how much Thai journalists are paid.

I keep a regular watch on the advertised salaries for journalists, editors, designers and sales executives. It comes as a shock to some when I say that it's pretty common to see journalist positions for Thai nationals - with the requirement of one or two years experience along with a Bachelor's degree - offering just 9,000 baht - or roughly US$300 per month. Often these positions also include the requirement to have good English writing skills.

A friend of mine works as a news anchor and reporter for a Thailand-based English television channel and is paid 15,000 baht (US$500) per month - and works damn hard for that. It's fair to say that Thai journalists with good English skills are generally paid more, but even the editor of a leading Thai language magazine may only be commanding 30,000 baht per month (US$1,000). A similar position in the U.K with like-for-like duties and responsibility would be paying five times that amount.

Of course there are exceptions. A few years back I learned of one Thai editor who was paid 180,000 baht per month (US$8,000) to edit a free magazine, and I also interviewed a journalist who was, at the time, working for one of the two English dailies and commanding a salary of 60,000 baht (US$2,000) per month.

I think it's fair to say that like pretty much everywhere in the world, journalism is not an especially lucrative career unless you make it to the very top.

BANGKOK: COST OF LIVING ON THE UP

2011-07-19T08:38:00.001+07:00

As someone faced with surveys of one kind or another on a daily basis, it's safe to say you can read pretty much anything you want into lines of data and statistics. But one report published earlier this month by the Economist Intelligence Unit is easy to understand; Bangkok is not as cheap as it once was.

The capital of Thailand in this Worldwide Cost of Living report is now ranked 66th globally and is on a par with the U.S. cities of Miami and San Francisco. Bangkok gained a score of 89 which assumes New York has a score of 100. Last year Bangkok scored 86. Ten years ago the city scored 55 - meaning costs were almost half the price of New York. Now, Bangkok is little more than 10 per cent cheaper.

The world's most expensive city in this report was Tokyo which scored 161. Bottom of the table of recorded cities was Karachi in Pakistan with 46. Just five years ago Bangkok was ranked in 100th place in this same bi-annual survey, which looked at more than 400 individual prices across 160 products and services in 140 cities in 93 countries.

My opinion is that Bangkok can be a cheap as you want it to be. Sure, you can spend a lot of money maintaining an expatriate lifestyle, but at the same time it's easy to live comfortably on 20,000 baht per month or less. Most Thais do exactly that.

And, in contrast to this particular report, Bangkok was recently voted as 'World's Best Value City' by readers of the Sunday Times Travel magazine.

You pays your money, as the saying goes.

A MUCH TRAVELLED MAGAZINE

2011-07-18T07:28:00.001+07:00

For such a short life, this June edition of Derbyshire Life magazine has travelled many, many miles.

I picked up this copy of the U.K. magazine, produced by Archant Life in Derby, at Bangkok's Chatuchak Weekend Market last weekend. And it got there via Nadi - the third largest city in Fiji. How do I know? The magazine had a receipt buried deep inside for food (Chicken Ashika, Wok Friend Chicken and Banana Fritters) from Raffles Gateway Hotel in Nadi.

The previous owner of this magazine, Mr. C. Francis, kindly left the slip with his room number and signature on the food receipt inside his copy of Derbyshire Life, probably never imagining it would be sold on and written about.

LONELY PLANET MAG SET TO LAUNCH

2011-07-13T11:06:00.000+07:00

EXCLUSIVE By The Bangkok Bugle

An official announcement about the launch of a Thailand edition of the BBC's Lonely Planet magazine is imminent, industry sources have confirmed to me.

The Thai langauge licensed edition of the the global magazine brand will be published locally by Media Expertise International, a division of Nation Multimedia Group. Media Expertise is the publisher of a number of licensed Thai language magazines including Wallpaper, Living Etc and Top Gear. The company has already started to include the Lonely Planet brand in its marketing materials.

Lonely Planet magazine began life in the United Kingdom in 2009 as a spin-off from the popular travel guides. Local editions of the magazine have already appeared in India and Argentina, as well as a regional English language edition produced from Singapore.

The travel category is one which I previously identified as an opportunity for a local language licensed edition. Lonely Planet's will be the first overseas travel title to enter the local market which is, in my opinion, far from being saturated. Few existing titles rely on quality global and regional content from respected travel writers, and that's why I expect this title to do well in Thailand.

