Anti-alcohol Network Allege Alcohol Firms Of Breaking Laws

[george]

Anti-Alcohol network allege alcohol firms of breaking laws

BANGKOK: -- The Alcohol Watch Network has accused a list of leading alcohol firms, including a major beer company, of flouting advertising regulations under the Alcohol Control Act, which came into effect a year ago.

The act bans all forms of alcohol advertising, with very limited exceptions like live broadcasts from abroad. Breaches of the ban in print, television, radio, digital and outdoor media carry a penalty of up to one year in jail, a maximum fine of Bt500,000 or both.

Centre for Alcohol Studies deputy director Juthaporn Kaewmungkhun said, despite the new law and its penalties, the number of alcohol ads had increased in the past year.

She said some alcohol companies had also broken the ban on alcohol ads on broadcast media,which could encourage children to drink.

"According to a survey among 2,956 children across the country, advertising of alcohol products has influenced their perception of the products [by] four to eight times after seeing pictures of the products or even company logos," she said.

Alcohol Watch Network's manager Theera Watcharapranee complained alcohol companies and entertainment venues had adopted new tactics to lure buyers by combining pictures of nud_e women with the company logos to get around the Alcohol Control Act.

The study, conducted by the Alcohol Watch Network during February 12 - 16 in entertainment venues at Ramkhamhaeng, Lad Phrao and Kaset-Nawamin roads found 236 retail shops, restaurants and entertainment venues flouting the law regarding alcohol advertising.

Billboards of liquor bottles featured in 378 cases, while 131 cases showed other illustrations. Many used light boxes to advertise liquor products, followed by flags and banners.

Parichart Sathapitanont, from the alcohol watchdog network, said the government should strictly control advertising of alcohol products and arrest violators.

She also called for the establishment of a National Alcohol Policy Committee.

Parichart believed laws banning alcohol ads should be strictly enforced and alcohol ads should be banned on broadcast media around the clock.

-- The Nation 2009-02-23

[FatherF]

She needs to get out more!

FF

[TPI]

She needs to get out more!

FF

She's got a point...just check out the fathers and uncles any night of the week and brothers when they can con some money out of mum and granny....below THB20,000 a month most men are P**s heads. Everyone complains about the LOS but when a positive action comes along...some "wood duck" has a bright comment???

[bkkjames]

She can start by going after Chang who advertises it's products (beer, not water) on the bts platforms 18 hours a day - everyday.

Edited February 24, 2009 by bkkjames

[FatherF]

She's got a point...just check out the fathers and uncles any night of the week and brothers when they can con some money out of mum and granny....below THB20,000 a month most men are P**s heads. Everyone complains about the LOS but when a positive action comes along...some "wood duck" has a bright comment???

So, why then are the Thai government (TAT) actively encouraging people to drink, by advertising & advocating the new "Siam Sunrays" Cocktail? maybe they will have to arrest themselves? "Wood Duck"? does your mummy know you are awake?

FF