True Visions - Decreasing Support For Foreign Customers

[toptuan]

Those of you who have a subscription with TrueVisions Satellite TV probably get the same monthly periodical that I do, "Premier" magazine, detailing all the upcoming TV movies and monthly schedule.

When I first got the magazine, three years ago, it was about 50/50 in Thai and English, (especially for movie synopses, which was a big help) and it was a nice support for foreign customers. About a year ago, it went down to 25% English and 75% Thai. I noticed the last issue had 0% English for movie synopses and 100% Thai. I wonder if this has been a conscious move on TrueVisions' part--to decrease informational support for foreign customers.

Now, I have to bypass most of the special sections of the magazine to go to the very small-print schedules (which are partially in English) to get a very partial idea of what's coming up in the next month. The magazine has lost 80% of it's usefulness to me. Even the advertising contains a lot less English than formerly. Kudos to TrueVisions, if it's Thai customer base is growing, but why cut out an important part of their market?

Of course, I don't expect or demand English for all services in Thailand (after all, it's Thailand), BUT I am a bit perplexed at a gradual reduction in services to foreign customers over the course of 3-4 years. I think I would be safe in betting that the expat community still has a non-proportionately higher percentage of customers compared to the available Thai/foreign market in this country. Why start cutting out their services?

Anyone else notice this, or am I just being too critical of TrueVisions' customer service?

Edited May 8, 2010 by toptuan

[samtam]

I must confess I just bin the magazine straight away. True's product is diminishing. I watch very few of the programmes on Platinum, but I still like to have some of these available to me, and as they have a monopoly, I do not have any choice. This is true of so many things provided in Thailand; pun intended. Unfortunately no competition means these conglomerates can do whatever they like, but in the long run it is why Thailand does not grow.

[kurnell]

I use the magazine for the latest promotions for Pizza Hut/Company. I haven't looked at any other scetion for 8 years. Utter crap.

[Pushit]

True Visions is a THAI cable/sattelite television program relay company. Customer service in THAILAND is an ALIEN concept period.

[up-country_sinclair]

If only they had competition, then they'd be compelled to offer a superior product.

[Pushit]

If only they had competition, then they'd be compelled to offer a superior product.

Sadly I think they would co-operate together to provide a mediocre product at cheapest cost, competition is also an ALIEN concept in Thailand

[Pib]

I do look at the pictures and promotions before putting it the recycling bag. The pictures/promtions are about the only thing big enough to read without putting the magazine under a microscope.

[Lovedog100]

I use the magazine for the latest promotions for Pizza Hut/Company. I haven't looked at any other scetion for 8 years. Utter crap.

This mad me laugh, I realized while reading it, that I use the pizza company ads, and that is it. The mag is almost useless. Did I say almost? It's useless, not That True's decade old programing is any better. For me, the money True cost, would be much better spent buying DVD's. With little choice what can we do? Sophon sucks, and acts like they don't want English speaking customers either.

[drjden]

And if I may ask, how many satellite-/cabletv guides in your home countries are printed multilingual?

[toptuan]

None that I know of.

However, my home government and educational system do not actively promote the learning of Vietnamese, Chinese, Russian, etc. by telling its citizens that it is a key to their future, their careers, and to the country's economic growth. Thailand does.

Strange its companies would restrict rather than expand the use of English. Again, form but no substance.

[Tanaka]

None that I know of.

However, my home government and educational system do not actively promote the learning of Vietnamese, Chinese, Russian, etc. by telling its citizens that it is a key to their future, their careers, and to the country's economic growth. Thailand does.

Strange its companies would restrict rather than expand the use of English. Again, form but no substance.

I agree with you, it is worse. However, we only get our copy around the middle of the month so only half of the info can be of any use, theoretically. But you will also find that they regularly change programmes so what you read in the mag is not what is shown. Think they may have people there who throw all programme notes in a bin and they take them up at random and put them in for printing the mag. It seems to be only an occasional mishap if the mag programme coincides with what is actually shown. Maybe the person who did the English translation quit. Also, some specialist there has altered their website so it is now much more difficult to try and figure out what is on the menue for the day.

[quiksilva]

I use the magazine for the latest promotions for Pizza Hut/Company. I haven't looked at any other scetion for 8 years. Utter crap.

This mad me laugh, I realized while reading it, that I use the pizza company ads, and that is it.

Yup same here. The only exception I can think of was the announcement of HD services and fixtures for world cup. Apart from that I'm happy to receive my updated pizza hut menu every month

[Sunbelt Asia]

I personally never look at the magazine.

The True website has all the listings and more. It's all I ever need.

Making entrepreneur dreams a reality

www.sunbeltasia.com

[bkkjames]

I use the magazine for the latest promotions for Pizza Hut/Company. I haven't looked at any other scetion for 8 years. Utter crap.

This mad me laugh, I realized while reading it, that I use the pizza company ads, and that is it.

Yup same here. The only exception I can think of was the announcement of HD services and fixtures for world cup. Apart from that I'm happy to receive my updated pizza hut menu every month

Mr. Silva, could you update us on these new HD services?