20-12-2023 (SINGAPORE) After over a decade of providing alternative news coverage in Southeast Asia, including Singapore, Coconuts.co is set to cease operations on December 31, citing a lack of financial sustainability. Byron Perry, the founder and chairman of Coconut Media, made the announcement in a letter on the website on Tuesday (Dec 19).
Expressing a mix of pride, nostalgia, and sadness, Perry recounted the humble beginnings of Coconuts.co in Bangkok in 2011. At its peak, the website boasted millions of unique visitors per month, with journalists covering eight cities, including Bangkok, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Bali, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Singapore, and Yangon.
Covering a range of topics from news to lifestyle, culture, and travel, Coconuts.co gained recognition for its journalistic and entertainment contributions. However, Perry acknowledged that despite winning awards and recognition from major media companies, it did not translate into commercial success.
Similar challenges led to the closure of Coconuts.co’s Hong Kong office in March. The Hong Kong office faced “increasing journalistic and commercial challenges,” making regular publishing difficult.
In his letter, Perry expressed gratitude to the staff, past and present, for their dedication and contributions to making Coconuts.co great. He also thanked the readers and emphasized the core mission of informing and entertaining.
While the closure will affect the Singapore office and others, details about the number of affected workers are yet to be disclosed. Perry assured that Coconuts.co’s archives will remain accessible indefinitely.
Despite the cessation of Coconuts.co, Coconuts Media will continue its business operations. Other websites under its umbrella, such as BK Magazine and Soimilk, will persist, along with the in-house brand studio, Grove. BK Magazine focuses on lifestyle content related to the best places to eat and visit in Bangkok, while Soimilk is a Thai youth-focused website.
Perry concluded the letter on a hopeful note, expressing the desire to relaunch Coconuts.co “one day.”
