Draft Alcohol Rules Worry Thailand’s Craft Beer Industry

Proposed Alcohol Regulations Raise Concerns Among Thailand’s Craft Beer Industry

Thailand’s craft beer industry is raising concerns over proposed secondary regulations under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, which remain in draft form and were scheduled for public consultation on September 9. The proposals could require health warnings to occupy at least one-third of advertising space while restricting product names and logos to as little as 3% to 5% of the available area. According to the Craft Beer Business Association’s interpretation, images of bottles, cans and other alcohol packaging could be prohibited, while prices and product information would face additional restrictions if considered promotional. Industry representatives worry the rules could complicate menus, Facebook and Line posts, beer festivals, taproom displays and even items such as glasses, signs, kegs and staff clothing, with uncertainty also surrounding which licensed venues would qualify for exemptions. Association president Supapong Pruenglamphu described the proposed controls as excessive and said the organisation plans to oppose them, although the final regulations have not yet been decided.