Adspace in stations and walkways, as well as intrain media, is handled by a firm called Triads Networks but, as Media went to press, rights to prime tunnel locations were being renegotiated, with Triads complaining that it had already starting placing ads in these sites. Triads CEO Tipsuda Yimwilai said the locations represent 50 per cent of potential business, according to local newspaper reports.
The key tunnel sites are apparently contested by How Come Entertainment, an ad agency founded by the prime-minister's son Panthongtae Shinawatra. Neither the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand nor Triads, a subsidiary of the company operating the train service, were available for comment as Media went to press.
The subway opened for public trial in April, with an official opening due in August. "It's a good, clean, modern environment with a lot of interest from advertisers," commented MindShare Thailand's managing director, Kevin Clarke. However, many potential advertisers are waiting for the rights issue to resolve itself, he added.
The new underground service follows the introduction of Bangkok's Sky Train.
Thai underground ad bookings in shambles
Ad bookings on the city's new subway system have been reportedly thrown into disarray by wrangles over control of its media sites.