It's well known that the main source of revenue for Thai media comes from advertising fees, used to promote products and services or publicize various stories about businesses. Therefore, as businesses grow and companies generate good revenue, the media should also have the opportunity to earn additional income, right? However, this isn't the case in Phuket, a famous tourist city in Thailand known worldwide. Even though Phuket is the smallest province in Thailand in terms of area (543 square kilometers, three times smaller than Bangkok) with only three administrative districts, it has one of the largest economies in the country, particularly thanks to its tourism sector, which generates over 500 billion baht in revenue.1 Furthermore, households in the area have an average income that ranks among the top 3 in the country.2
However, local media in Phuket are facing difficulties. Some long-established publications have closed down, many local journalists have moved on to other careers, and younger generations in the area are reluctant to work in news.
Why is that?
'Gone-Dead-Canceled': The Fate of Phuket's Local Media.
In the research report "Adaptation of Local Media in Phuket Province in the Era of Media Convergence" by Asst. Prof. Ussanee Sirisunthornpaiboon From Phuket Rajabhat University, published in 2563.LinkAt that time, the local media in Phuket consisted of 12 newspapers, 4 magazines, 56 radio stations, 15 local television (cable TV) units, and 7 online news outlets. Five years later, when updating the information with Associate Professor Usanee, who recounted the fate of each type of local media in Phuket, the phrases "almost none," "disappeared," and "ceased to operate" were frequently heard, due to a variety of factors.
1. Radio
In the days of community radio, almost every .25 MHz frequency had a station because anyone could set it up. However, after the NBTC (National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission) started inspecting stations and due to disruption, now there are only 8 main government-owned stations left, such as the National Broadcasting Corporation of Thailand (NBT) or Voice of the Royal Thai Navy (Voice of the Royal Thai Navy 3), and about 20 public, community, and commercial radio stations whose names appear on the list, but it's likely that not all of them are actually broadcasting.
2. Magazines
They're almost all gone now. In the past, there used to be two or three magazines that focused on local Phuket content, but that was a glorious past long ago. For example, Phuket Bulletin magazine ceased publication many years ago. Even today, people still say that its content was like a record of Phuket province.
3. Newspapers
A survey conducted jointly with the Thai Journalists Association (Reference 4) found that in the South, the province with the most local newspapers, after Songkhla, was Phuket. And these weren't just Thai-language newspapers; they also included foreign languages such as Chinese and Russian. For example, the formerly known as 'Siang Tai Newspaper' published in both Thai and Chinese, acting like the 'Thai Rath of the South' because it covered news throughout the region, not just in Phuket. However, it has now ceased publication due to business problems. Despite attempts to adapt by reducing its publication frequency from daily to every three days and then weekly, Phuket now has only 2-3 local newspapers remaining, most of which focus on content from government agencies.
4. Cable TV
Due to Phuket's island geography, some areas lack reception from the central network, and others are blocked by mountains. Therefore, they rely on cable TV, primarily serving two customer groups: tourists and locals. However, many providers have likely ceased operations due to the rise of satellite and online TV.
5. Online news agencies
As traditional media gradually declines, they are replaced by online news. However, what's increasing isn't 'news agencies,' but rather various 'complaint pages' on Facebook. Many of these pages have hundreds of thousands of followers because the page creators understand the feelings of the public better, as they often use the platform to reflect problems, which then lead to government intervention. This is an overview of local media in Phuket Province, as provided by Assistant Professor Usanee, and it should be noted that this information is from early 2568.
Why is it so difficult for news agencies to survive?
"The situation with local media in Phuket is quite difficult. Private companies are reluctant to advertise here because they can produce their own media, especially online media. This is because private companies in the tourism sector are usually large chains with the capability to manage their own media. If there is any advertising, it's usually for the launch of other products, and that happens sporadically, only occasionally."
This information is from... Salinee Prab The president of the Phuket Journalists Association responded to the question above: Despite Phuket's relatively prosperous economy, why do local media outlets receive almost no benefit from it?
Many local media outlets in Phuket have therefore resorted to alternative sources of income. If they don't have supplementary businesses, they often work as stringers for major media outlets. However, they have recently faced challenges as several major media outlets have reduced stringer compensation. Furthermore, there has been a shift in their approach to news coverage, with a greater focus on crime stories, which are rare in Phuket – mostly minor thefts and robberies. News on social or cultural issues has been given less importance.
Another significant change, which Salinee shared with Assistant Professor Usanee, is the rise of 'complaint pages' to the forefront, replacing 'news agencies.' When incidents occur in Phuket, mainstream media often contact these pages directly, further reducing the workload for local journalists.