MEMORIES OF A MEDIA BACKLASH

2011-07-13T08:11:00.000+07:00

The current controversy surrounding journalists at News International looks like spreading to The Sunday Times and The Sun. There's now a real danger that honest and law-abiding media professionals will be tarred with the same brush and treated as criminals.

But that's happened before. I was working as chief photographer for a local newspaper in the U.K. on the morning after the death of Princess Diana. It was a Sunday and the diary of events was busy, but one event - a teddy bears picnic at a country park - was missing a confirmed time so I called the event organiser. Even at that stage - just hours after the fatal crash in Paris - the media and photographers more specifically - were being blamed for her death.

"Actually, we've changed our mind. We don't think it will be appropriate to have a press photographer at our event," was the response. The event went ahead, as I recall, but without press coverage.

A sad but true fact was that local newspaper press photographers - arguably the trusted eyes and ears of a local community - were viewed in the same light as paparazzi snappers who spend their days hounding celebrities. My fear now is that decent journalists will be treated in the same way as those who have been accused of serious misdemeanours at News International.

REWARDING ASIA'S TOP PUBLISHERS

2011-07-11T14:31:00.001+07:00

The good and the great of Asia's publishing industry were rewarded at the fifth annual Asian Publishing Awards which took place in Bangkok last Friday. Ten winners and 16 excellence awards were handed out following the final day of the Asian Publishing Convention, an event which attracted close to 250 delegates from 17 countries.
The award winners were as follows:

ASIAN MAGAZINE MANAGEMENT AWARDS

Category : Multimedia Consumer Research
Excellence Award: Alphabet Media Pte. Ltd., "FutureGov Research" (Singapore)

Category : Advertising Delivery
Winner: Alphabet Media Pte. Ltd., "Channel Sponsorship" (Singapore)
Excellence Award: Singapore Press Holdings, "Singapore Blog Awards 2010" (Singapore)

Category : Innovative Business Models
Winner: Commonwealth Publishing Group, "An In-depth Guide to Shanghai World Expo" (Taiwan)
Excellence Award: Hinge Inquirer Publications, "Targeted Multimedia Platform (TMP)" (Philippines)

Category : Effective Digital Publishing
Winner: Adobo Magazine, "Adobo Magazine "Adobo Digital" (Philippines)
Excellence Award: CommonWealth Magazine Group "Do Active Green Living and Eliminate CO2 from Taiwan!" (Taiwan)

Category : Best Use of UGC (User-Generated Content)
Winner: Alphabet Media Pte. Ltd. "GovNet" (Singapore)
Excellence Awardees: CommonWealth Magazine Group, "Do Active Green Living and Eliminate CO2 from Taiwan!" (Taiwan) and Singapore Press Holdings Limited "Singapore Blog Awards 2010" (Singapore)

Category : Best Use of Screen Tablet Platform
Winner: ABS-CBN Publishing, Inc. "Metro Magazine iPad Edition" (Philippines)
Excellence Award: Trends Media Group "Special Issue of Trends Cosmopolitan for iPad" (China) and MediaCorp Pte. Ltd. "Style: magazine iPad application" (Singapore)

Category: Best Use of Social Networks
Winner: U Magazine, HKET "Pursuing Social Power: U Magazine Facebook fanpage" (Hong Kong)
Excellence Award: Alphabet Media Pte. Ltd. "FutureGov Asia Pacific Magazine" (Singapore)

Category: Best Use of Design, Layout and Presentation
Winner: MediaCorp Pte. Ltd. "ELLE Spring/Summer 2011 Trends booklet, March 2011" (Singapore)
Excellence Award: Technology Review India "(1)PHOTO ESSAY (2)DEMO" (India)

ASIAN BOOK PUBLISHING AWARDS

Category: Best use of multimedia marketing by a book publisher
Winner: Commonwealth Publishing Company "You Can Make a Difference, Too" (Taiwan)
Excellence Awards: One Media Group Limited "Sammi Cheng - eBOOK" (Hong Kong) and HarperCollins Publishers India "The "Who is Johnny?" Campaign" (India)

Category: Best book / Best writer on Asian Socio-Economic or Media scene
Winner: Paiboon Publishing "The Interpreter's Journal" (Thailand)
Excellence Awards: Katha "Chouboli and Other Stories" (India) and Maverick House Publishers "A Secret History of the Bangkok Hilton by Chavoret Jaruboon & Pornchai Sereemongkonpol" (Thailand)

