The International New York Times says it will cease printing and distributing its print edition in Thailand at the end of the year, attributing the decision to the rising cost of operating in the Southeast Asian country.
The newspaper, known until 2013 as the International Herald Tribune, announced the move in a letter to subscribers. It was confirmed Thursday in an email from Charlotte Gordon, its vice president for international marketing.
Ms Gordon said the print edition will still be available in six other Southeast Asian nations: Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Myanmar.
Thailand's military government has sought to clamp down on critical media coverage. Asked if the political climate played a part in the decision to cease publication in Thailand, Ms Gordon said the newspaper had no comment beyond what was included in the letter to subscribers.
"This was not an easy decision to come to but, regrettably, we have had to make it because of the rising cost in the operation of our Thailand business," the letter to subscribers said. It added that the decision "was made easier by the growing demand for and adoption of our various digital products in the country."
The Times' top executives in New York last month reiterated the newspaper's strategy to rely increasingly on digital subscriptions.
Ms Gordon was not able to immediately supply circulation or online readership figures for Thailand.
The newspaper's printers in Bangkok refused to print its Sept 22 edition, which carried a front-page story about the monarchy. In an email to subscribers at the time, the Times said the action was the decision solely of the printer, which deemed the article "too sensitive to print".
The government has not shut down any major publications, but has succeeded in imposing self-censorship on most of them. Journalists have been detained for short periods for questioning and what the military calls "attitude adjustment". It has issued temporary suspensions for several satellite TV broadcasters, and monitors the Internet closely.
Ms Gordon said the newspaper continues to be printed at 35 locations worldwide, including 14 in Asia.