Young couple enjoying a drink on a date : stock image

Phuket health officials will only enforce alcohol promotion laws on a case-by-case basis. The Phuket Provincial Health Office (PPHO) confirmed that no action would be taken against bar and restaurant owners for showing images that promote alcohol unless complaints are made against the establishment.

The announcement comes after a Bangkok restaurant owner was allegedly ordered to pay 460,000 baht for violating the Alcohol Control Act of 2014. The owner of the establishment was found guilty of showing images that promoted alcohol for 220 days between July 30 and March 6.

PPHO Non-communicable Diseases director Dr. Prapa Nakara explains that by law, no photos of alcoholic drinks can be included on restaurant and bar menus. Prices and drink names are permitted, but promotions or photos that encourage drinking are prohibited.

Dr. Prapa did confirm that the PPHO will not take immediate legal action against Phuket establishments that violate this law. If the office receives a complaint of the illegal promotion of alcohol, PPHO will send officials to investigate the claim. If the offense is not serious, the venue may be advised to fix the problem. If the venue fails to resolve the issue, then charges will be pressed.

The PPHO has no plans to target any establishments and has now adopted a policy to take each instance on a case-by-case basis.

-- 2015-04-22

Seems rather arbitrary and open to all kinds of hanky panky...

We won't enforce the regulations unless someone (a competitor, perhaps) files a complaint.

There should be much more concern about those who go out onto the highways after they've had a good (non-advertised) drinking session.

You never see the figures of road fatalities in the tourist promotions. Can't imagine why.

TEA MONEY.

Him pumpoei. Dthaa Chineet big money 5555

Bars and restaurants owned by the right people will never have complaints lodged against them. I grow so weary of this blatant, transparent BULLsh*t!

Selective law enforcement ... yeah that sounds about the usual way to boost tea money earnings.

Target those who refuse to pay or target foreigners where a Thai business owner is losing out to the competition.

Stinks from the top down.

Seems rather arbitrary and open to all kinds of hanky panky...

We won't enforce the regulations unless someone (a competitor, perhaps) files a complaint.

More profitable that way (i.e., a stuffed envelope passing between hands)

"On a Case-by-Case Basis" - that would be a "case" of Johnnie Walker Black Lable to the police station. All sorted.

What ever happened to "Everyone is equal under the law".

Either enforce it or get rid of the stupid law.

Selective enforcement lead to corruption and blackmail.