ASIAN CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS AWARDS

Category : Innovative Corporate Communications in a Multi-media World
Winner: Hong Bao Media (Holdings) Pte. Ltd. "Cable & Wireless Worldwide Low Latency Networks" (Singapore)

Excellence Awards: Manila Water Company, Inc. "The Path of Pat Tubig: Water and Wastewater Trail Program" (Philippines) and Sirimedia Co., Ltd. "Andaman 365 degree Application on iPad in App Store" (Thailand)

Also handed out were the first Asian Fashion Photography Awards presented by SmarttPapers Aviation. The winner was Chuan Looi of Malaysia, and the Excellence Awards went to Chiang-Liang Hsiao of Taiwan and Bona Soertito of Indonesia.
A Lifetime Achievement Award was also presented to Dr. Thanachai Theerapatvong, the founder of The Nation Company – now known as Nation Multimedia Group. In presenting the award, the organisers, sponsors and partners commend Dr. Thanachai for his outstanding contribution in building a publishing conglomerate with print newspapers in English and Thai, magazines, radio and a television station.

THE "PRICE" OF MEDIA COVERAGE

2011-07-11T08:45:00.000+07:00

The Thai Journalists Association, as reported by the Bangkok Post, has launched an investigation into claims that two reporters took money in exchange for publishing photographs of Yinkluck Shinawatra. (Would reporters really have the power to influence photo coverage?)

This reminds me of my personal experience several years ago where I was quoted a "price" for some PR news being mentioned in print by one of Thailand's leading columnists.

My understanding is that this is fairly common in Thailand, although I've never paid or been paid for any coverage. Journalists attending press conferences here are routinely fed and watered, and sometimes get a thumb-drive or notebook as a 'gift' from the hosting company. That's no different to anywhere else I've worked.

A TASTY BOOK FOR BANGKOK FOODIES

2011-07-10T18:28:00.000+07:00

In a minor detour from my magazine-focused stories, I want to give a hearty recommendation for a book I finally got around to buying yesterday.

Bangkok's Top 50 Street Food Stalls does exactly what it says on the cover, providing a list a the best street food in the Thai capital. And from someone who could be the perfect author of 'Bangkok's Best Fast Food Experiences' based on my personal culinary habits, I have to say the descriptions and review of what's on offer in various nooks and crannies in the city is sumptuously salivating. It has to be in one of the top five 'must read' books for Bangkok residents and anyone planning to spend more than a few hours in Bangkok.

The book was launched a few months ago and is readily available at the modest price of 390 baht from Asia Books and other English language bookshops in Thailand. It's also available on Amazon.com.

NEWS OF THE WORLD: THE BACKLASH

2011-07-08T05:19:00.002+07:00

Rupert Murdoch certainly has guts. It takes a lot to kill a best-selling publication with more than 160 years of history.

I am not condoning what is alleged to have happened at the News of the World, however one thing that's been missing from the reports so far is the fact that this was a successful publication because of the stories it published. Yes, there is now debate about how some of those stories were obtained, but the fact is the public was lapping them up.

I've certainly had first-hand experiences of one aspect of this story. When I started my career on newspapers in the early 1990s tip-off payments for stories were not unusual. Whether it was in the form of cash or a few drinks at a local pub, 'payment' for information happened, and one of my former colleagues was, shall I say, pretty close to members of the police.

My view is the News of the World saga has a long way to run. The backlash will likely spread to its sister paper The Sun, and I also feel there is potential for further anger directed towards Murdoch for his decision to cull such a historic publication and not take action against the accused individuals.

GLOBAL PUBLISHERS ARRIVE IN BANGKOK

2011-07-05T16:08:00.001+07:00

Magazine and newspaper publishers from around the world are arriving in Bangkok for the 5th annual Asian Publishing Convention, which takes place in the Thai capital on Thursday and Friday this week. And it's a case of 'third time lucky' as the two previous attempts to stage this event in Thailand in 2009 and 2010 were cancelled as a result of political instability.

Organisers claim that more than 350 global publishing professional will be attended the event at the Landmark Hotel, which starts tomorrow evening with a 'power dinner'.

The list of planned speakers looks formidable, with experts from around the world coming to Bangkok to share their knowledge of the latest trends and innovations in world publishing.

