RETURN TO SENDER? NO, SELL AT CHATUCHAK
Undelivered subscriber copies of magazines are ending up for sale at Bangkok's Chatuchak Market in significant numbers, an investigation by The Bangkok Bugle can reveal.
Magazines from the United States, Europe, Australia and even Thai-produced magazines that were intended for delivery to addresses in Bangkok are openly on sale. All copies I have purchased contain an 'Return to sender in the event of non-delivery' message and include prepaid return postage.
I tracked down the intended recipient of one copy of an August 2008 U.S. edition of Travel + Leisure magazine. With an unusual Thai name it wasn't too difficult using just the information on the label.
The subscriber, who turned out to be CEO for one of Bangkok's leading advertising agencies, admitted to being shocked by the fact I had his magazine. He said: "I did change my address a while back which meant I did miss some issues of this magazine, but I never thought for one moment that the undelivered copies would end up at the market. It's worrying."
This issue affects many people. Firstly subscribers in Thailand are not getting their magazines. Thailand's postal service doesn't have the best of reputations however some of these magazines are delivered using supposedly trusted global carries. Publishers lose out too, both in terms of reputation and also for the costs in replacing that missing copy. You can be sure those costs will be passed on to readers in one way or another.
I have collected a number of examples over the past few weeks and roughly 75 per cent are destined for Thai nationals. Some have a Thai language address and almost all have a 'reason for non-delivery' stamp somewhere. No matter what reason is given all state 'Return to sender' in Thai.
Obviously there are many cases where that isn't happening.
4 comments:
Somehow I suspect this is another example of a Thai "black market industry". The Thai Airways to Chatuchak market route of selling magazines is probably just the tip of the iceberg. It would be fairly easy for the postal service to collect copies of all undelivered subscription magazines in one place - and then sell them, not just at Chatuchak.
I've seen brand new copies of magazines such as The Economist, Newsweek, Time, etc being sold near Pantip Plaza for 50-60 baht each. They are all current editions, wrapped in cellophane.
Leosia - thanks for your comment and for the information about the 'near Pantip' copies.
I'm assuming you saw significant numbers of these magazines as opposed to just one or two copies?
Yes. They're sold on the side of the road just past Fashion Mall and before Pantip. Lots of copies and a good range, usually the last few weeks editions. Haven't been there for a couple months though so things may have changed - but I doubt it!
Leosia. Thanks, I can picture the location. I'll check it out and see what's happening.
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