BANGKOK POST INCREASES COVER PRICE

The Bangkok Post has increased its cover price today by 20 per cent, up from 25 baht to 30 baht. Citing increased print and production costs, the 'Note from the Editor' on the front page adds the Sunday edition will rise to 40 baht and provide a "bigger, better, deeper and smarter" concept. From October 1st the price for subscriptions will also rise, from the current 4,900 baht to 5,900 baht.
Price rises in the print media are inevitable and although The Nation remains at 25 baht I predict a similar increase within the next few weeks. The price of imported magazines has also been increasing in recent weeks and months by anything up to 30 per cent. I know of one imported magazine that now costs 425 baht compared to 295 baht earlier this year.
It's amazing that some of the locally produced Thai language magazines are still able to offer a 40 baht or 50 baht cover price. The printing costs alone are likely to be 15-20 baht per copy, and anything up to half the cover price will be lost in distribution commission.
From my own experiences a cover price increase will not have too much impact on the number of readers. Will you stop buying The Bangkok Post because of a 5 baht per day increase?