The event also features the Asian Publishing Awards, which are set to be announced on Friday evening. Two weeks ago the organisers revealed a shortlist of 26 finalists for the competition.

The Convention is hosted the The Magazine Association of Thailand.

FRONT PAGE NEWS AROUND THE WORLD

2011-07-05T07:00:00.000+07:00

A significant amount of front page column inches were devoted to coverage of Yingluck Shinawatra's general election win. Newspapers around the world - from The New York Times (pictured right) to leading newspapers in South Korea and even Sudan - chose to feature the news on the front page of their Monday editions. Newspapers in Austria, Pakistan and Sweden were also some who chose to give front page coverage to news from Thailand.

News and pictures also featured on front pages of regional U.S. newspapers, including the Arkansas Democrat Gazette and The Washington Times.

I'm personally a little surprised at the amount of front page global coverage this news has generated, especially on Independence Day in the United States and on the day after the Wimbledon men's final. Both of those stories featured more prominently on global front pages yesterday.

THAILAND ON THE FRONT PAGE

2011-07-04T08:20:00.002+07:00

News from yesterday's general election in Thailand is dominating the front pages of regional newspapers across South East Asia.

Singapore's Straits Times (pictured right) carries an image of Yingluck Shinawatra, while other Singapore newspapers including Business Times also carry the news as a lead story.

Wall Street Journal Asia also carries Puea That's win as its front page lead, while Malaysia's The Sun also leads with the story and includes two analysis pages inside. The news also appears as a front page story on the International Herald Tribune - although not the lead story.
I'll be monitoring any front page coverage from the Middle East, Europe and America later in the day.

In Thailand the Bangkok Post leads with the headline 'History in the making' while The Nation opts for 'It's Yingluck-y'.

OBSERVING THE THAI ELECTION

2011-07-03T15:19:00.000+07:00

Although a private poll, much of what happened in today's General Election in Thailand was very public. Public in the sense that some polling stations are on the sidewalks, and public in the sense that I was personally able to watch proceedings at very close quarters.

My polling station of choice was at a school in a small soi off Charansanitwong Road. Sitting next to one of two policemen on duty, I watched a steady stream of people arrive, chat, vote and leave. For most the whole process lasted little more than a few minutes. I watched as voter after voter dropped their ballot papers into the box - one side of which had clear glass to ensure transparency - literally.

I doubt a foreigner with no voting rights would be able to get so close to the poll in my home country of the United Kingdom.

NATION HAD IT COVERED

2011-07-03T05:38:00.000+07:00

I have to say that Saturday's front page of The Nation newspaper was very clever, and I wouldn't be surprised to see it winning some design awards later in the year.

On the day before today's (Sunday) Thailand General Election, the newspaper opted to run a split front cover, giving equal coverage to both leading candidates in the form of 'upside down' split coverage.

There's been an increasing trend amongst some of Thailand's magazine publisher to have two covers - one on the 'front' and one on the 'back' - but this is the first time I've seen a newspaper be so creative.

Kudos to the page designers at The Nation.

VACANCY FOR SPORTS SUB EDITOR

2011-07-02T06:49:00.000+07:00

The Bangkok Post, Thailand's leading English language daily is looking for self-motivated, energetic persons with for the position of Sports Sub Editor.

Necessary Qualifications for this position are:

A minimum of five years editing, sub-editing or reporting experience with a national daily newspaper, local or international wire service, preferably on a sports desk.
English fluency.
Avid interest in sporting news.
University graduate.
Outgoing personality and inquisitive mind.
Ability to work under deadline and time pressure.
Willingness to work weekends and odd hours.
Prior experience in web design, online news production a plus.
Newspaper design experience, including knowledge of Photoshop, InDesign and pagination systems a plus.

The sports sub-editor assists the sports editor in commissioning, editing, rewriting and fact-checking stories for the sports pages of the newspaper. On offer is a competitive salary and benefits for the suitable candidate.

Send application letters with a detailed resume, recent photograph and work and writing examples to chiratasn AT bangkokpost.co.th or via mail to: Editorial Manager (ref: Sports sub-editor), Post Class. No 5000, Bangkok Post, 136 Na Ranong Road, Klong Toey, Bangkok, 10110.

FLICKR SNAPPER GETS COMPENSATION

2011-06-30T08:01:00.000+07:00

Today Online in Singapore reports today about a photographer who has successfully obtained compensation from a publisher who 'took' an image from his Flickr account and published it in a magazine.

