Advertising expenditures in Thailand have dropped six percent to $764 million (Bt24.68 billion) in the first quarter of this year, due to the country’s ongoing political strife.

Figures from Nielsen (Thailand) published in the Bangkok Post revealed that

radio advertising revenues fell by 13 percent to $37 million (Bt1.2 billion), while newspaper ads dived 21 per cent to $91.9 million (Bt2.97 billion) from $108 million (Bt3.5 billion).

A media analyst blamed the country’s prolonged political crisis and volatile economy for the steep declines.

The research house found that only cinema ads showed growth – up 44 per cent to $53.5 million (Bt1.73 billion) from $37 million (Bt1.2 billion).

It is being predicted that the FIFA World Cup in June will not turn around media industry revenues as much as had been expected.