Easing Alcohol Ad Rules May Boost Small Producers in Thailand

[snoop1130]

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The Thai Alcohol Beverage Business Association (Tabba) believes that relaxing restrictions on alcohol advertising could benefit small-scale producers by providing greater marketing opportunities. Under Article 32 of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act (2008), advertising is severely limited, banning direct or indirect promotion and any display of alcohol brands or their benefits.

 

Following a proposal by Pheu Thai MP Chanin Rungtanakiat, the House has accepted a bill potentially easing these restrictions. This bill would allow alcohol advertisements to focus on factual information as defined by a ministerial regulation. Tabba Chairman Kawee Sakawee expressed optimism, hoping for clear guidance and compliance across the industry.

 

Kawee anticipates that ministerial regulations will specify permissible communication actions focused on factual content, such as description of origins and flavours, rather than promotional allurements. The proposed changes aim to give consumers greater access to product information, enhancing their purchasing decisions at points of sale.

 

 

 

If implemented, the new law would particularly benefit small producers by allowing them to more visibly promote their unique offerings, helping consumers appreciate differences between brands. Highlighting product characteristics more effectively could lead to increased consumer choice and market diversity.

 

With the bill having passed the lower House, it now awaits further approval from the Senate and needs royal endorsement to become law. While Tabba remains uncertain about the timeframe for these changes to take effect, they welcome the potential for growth and innovation this legislative adjustment could bring to the alcohol industry, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2025-03-25

 

 

[dinsdale]

I can't remember how many litres a year small producers need to produce in a year to be legit but I know it's huge. 100,000 litres springs to mind but that could be way off. Maybe 10,000 litres. Like I say I can't remember the number. Point is I'm certain that reducing this amount buy A LOT will help establish smaller producers and boutique breweries and IMHO is far more important than advertising. Being able to advertise would of course also be good.

[Tropicalevo]

4 hours ago, dinsdale said:

I can't remember how many litres a year small producers need to produce in a year to be legit but I know it's huge. 100,000 litres springs to mind but that could be way off. Maybe 10,000 litres. Like I say I can't remember the number. Point is I'm certain that reducing this amount buy A LOT will help establish smaller producers and boutique breweries and IMHO is far more important than advertising. Being able to advertise would of course also be good.

 

Parliament has passed a law to allow smaller breweries but it needs to appear in the Royal gazette for it to be finalised.

 

https://tpnnational.com/2025/03/12/thai-senate-approves-law-allowing-small-producers-to-make-all-alcohol-types/

[dinsdale]

42 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

 

Parliament has passed a law to allow smaller breweries but it needs to appear in the Royal gazette for it to be finalised.

 

https://tpnnational.com/2025/03/12/thai-senate-approves-law-allowing-small-producers-to-make-all-alcohol-types/

Cheers for the link. Jeez it was 30,000 litres a day to be licensed. I was way off. I do wonder if other hurdles will be put in the way of small producers so as to continue to protect the big producers.