An image created by William Cho was used in the May edition of Jetstar Magazine, and after a tip-off he appears to have been successful in getting S$750 in compensation from publishers Ink Publishing.

Speaking to Today Online he said: ""It is the way that they try to sneak around that makes me angry. I could have given my photographs for free but at least people should ask".

The fact is that a number of magazine publishers use Flickr as a useful source of free images. Flickr uses Creative Commons licensing, and depending upon the level chosen by the user in some cases there's actually no need for a publisher to make payment or even contact the photographer for approval prior to re-publishing an image. The only thing required to use more any of more than 27 million images currently available under the 'Attribution' license is a credit or by-line.

MODEL CAMPAIGN WINS GOLD IN CANNES

2011-06-29T08:40:00.000+07:00

One Thailand winner at this week's 58th Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity was the Bangkok-based Creative Juice TBWA advertising agency.
The team, led by Chief Creative Officer Thirasak Tanapatanakul, collected a prestigious Gold Lion for its Assembled Calendar project for model brand Tamiya.
Other Golds for Thailand went to Euro RSCG and Sound Art Bangkok.
Thailand often touts its ambition to be a creative hub for the South East Asia region. For sure there are some extremely creative people in the Kingdom, however these talents are rarely reflected in wins in world-class awards events.

NEW LAUNCH: WOMEN'S HEALTH THAILAND

2011-06-28T05:24:00.001+07:00

The May edition of Women's Health Thailand

Women's Health Thailand magazine became the latest Thai language licensed edition of an overseas magazine when it launched here last month.

Published from the U.S. by Rodale, the local language edition is published by Media Transasia who, in October 2006, launched the Thai language edition of companion title Men's Health.

The publisher, in its press release, said the magazine would benefit from an initial print run of 120,000 copies. In an interview with The Nation it also expressed its aim to attract 20,000 subscribers in the first year.

Despite my personal skepticism that the magazine will achieve this lofty goal, it does benefit from one of the most attractive subscription offers I've seen from a Thai magazine. A one-year subscription is available for 600 baht with a free branded gym bag worth 350 baht. Kudos to the publishers for creating an attractive subscription offer, although achieving 20,000 inside a year will be next to impossible. That would mean attracting more subscribers than the Bangkok Post and likely the second-best subscribed magazine in Thailand behind Reader's Digest Thailand.

THE CURSE OF PUBLISHERS AND BOOKSHOPS

2011-06-27T14:44:00.000+07:00

A typical display of magazines in a Thai bookshop

The increasing number of bi-monthly, quarterly and even half-yearly magazines on the shelves in Thailand is bad news for newsagents and other publishers alike. And I can't imagine readers are particularly happy either.

The cost of having one title occupying valuable and increasingly scarce real estate on the jam-packed bookshelves is a considerable one for retailers. It's also a bad thing for publishers of weekly, bi-weekly and monthly titles who have to battle for space with these long term residents.

Perhaps retailers in Thailand should impose a 'one month maximum' limit on magazines with a shelf life of more than 30 days? After all, a significant number of publishers don't care how many copies they sell - they'd rather have the exposure on the shelves for marketing purposes.

HOW MANY COPIES IN THE SHOPS?

2011-06-26T17:50:00.000+07:00

Depending on where you look it's relatively easy to find the number of copies of newspapers and magazines being supplied to individual shops.

This image, albeit a grainy one taken on my iPhone, was snapped recently at a leading bookshop in Bangkok. It clearly shows the number of copies of some newspapers and magazine being supplied. This delivery note was pinned to the top of a pile of newspapers and magazines, and clearly available for anyone to read. It also shows the price, and the level of commission payable per sale.

Here you can see that 30 copies of number one Thai language daily newspaper Thai Rath were supplied, along with two copies of business monthly magazine Leader Time and five copies of the bi-weekly English language newspaper Pattaya Mail.

I'm guessing that publishers will be in two minds about this level of data being on display. Those claiming vastly exaggerated sales will be appalled whereas those with decent levels of distribution will not be too bothered.

THAILAND'S BEST iPAD MAG SO FAR

2011-06-24T07:51:00.000+07:00

Serenade magazine is probably the best iPad magazine produced from Thailand I've seen so far - and I've seen a lot.

