Nation group launches Thai broadsheet

<p>BANGKOK: Nation Multimedia Group, publisher of English-language </p><p>daily The Nation and Thai-language business daily Krungthep Turakij, </p><p>will launch a new Thai-language daily broadsheet on October 16. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Thepchai Yong, Nation group editor, said Kom Chad Luek would be a more </p><p>credible alternative to the more "sensational and irresponsible" news </p><p>style of Thailand's mass-market dailies. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The circulation target is 600,000 in six months for Kom Chad Luek, which </p><p>is entering a crowded marketplace, served by more than 10 mass-market </p><p>dailies. Market leader Thai Rath claims more than one million readers a </p><p>day, followed by Daily News with a circulation of 800,000, and Khao Sod </p><p>at 500,000. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Despite the competition, and a troubled economy, Thepchai is confident </p><p>the newcomer will pull in ads. "There is still a lot of advertising </p><p>money around. We have secured at least 200 million baht (US$2.3 </p><p>million) worth of ad commitments from a wide range of businesses which </p><p>say they want Thailand to have a quality popular newspaper." </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Korkhet Chantalertluk, former deputy editor of ITV television channel, </p><p>has been named editor and will lead a team of 70. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The paper will run an average of 32-36 pages, with general news and </p><p>current affairs, sports, and entertainment sections. Its eight baht </p><p>(US18 cents) price tag is the same as the other Thai dailies. Readership </p><p>is expected to be more downmarket than the urban, middle- to </p><p>upper-income audience reached by sister titles.About 30 to 35 per cent </p><p>of the paper will be reserved for advertising. Special ad packages have </p><p>been offered, which include a mix of exposures in the group's cable TV </p><p>news channel, newspaper website, and sister titles. </p><p><BR><BR> </p>

by | 10/12/2001