Media & Entertainment
From The Report: Thailand 2012
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Thailand’s media sector has seen liberalisation on paper, with the passage of several laws to increase press freedom and competition. At the same time, a March 2012 decision to renew state agencies’ control of broadcast frequencies, and the restrictive 2007 Computer Crimes Act, suggest that media freedom in Thailand has a long way to go. Regardless, the sector is growing on the strength of terrestrial free-to-air television, which has very strong viewership thanks to its popular soap operas. Cable and satellite operators are beginning to add diversity to the sector, and growing computer and smartphone penetration is opening the mobile market, but TV is still by far the medium to beat.

This chapter contains an interview with Supakorn Vajjajiva, President, The Post Publishing Public Company.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Winds of change: Digital media offers much potential for growth
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With a 94% adult literacy rate, Thailand enjoys a thriving and diverse media environment that has emerged after decades of state-led development. Lifestyle and entertainment formats have proven the most popular across all mediums, which are led by television and radio. Print media has suffered in the advent of the digital age, which has stimulated an accelerating market-based transition heavily influenced by the proliferation of smartphones and tablets. The industry’s key battleground, however,…

Interview

OBG talks to Supakorn Vejjajiva, President and Chief Operating Officer, The Post Publishing Public Company
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Interview: Supakorn Vejjajiva What trends have you been seeing in advertising revenue for print media in Thailand? SUPAKORN VEJJAJIVA: Overall media spending has gone up, but only because of the rebound in TV. Spending on newspapers is not growing quickly at all, with only about a 1% rise over last year. However, our ad revenue has in fact increased by 18% year-on-year, so we are doing quite well. It’s different for The Bangkok Post, because a lot of our advertisers are in high-end property development…

Analysis

By land or by air: With access expanding, many opportunities await broadcasters and providers
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Deregulation of the cable and satellite channels in 2009 that permitted six minutes of commercials per hour and 120 per day has led to rapid market growth. Fuelled by cheaper satellite and set-top box hardware, satellite broadcasters are starting to tap into the rural market, which has previously been largely left off the grid by cable providers’ “urban-rich” business models. Digital TV is also expected to see large growth in 2012 following tentative approval of the digital master plan…

Overview

Back on track: The industry remains resilient in spite of external problems
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Worth $3bn, Thailand’s advertising industry continues to see strong growth. In line with the kingdom’s media trends, television remains the first go-to choice for advertisers, dominating both advertising spend and creative talent. Traditional print and radio formats are seeing a slow, inexorable decline whereas all other formats are experiencing accelerating growth buoyed by a healthy Thai economy and resilient consumer confidence. Despite devastating floods that caused severe disruption…