What's interesting is that this Thai language magazine is produced by phone company AIS and not a traditional or experienced publisher. It's also free. Publishers in Thailand - take note.

Earlier the week the Bangkok Post reported how the quarterly magazine is aiming to ".. showcase the development of the digital magazine industry ..". It's doing exactly that, making the most of video, images, 'drag-able' text and other interactive features. AIS is hoping 20,000 users will download the magazine.

Anyone interested in digital publishing should really download Serenade and see what is possible. It's availabe from the App Store by searching 'serenade'.

WANTED! ELEPHANT REPORTER

2011-06-22T07:54:00.000+07:00

Are you a talented reporter aged between seven and 15-years-old?

Anantara Resort in Hua Hin has launched a search for a young journalist to report on the Elephant Polo which will be happening in Hua Hin, Thailand, in September.

The winner of the hunt for a roving elephant reporter will become a star of the elephant polo circuit, delivering international coverage of the games from a VIP pitch-side seat. Exclusive interviews with Cherry the Elephant Vet and Director of Elephants John Roberts will allow the winner to investigate behind the scenes with Anantara’s most experienced elephant gurus.
To enter this elephantastic competition you need to submit/upload a short video lasting between one and two minutes to www.facebook.com/anantara. Press “Like”; Go to ‘Share’ on the main wall; Click ‘Video’, where you have a choice of recording a video with your webcam or uploading a pre-prepared video and explain why you should be chosen as Anantara’s roving elephant reporter. Alternatively you can mail a CD to I Want To Be An Elephant Reporter, Anantara Hotels, 18th Floor Berli Jucker House, 99 Soi Rubia, Sukhumvit Soi 42, Bangkok 10110, Thailand.

The contestant with the best video entry as voted by Anantara's elephant experts will be invited to spend seven fun filled nights on a full board basis with an accompanying adult at Anantara Hua Hin Resort & Spa, including return flights, accommodation, daily activities and transport.

Contestants must be aged between seven and 15 years-old and videos need to be between one and two minutes long. Contestants can be of any nationality but need to present their video in English. Entries must be submitted by August 1st and the winner will be announced on August 4th. The winner needs to be available between September 4 and 11.

SCIENCE ILLUSTRATED SET TO DEBUT

2011-06-21T12:38:00.000+07:00

Post International Media is set to launch Science Illustrated Thailand magazine this week.

As exclusively revealed by this website in April, the Thai language edition will be the latest licensed magazine to appear on the shelves in Thailand when it makes its debut on Friday. A print-run of 25,000 copies and a cover price of 110 baht has been announced by Bonnier, the overseas publishers who originally launched the title in 1984.

Post International Media, a division of Post Publishing - the publishers of The Bangkok Post - currently has local language licensed editions of Elle, Elle Decoration, Cleo, Marie Claire and Martha Stewart Living magazines in its portfolio.

This will be Thailand's first licensed local language science magazine, and arguably the most niche publication to appear so far. It will be interesting to see the level of advertising it is able to attract.

NEW MAGAZINE, BARGAIN SUBS OFFER

2011-06-20T13:32:00.000+07:00

Alpha Southeast Asia is the latest publication to join the ranks of Thai language business magazines.

The Hong Kong-based title was launched in January 2007 and is now expanding its reach by way of local language editions of the publication which, according to its website, is the first and only institutional investment magazine.

The June 15 - July 15 Thai language edition runs to 52 pages and sells for 100 baht. Advertising, as you would expect from a niche title, is light.

What's interesting is the subscription business model this publisher employs. Ten issues (1-year) are available for 2,000 baht directly from the publisher - that's double the price you'd pay buying each issue from Asia Books!

THAI SUPPLIES MARKET MAGS

2011-06-19T06:25:00.000+07:00

Magazines which appear on sale at Bangkok's Chatuchak Weekend Market are mostly supplied to the stallholders by Thai Airways, The Bangkok Bugle understands.

Copies of current editions of global magazines appear on sale for a fraction of their cover price, but until now it was believed that cleaners and airport staff were responsible for taking copies off incoming aircraft and selling them on to market stallholders. Whilst this does happen, the vast majority of magazines are 'officially' supplied by Thailand's national flag carrier.

The Bangkok Bugle now understands there is an official contract offered by Thai Airways which provides the highest bidder with twice-weekly supplies of magazines from incoming aircraft and other sources. Copies include magazines destined for airport lounges, copies supplied for in-flight reading and copies left on board by passengers.

