In tough times, radio station 98.5 FM aims to bring good cheer with a change of name and format

Three years after attempting to seduce young urban professionals with jazz, radio station Breeze FM 98.5 is broadening its scope with a new name - 98.5 Good FM - and a new concept - putting city folk in a good mood.

"Jazz is too much of a niche market," says Sarun Jayapani, marketing director of Lucks Radio. "Our new format is easy-listening Thai and international music from the 1970s to today.

"We want to expand our fan base and, with the ever increasing competition in the radio circle, we're emphasising variety, content and presentation," Sarun says.

"Thai people are feeling down as a result of the political and economic situation and we'd like to play a role in making them feel better," adds executive music consultant Chatchawan Pukahuta.

Good FM is a joint venture between the 24-hour radio station and music company, Lucks 66, led by Keattisak Udomnark, aka Sena Hoy. DJs will present Thai and international hits, classic pop and jazz numbers along with '80s disco. The programming targets working people aged between 25 and 40.

"Our content is different each day. We start with 'Morning Show', with different topics everyday and several activities, offer more stirring music in the afternoon and return to easy-listening at night," says Sarun.