Ads target boat commuters

       Autsawaarcha Co has obtained a concession from Chao Phraya Express Boat Co to manage advertising space on its commuter boats and piers along the Chao Phraya River, expecting revenues around 250-300 million baht a year.
       Managing director Sean Goh said the company would manage ad space on four piers and 45 express and commuter boats for three years. It will pay fees of about 10 million baht a year to Chao Phraya Express Boat Co.
       "Ads on express and commuter boats are new for Thai society and will add colour to the Chao Phraya River, which has at least 500,000 boat commuters a day," he said.
       The ad banners and billboards on boats are classified as transit media.Amid the weak economy and high oil prices, more and more people have turned to use public transport to reduce their travel expenses.
       According to The Nielsen Company,transit media have high potential and spending grew by 28.1% in the first seven months of this year while overall media spending fell 4.36%.
       Autsawaarcha Co will invest 2 million baht to improve four boat piers and install ad banners and billboards, especially on boat roofs. An additional 10 million baht will be used to add TV screens on the boats and piers.
       The five commuting boat routes to have ads are Tha Chang-Wat Rakhang,Tha Chang-Wang Lang, Tha Phra ChanWang Lang, Tha Phra Chan-Rod Fai and Thai Phra Chan-Pin Klao. The four piers are Tha Chang, Wang Lang, Tha Phra Chan and Tha Phra Arthit.
       The company will offer four advertising packages costing between 70,000 and 90,000 baht per month to attract advertisers.
       "If we can sell 50% of the ad space to customers, we can break even within six months of operation. We hope we can earn 250-300 million baht per year.We now have one customer and three potential ones are in talks," said Mr Goh.
       Apart from the boat ad business, Autsawaarcha is interested in developing retail plazas near 10 boat piers owned by Chao Phraya Express Boat. The boat operator is now discussing with the Harbour Department a proposal to develop land near its piers, especially at Pak Kred, which is close to the new government centre on Chaeng Watthana Road and also draws heavy visitor traffic to the tourist island of Koh Kred.