HAVE YOUR SAY: Is Thai Airways right to sell copies of magazines this way? As a publisher, what's your view that 'free copy' magazines aimed at passengers may end up for sale in this way? Leave your comment and join the debate.

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR MEDIA WORK ?

2011-06-15T07:55:00.000+07:00

Are you a journalist or writer looking for full-time or freelance writing opportunities in Thailand?

In response to increasing demand, The Bangkok Bugle will shortly be introducing a new page where writers and journalists can list 80 words about themselves and their skills with a view to attracting work from publishers. The service is free and anonymous as The Bangkok Bugle will handle initial inquiries and forward them accordingly.

The Bangkok Bugle is the only English language news website focusing on publishing and media issues in Thailand, and often further afield. Since May 2006 it has been attracting visitors from around the world. Now, more than five years on, the website is attracting an average of 650 unique visitors per day - most of whom have an interest in media.

If you are a journalist or writer seeking full-time or freelance opportunities primarily in Thailand, please send no more than 80 words to sell yourself to potential publishers to bkkandy AT myway.com. Please include your real name in your email, although this does not have to be included in your 80 words.

THE MONKEY MAGAZINE MYSTERY

2011-06-14T15:24:00.000+07:00

Whatever happened to Thailand's Monkey magazine?

Just two years ago I wrote about how, with more than 11,000 active subscribers, the page-flipping licensed local language edition of the U.K. lads mag, could be the way forward for traditional publishers. Editor Dom Chotivanich told me how Monkey would be the start of bigger things.

Now it's nowhere to be found. The former URL has been inactive for several months or more and my inquiries to Dennis Publishing, owner of the Monkey brand, have remained unanswered.

If Monkey has disappeared in Thailand it's a sad waste of 11,000 fans of the brand. Monkey was the first entirely page-flipping magazine to appear and likely the last.

MACWORLD: SO VERY DISAPPOINTING

2011-06-09T12:45:00.000+07:00

I don't think I have ever been so disappointed with a magazine.

I picked up a (bagged) copy of Macworld while I was in Hong Kong last week. I was tempted by the cover and the promise of reading "How the iPad is transforming the media". I don't have a Mac but I have an iPad and iPhone and, of course, am passionate about all things media. I thought it would be a good read.

But how utterly disappointing. I was expecting some kind of analysis and reports based on the cover headline. What I got was simply pathetic. There's a two-page look about 'Twelve ways to publish to the iPad", a one-page list and short reviews of "The top 10 magazines on the iPad" and three pages of promotion about how and why you should read Macworld on your iPad. There was nothing that I didn't already know.

Obviously I was expecting too much. I wonder if I should write to the publisher to demand a refund of my HK$102 based on their misleading cover?

BABY SAYS 'UP YOURS' TO THAI ELECTION

2011-06-09T07:54:00.000+07:00

I've got to share this with you. This is the latest poster to appear close to my home in Bangkok, promoting a candidate in the Thai general election which is set for July 3rd.

I did a double take when I saw this for the first time yesterday evening, and yes - this is the 'up yours' V-sign as opposed to the V-for-Victory gesture.

The number of posters on the streets has increased significantly during the past week, and are also constantly changing to bring new messages. In some places the posters also include dogs and monkeys.

TIME OPTS TO RESELL UNSOLD MAGS

2011-06-08T07:42:00.000+07:00

TIME magazine is the latest publisher to offer offer copies of previously unsold issues as a bagged 'Combo Pack'.

Last week I wrote about Newsweek's bargain offer where copies of weeks-old issues were repackaged with the current issue. TIME's initiative in Hong Kong is slightly different in that two old copies - from March 28 and May 2 - are packaged and sold for HK$75 as part of a 'Combo Pack' offer. The current issue - dated June 13 - is being sold individually for the normal news stand rate of HK$55.

My personal feeling is that newsagents should refuse to take copies of anything other than current editions of magazines. What's the point of trying to selling copies which didn't sell the first time around? There's little enough space on the shelves anyway without giving these issues a second chance.

POST, NATION GET MYANMAR DISTRIBUTION

2011-06-02T09:10:00.001+07:00

The Bangkok Post and The Nation, Thailand's two English language daily newspapers, have begun official distributed in Myanmar.

