DAILY XPRESS TO DISAPPEAR AS THE NATION 'UNDERGOES MINOR CHANGES'

It's official. Daily Xpress, the free tabloid English language newspaper published by Nation Multimedia since 4 March 2008, will disappear next week in what are described as "minor changes" to The Nation.
A story on today's front page describes "economic reasons" behind the demise of what was Thailand's first free daily English language newspaper. The "minor changes" will see The Nation delivered in two sections and a combined pagination of 32 pages. It is currently two sections with 24 pages. The move will also shift the focus away from business, with a promise of "coverage and commentaries that will be adjusted to suit the evolving definition of news". The story adds: "It's our commitment to make our readers know better about "why" something happened, not merely "what" happened". The changes will also see the lifestyle and entertainment content that previously appeared in Daily Xpress included in a section called xp.
Daily Xpress benefited from a lavish launch and widespread distribution network in Bangkok during its early months. Recently it was rare to see the newspaper outside the confines of The Nation however within the last week I have twice seen street distribution taking place in new areas.
Renowned newspaper designer Mario Garcia was behind the original design. Late last month when news about the imminent demise of Daily Xpress first surfaced he told The Bangkok Bugle: "... design does not save or kill a newspaper. Many other factors do. In this economic environment I imagine money would be one."
I can only guess what "economic reasons" have played a part in this decision. From the outside Daily Xpress seems well advertised however I would surmise the income being generated from them is low and likely falling. Paper and print costs have declined this year so I cannot imagine they have played a part, but I'm sure that costs for distribution and content (wire service copy) are contributing factors.
The changes will happen from December 1.

H/t to Siam Politics.