Preliminary data reveals several Facebook pages in Phuket with hundreds of thousands of followers, including: "Phuket News Hawk" (7.7 followers), "Hod Jang Phuket" (5.4 followers), "Phuket Times" (4.5 followers), etc.
Although the Phuket Journalists Association currently has around 90 members, during important events we might see hundreds of people covering the news. Some still define themselves as journalists, but many others define themselves as influencers or content creators.
"Younger generations are less interested in becoming journalists; they'd rather be influencers, especially in lifestyle media, given Phuket's tourist status. The income disparity means that many Phuket media outlets might have to close down once this generation of journalists leaves," said the president of the Phuket Journalists Association.
Assistant Professor Usanee, who is the head of the Bachelor of Communication Arts program in Communication Arts at the Faculty of Management Sciences, Phuket Rajabhat University, added that each year there are about 80 students in each cohort. However, about 20-30% drop out as they study because students here need to work while studying, leaving only 50-60 students per cohort. Most of those who graduate go on to work as content creators, mostly in the hotel or restaurant industry. They don't define themselves as media professionals, but rather as photographers of food and hotels, working for clients.
“If you ask whether any generation wants to be a journalist, I can say very few (emphasizing the word 'journalistic'). They hardly read the news; they only see it when it pops up on social media. Therefore, their aspiration is to be an influencer, not a journalist. Because the image of a journalist in the eyes of these young people is that life is hard, difficult, the pay is low, and you have to live by your ideals,” Asst. Prof. Usanee concluded.
Even local media are having a hard time. What are the consequences?
Besides providing information, another expected mission of the media is to act as a 'watchdog,' monitoring for irregularities, especially in the use of government budgets and power.
For example, in Phuket province, while one side may appear bright and glamorous, like the neon lights on the walking street or the sunlight reflecting off the waves from the thriving tourism business, there is also a dark side to the story that needs to be investigated, exposed, and presented to the public so that everyone can work together to fix it.
However, with the news agency's pulse weakening, it couldn't fully fulfill this function. Coupled with the context of the area—a small province where everyone knows each other—investigative work became difficult.
"Investigative journalism usually originates mainly from Bangkok, and local media then approach sources for clarification. If we push too hard, they might resort to boycotts or refuse to communicate, making our work even more difficult," admitted Salinee Prab, president of the Phuket Journalists Association.
Assistant Professor Usanee Sirisunthornpaiboon from Phuket Rajabhat University added that, in terms of whether we need media to conduct investigative reporting, the answer is yes. However, we might need to consider aspects of their safety and security. For example, if they report on an investigative story, who will look after them? It's very difficult in areas where reporters and sources are in such close proximity.
"Expecting local news outlets to elevate their standards, given the surrounding context, is quite difficult. How can you expect them to engage in investigative journalism?" Ask what he will get for what he does. Received praise? So what?
"But personally, I still have hope. That is, the media in Phuket might not have to investigate the news themselves, but could use their connections to get the central media to come in and do it."
Before writing this report, we gathered information from other sources in Phuket Province, including politicians, local administrators, and the private sector. We received similar information: due to the struggle for survival, some media professionals in Phuket have turned to accepting public relations work from the government, either on a project-by-project or monthly basis, depending on the agreement. Others have sought close ties with powerful figures in various factions, as Phuket is not controlled by a single "big family," making it difficult to scrutinize the government and those in power.
Another issue frequently heard is the mindset of people in Phuket who don't want negative news about the area presented because it might negatively impact the province's development ("Don't hinder progress").
The various factors mentioned above present local media in Phuket with challenges in both 'survival and fulfillment of their duties'.
By 2568, it's not just the situation of 'mainstream media' facing a crisis in revenue, survival, and functioning that's worth paying attention to; 'local media' in various provinces is equally worthy of exploration and monitoring, as the context of each area also plays a role.
Source of information/references.
- Data from 2567, Department of Tourism, Ministry of Tourism.
- Data from 2566, from the National Statistical Office, Ministry of Digital Economy and Society.
- Research on the adaptation of local media in Phuket Province in the era of media convergence, by Usanee Sirisunthornpaiboon.
Published in 2553. - (From research on the status and role of communication for civic engagement in local newspapers in Southern Thailand, 2552, by researchers Usanee Sirisunthornpaiboon and Peerakarn Khainunna, it was found that in 2552 there were a total of 49 local newspaper titles in Southern Thailand. Songkhla Province had the most, with 11 titles, followed by Phuket Province with 9 titles, and Trang Province with 8 titles.)