A report in the Myanmar Times details how a local distribution company will be importing 20 copies of each newspaper, targeting embassies, hotels, businesses and newspaper publishers in Yangon. The number of copies will be increase in response to demand, the report says, and copies will be delivered no later than 4pm each day once they have been censored by government authorities.

“We have to struggle to compete against agents in [the market for] international newspapers. Cleaners take copies of the Bangkok Post as they sweep the plane after Thai Airways’ flights land in Yangon International Airport,” said U Myo Aung, the Managing Director of the Success International distribution company. News vendors buy up these copies, fix them up and then resell them around Bogyoke Market.

There's something familiar about that. Swap Myanmar for Thailand and Bogyoke for Chatuchak and that's exactly what happens with magazines here.

FREELANCE WRITERS WANTED

2011-06-02T07:35:00.000+07:00

The Chiang Rai Times is looking for freelance writers. Payment will be per word. Presently the publication is online although there are plans to produce a print edition once a sufficient online following has been developed.

Contact info AT chiangraitimes.com with your resume for more details.

IMPORTED MAGS: THAILAND VS. SINGAPORE

2011-06-01T08:44:00.000+07:00

Imported magazines are expensive no matter where in the world you are. Shipping costs and import taxes all play a part in adding to the retail price of magazines from Europe and the United States being sold in Thailand, Singapore and the rest of South East Asia.

I've looked at a number of magazines in recent weeks, and cover prices are marginally more expensive in Singapore compared to Thailand.

One example is Tap!, a magazine published in the United Kingdom by Future Publishing. The cover price in the UK is £5. In Singapore the magazine sells for S$15.90 which equals £7.83. In Thailand the same magazine sells for 375 baht - or £7.51.

Exchange rates also play a part in this comparison, although in general imported magazines cost more in Singapore. And in general imported magazines cost roughly three times more in both countries than the locally-produced equivalents.

NEWSWEEK'S 'BARGAIN' OFFER

2011-05-31T14:49:00.000+07:00

Newsweek seems to think that editions of its magazine which didn't sell first time around will persuade buyers to part with cash some five months on.

In Thailand this week you can buy the current double-issue edition of the magazine for 180 baht, but alongside this issue on the shelves is a wrapped special offer where you get that same current edition with one dated January 10-17 for the 'bargain' price of 225 baht.

Unlike some publications Newsweek's content is often time sensitive, so I cannot understand why anyone would want to effectively pay and extra 45 baht for a copy of one five-month-old news magazine?

INNOVATIVE PRINT ADVERTISING

2011-05-30T08:04:00.000+07:00

I saw this innovative example of print advertising in the April edition of Thai language magazine Anywhere.

It's quite an intricate advertisement; there's an overlapping cup stuck on top of the printed version creating a pocket in which the Twinings tea bag has been placed. This would not have been cheap to produce, and the teabags would likely have been individually inserted.

Advertisements like this stand out in Thailand, largely because there are so few of them when compared to magazines elsewhere in the region and further afield.

Anywhere magazine (the April edition of which was still on sale on May 29th) is published by Magic Productions. This edition contains 164 pages and sells for 95 baht. The ed/ad ratio is at least 80/20 in this edition.

DON'T BELIEVE ALL YOU READ

2011-05-27T08:18:00.000+07:00

I don't like to indulge in Nation bashing however some "facts" which appeared in one of their stories earlier this week about Bangkok's property sector are wildly inaccurate.

The story claims Bangkok and its suburbs has supply of some 459,240 units which will take three years to be absorbed without any further property coming to market. If that were true Bangkok would be in some serious property bubble trouble.

I asked one of my colleagues to check with the person who was quoted as providing this information, and the truth is that the figure of 459,240 is the value in millions of Thai baht of all low-rise housing projects being planned in Bangkok and its surrounds - both sold and unsold.

The story also noted that 49 projects with 20,116 units worth more than 50 billion baht have been launched in Greater Bangkok during the first four months of this year. The truth is that 49 is the number of low-rise housing projects launched in Bangkok and perimeter provinces by listed companies during first four months of this year. The figure of 20,116 is the number of units in low-rise housing projects launched in Bangkok and perimeter provinces by both listed and non-listed developers combined. The total number of projects launched is 107 and not 49 as quoted.

What's equally interesting is how this story has been copied word-for-word by several cut-and-paste property news websites who have chosen to believe that everything published elsewhere is true and not worth questioning.