Inclusion of a realised gain of Bt32.25 million net after taxes from machinery sold during the period, bad debt and allowance for doubtful debt of Bt3.66 million, allowance for obsolete stock of Bt1.63 million and compensation for early retirement of Bt1.99 million resulted in a net profit after extraordinary items of Bt10.68 million.

Revenues from sales and services decreased 8 per cent from last year's first quarter, the company said, due mainly to a 13-per-cent decrease in advertising revenues. Advertising from publishing dropped 20 per cent, while that from broadcasting increased 15 per cent. Circulation revenues dropped slightly from last year, because of a 12-per-cent decrease in newspaper income, while circulation revenues from pocketbooks, comic books and magazines increased 13 per cent. Services from printing, international-magazine representation and logistics increased 4 per cent, as well.

Operating costs and expenses for the first three months decreased 5 per cent from last year's first quarter, due primarily to a 15-per-cent drop in printing costs. A production-control policy resulted in a 14-per-cent drop in paper consumption. Moreover, production costs for the group's television operations fell 59 per cent along with a 7-per-cent decrease in transportation costs. However, promotion expenses increased 17 per cent, because of the "36 Years Nation" anniversary promotion, a gigantic event taking place around the country and which includes seminars and conferences, the company said. However, a separate financial statement reported a net loss of Bt12.9 million in the first three months, compared with a net profit of Bt13.59 million in the same period last year.