.

Once in awhile, a topic comes up on ThaiVisa that I just don't understand at first.

But, with patience, understanding sometimes comes.

Two weeks ago a thread here offered a gushing review about CityLife, one of several English-language magazines in Chiangmai.

That gushing post blatantly promoted circulation and advertising for CityLife.

I think -- but am not sure -- that CityLife is an advertiser here, so I am grateful if they help pay to make this discussion forum available.

But, still, it was a strange topic, out of the blue, and I didn't understand.

... Citylife Magazine ... almost everybody in Chiang Mai - who can read - wants a copy and makes sure to look through it every month. ... I always advise business owners ... that Citylife is the place to advertise if you want to make sure that your advertisement will actually be seen. A lot of the local magazines just sit on a table somewhere and are pretty much ignored. ... Citylife is real asset to Chiang Mai. Everybody loves the Thai owner who understands both Thai and Western culture so well and they also advertise on Thai Visa so she obviously knows what she is doing when it comes to business. It would be difficult to recommend Citylife Magazine too highly.

Link:

Can't Get Enough CityLife Magazines

Today understanding arrived.

The new edition of CityLife has a large, gushing, feature about Gecko Books, the business (I assume) owned by the poster of the comments above.

You can see it here: http://www.chiangmainews.com/ecmn/viewfa.php?id=2824

I think -- but am not sure -- that Gecko Books is also an advertiser here, and so I very much appreciate if they, too, are providing financial support of this forum.

CityLife magazine and Gecko Books are two big names in little Chiangmai.

Nothing wrong with everybody promoting each other -- that's good for business and good for forums, too.

But when advertising masquerades as a forum topic -- without disclosing an interest -- that's grist for discussion.

-- Oneman

Chiangmai

Your assumptions are right. Geeko and Ulysses are the same.

It is very poor form in my view to make a gushing commendation when the reality is pure cold commercialisation.

I appreciate that the sponsors allow this forum to operate and we all thank them for that. But they could be a little bit more open and honest about their advertising.

The example you quote is a very blatant one but your valid point could equally apply to others.

For what it is worth and knowing Pim, I am not entirely convinced she would have wanted Citylife to have been promoted in this underhand way, There are standards and standards.

caf

Paranoid nonsense.

Pim interviewed me for the CL article and mentioned that it is hard making ends meet in the current economic environment (she said much the same thing here), so I gave them a positive mention on Thai Visa as they very much deserve it.

I have promoted Citylife many times in the past - as they do such a good job and are appreciated by most of the expatriate community. No conspiracy theories here.

Forum Sponsors are allowed to promote their business on the forum.

What is not allowed is posting comments specifically to stir up trouble for advertisers and sponsors.

CLOSED