Proposal to Put Graphic Warning Labels on Alcohol in Thailand Leads to Strong Opposition

[snoop1130]

 

On February 28th, 2024, Mr. Taopiphop Limjittrakorn, a Move Forward Party MP, and relevant agencies received a letter from Mr. Charoen Charoenchai and representatives from the alcoholic beverage industry protesting against a draft announcement of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee regarding graphic packaging labels for alcoholic beverages.

 

Charoen expressed concern that the proposed labels, which mandate graphic health images like blackened livers, fatal car accidents, and dying patients and warning messages covering 30% to 50% of packaging surfaces, could have adverse effects on tourism. This would be similar to current rules on cigarette packaging in Thailand but would also apply to individual cans and bottles.

 

Charoen argued that such strict requirements could deter tourists, particularly those who enjoy nightlife and alcohol-related activities in Thailand. This, in turn, could potentially harm entertainment service providers in the tourism sector.

 

In response to the complaint, Taopiphop highlighted the importance of considering the impact on tourism, noting that Thailand relies heavily on its tourism industry for economic growth. He stated that stringent graphic packaging requirements could create a negative image of Thailand including hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues.

 

There were also concerns that luxury imported brands of alcohol, including fine wine, would be strongly against the labels for potentially hurting their brand image and could potentially stop selling their valued brands in Thailand.

 

By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

Full story: The Pattaya News 2024-02-28

 

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[OneMoreFarang]

How many people die each day in Thailand because of alcohol misuse?

 

In case that there are fewer than 50 alcohol related deaths per day, then I propose we should have warnings on motorcycles and cars and maybe heads for pedestrians with warnings. Maybe a couple of pictures of dead people at each zebra crossing?

I am sure our politicians will have some bright idea how to remind the people of this problem. 

[stoner]

17 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

How many people die each day in Thailand because of alcohol misuse?

 

In case that there are fewer than 50 alcohol related deaths per day, then I propose we should have warnings on motorcycles and cars and maybe heads for pedestrians with warnings. Maybe a couple of pictures of dead people at each zebra crossing?

I am sure our politicians will have some bright idea how to remind the people of this problem. 

ya last night i heard a pcx got all kinds of loaded went home and kicked the crap out of his click wife. 

[NONG CHOK]

Maybe normal alcoholic beverages don't really need the suggested lablelling. An easy fix would be to totally ban Lao Kaow, it's the reason that people up north die on the roads. Just give it a try and see how it affects you.

[Baht Simpson]

Craft beer will be o.k. They just need to bring out an Old Liver Rot IPA with a blackened liver already on the can. 🙂 

 

It's so preposterous. There's so much good they could do to get people to cut down on alcohol but they just love their restrictive and prohibitive measures.

[Muhendis]

9 hours ago, stoner said:

ya last night i heard a pcx got all kinds of loaded went home and kicked the crap out of his click wife. 

Translation required

[hotchilli]

11 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Charoen expressed concern that the proposed labels, which mandate graphic health images like blackened livers, fatal car accidents, and dying patients and warning messages covering 30% to 50% of packaging surfaces, could have adverse effects on tourism.

BS....

[The Old Bull]

11 hours ago, NONG CHOK said:

Maybe normal alcoholic beverages don't really need the suggested lablelling. An easy fix would be to totally ban Lao Kaow, it's the reason that people up north die on the roads. Just give it a try and see how it affects you.

Drank lots of Lao Kaow with the locals no problem. It's usually accompanied by lots of food. It's fairly pure so you do not get much of a hangover. As for putting labels, most of what people consume can cause problems if you consume too much even water.

[cdemundo]

11 hours ago, Baht Simpson said:

Craft beer will be o.k. They just need to bring out an Old Liver Rot IPA with a blackened liver already on the can. 🙂 

 

It's so preposterous. There's so much good they could do to get people to cut down on alcohol but they just love their restrictive and prohibitive measures.

" they just love their restrictive and prohibitive measures."

Maybe "they" do but this suggestion (whether a good idea or not) is neither restrictive or prohibitive.

It's intended to discourage alcohol use by information as far as i can see.

 

My question would be: have the graphic pictures on cigarette packages decreased the sale of cigarettes?

A quick search on this topic comes back with a lot of articles and a resounding "meh".

No clear indication that warning labels decreased cigarette use, I doubt these labels would be effective.

[Andre0720]

I saw something on this topic somewhere...

Oh yes.....

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”

[Scouse123]

Why don't they just allow the people of the country to live and let live.

 

Why the need to feel they must interfere at every juncture?

 

They don't allow the country to mature and grow up.

 

It is micro-managing people's lives while ignoring the elephant in the room, rampant corruption, cronyism in government, out-of-control road deaths due to laws not enforced, and a police force not fit for purpose. etc

[brommers]

I have drunk alcohol all my life and nothing is going to change my behaviour. Young people have brains and some education and are quite capable of making informed decisions, so these so-called scare labels bring nothing to the debate on the use of alcohol. Drawing parallels with cigarettes is erroneous because tobacco smoke was a problem for many who objected to passive smoking, my drinking affects no-one but me. The problem of alcohol related driving accidents is more a pedestrian issue than a driver one and scare labels will not address the inherent irresponsibility of the population. So get your nanny state out of my hair and spend time on educating children on social responsibility.

[zyphodb]

12 hours ago, NONG CHOK said:

Maybe normal alcoholic beverages don't really need the suggested lablelling. An easy fix would be to totally ban Lao Kaow, it's the reason that people up north die on the roads. Just give it a try and see how it affects you.

 

The reason Lao khow is so cheap is to stop the Thai villagers making their own, which probably kills even more people...

[Burma Bill]

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

regarding graphic packaging labels for alcoholic beverages.

 

 

Just imagine labels like this - 

 

 

on a bottle of this - 

 

 

The Hi So's will not be pleased - I am sure!

[n00dle]

What does it matter? We are desensitized to graphic content by our excessive media consumption, and everybody already knows that too much booze kills.

 

It will just become a source of comedy, like the cigarette warnings that had men buying the pack that warned against potential harm to a fetus, saying I can't get pregnant so these can't harm me. 

 

Nobody gives a <deleted>, and it won't affect sales either way. Either you are inclined to drink or you are not. Stickers don't change minds, education does. Booze is already on the out, current generations drink far less than previous, if at all.      

[n00dle]

2 hours ago, brommers said:

my drinking affects no-one but me

Say it real loud, maybe it will become true.

 

2 hours ago, brommers said:

The problem of alcohol related driving accidents is more a pedestrian issue than a driver one

it would seem you are drunk now.

[natway09]

Putting aside drunk driving which is a Thai social issue almost impossible to fix without a Government & RTP interest & investment to do so,

the Lao Khao issue on health grounds is massive.

The <deleted>e is just pure white spirits distilled from unwanted rice,(& possibly other fermenting rotten fruit or veg)

the worst type of alcohol to consume