THAI SUPPLIES MARKET MAGS

Magazines which appear on sale at Bangkok's Chatuchak Weekend Market are mostly supplied to the stallholders by Thai Airways, The Bangkok Bugle understands.

Copies of current editions of global magazines appear on sale for a fraction of their cover price, but until now it was believed that cleaners and airport staff were responsible for taking copies off incoming aircraft and selling them on to market stallholders. Whilst this does happen, the vast majority of magazines are 'officially' supplied by Thailand's national flag carrier.

The Bangkok Bugle now understands there is an official contract offered by Thai Airways which provides the highest bidder with twice-weekly supplies of magazines from incoming aircraft and other sources. Copies include magazines destined for airport lounges, copies supplied for in-flight reading and copies left on board by passengers.

HAVE YOUR SAY: Is Thai Airways right to sell copies of magazines this way? As a publisher, what's your view that 'free copy' magazines aimed at passengers may end up for sale in this way? Leave your comment and join the debate.