Newspapers get slimmer as delivery becomes tough

The flood crisis in Bangkok is forcing newspapers to cut down their editions due to transportation problems and giving no choice but to move their vehicles to higher ground.

Some media organisations are also providing shelter for employees whose homes are submerged, while others are providing food and cash in aid.

The Nation is now publishing a slimmer edition and a free PDF version of the paper is provided at www.nationmultimedia.com for subscribers who have not been getting their paper delivered.

The Bangkok Post has also announced that it will be publishing a slimmer edition for another week.

The Thailanguage Naew Na daily, which is based on Vibhavadi Road, has suspended its printed version from Wednesday to Sunday, though the newspaper can be read on www.naewna.com.

Daily News newspaper and the Thai Public Broadcasting Service (TPBS), which are also on Vibhavadi Road, have moved all their vehicles to higher ground.

Patthanazin Pakdeeponlachai, a producer with TPBS, said the TV station was doing its best to continue broadcasting as normal.

"The floods have affected many shows because some of our guests have not been able to make it. Sometimes we have had to cancel shows altogether and we can no longer give people a lift on our vans or offroad vehicles," he explained.

With the TPBS entrance blocked by 70centimetres of water, the TV station is moving people from Mo Chit BTS terminal using forklifts. The military has also sent trucks to help.

"Staff members who do not necessarily have to work at the office have been told to stay home from Wednesday to Friday [yesterday]," he said.

He added that if worse comes to the worst, the station would use the studios in Chulalongkorn University and transmit the shows via its outside broadcasting unit.

Daily News, meanwhile, may have reduced its pages and editions, but it is ensuring that every subscriber gets a printed copy every day, a senior editorial staff member, who asked not to be named, said. The source added that the paper's management had contacted other printing houses just in case its own printing house is submerged.

An executive from Matichon, who asked not to be named, said the newspaper has reduced its edition to 12 pages, and is looking for backup printing facilities. The newspaper's offices are located in Bangkok's Chatuchak district.

Meanwhile, the source at Daily News said the company had been using its delivery trucks to give lifts to employees until it became impossible.

"About 200 members of the staff and their families have moved into the office and are provided with four meals every day. If you visit, you will see an active atmosphere day and night. It has become our home, and everybody is doing their best," the source said.

In addition to providing shelter at its headquarters on Bang NaTrat, the Nation News Network is also providing Bt10,000 in assistance to staff members whose homes are flooded. Matichon is also providing shelter to its evacuees and is planning to give Bt5,000 to each employee who is flood victim.