Chiang Mai paper drops print run, will now publish exclusively online

Chiang Mai paper drops print run, will now publish exclusively online

By SAKAORAT SIRIMA 
THE NATION 

Chiang Mai News, a 27-year-old newspaper, has abandoned its print edition to fully embrace online production.

The move was announced yesterday, coinciding with Thai Journalist Day, which falls on March 5 every year to mark the establishment of the Thai Journalists’ Association.

“Technology has influenced how people get news updates,” Chiang Mai News director Sarawoot Sae Teaw said.

He said digital disruption had affected his newspaper, which had between 120,000 and 150,000 readers each day. 

The first issue of Chiang Mai News came out on June 14, 1991, covering news in eight northern provinces. 

“Recognising the technological impacts on our operations, we have created our website and accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Line,” Sarawoot said. 

He emphasised that Chiang Mai News had not gone out of business. 

“It is just that we are leaving bookstalls,” he said. 

He said the move would reduce the workforce by about 20 per cent, with delivery people, print technicians and some other employees no longer required. 

“But we have hired some new staff, the new-generation people, to support our comprehensive news coverage. We have brought in new technologies such as drones,” Sarawoot said. 

He said public response to the online Chiang Mai News had been good. “So, we believe it’s time for us to go fully online,” Sarawoot said. 

He said he was confident that Chiang Mai News would remain the top media outlet for Thailand’s northern region. 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30340247

 

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