Health Ministry promises to probe beer advertisements in social media

BANGKOK: -- The Public Health Ministry has promised to investigate health activists’ allegation that major breweries have used celebrities to advertise their beer in the social media.

The promised action from the ministry was in response to the demand of health activist groups whose representatives rallied at the Ministry of Public Health on Friday with their demand for action against the breweries in question.

Mr Thirapat Kahawong, a coordinator of the network of youths to prevent new drinkers, said that the use of celebrities as presenters of their beers constituted advertisements in disguise to stimulate sale which goes against the ministerial regulation regarding advertisements of alcoholic drinks.

He pointed out that the disguised advertisements appeared in the social media, Instagram in particular.

Mr Kamron Chudecha, a coordinator of another health group, pointed out that the way the images which were posted on the social media were shot which clearly show the beer were intended for marketing purpose.

Pakorn “Dome” Lam and six other celebrities, including Waranchaya Chindararakwong and Virithipa Pakdeeprasong appeared on Chang’s website to promote the beer’s new bottle colour.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/health-ministry-promises-to-probe-beer-advertisements-in-social-media

-- Thai PBS 2015-10-09

What a horrible bunch of sanctimonious <deleted>

While on one level it might be seen as 'wowsers' being sanctimonious, on another it goes right to the heart of corruption in Thailand ...these DYKWIA types believe they are untouchable and can engage in any sly, duplicitous, sleazy false advertising and promotion with impunity. They are the same shameless lot who promote and endorse each other's bars, restaurants, music , film, TV shows in the name of 'review' whereas in reality it is just unpaid advertising.

Their dishonesty has no limits.

Social media has bypassed normal controlled advertising methods.

So the laws need to be changed, but what does that have to do with the health ministry,

other than appearing to care to justify their positions and waste tax money in the process?

This is an area where the ICT could actually do something other than try to think of another name for a single gateway.

While on one level it might be seen as 'wowsers' being sanctimonious, on another it goes right to the heart of corruption in Thailand ...these DYKWIA types believe they are untouchable and can engage in any sly, duplicitous, sleazy false advertising and promotion with impunity. They are the same shameless lot who promote and endorse each other's bars, restaurants, music , film, TV shows in the name of 'review' whereas in reality it is just unpaid advertising.

Their dishonesty has no limits.

"heart of corruption" really?

Over stating just a fraction there, its probably not currently illegal, unlike actual corruption, and how you decide

who is holding what in a social media picture it is a huge gray area.

Lets not forget that this has been a constant battle in other countries as they try to keep up with new tricks highly paid advertising companies come up with.

Thailand is trying to keep up, but it takes "wowser groups" to point out the issues.

A troll post has been removed and another post edited for vulgar comment.

I drank a couple Changs this evening. Am I allowed to say that here?

While on one level it might be seen as 'wowsers' being sanctimonious, on another it goes right to the heart of corruption in Thailand ...these DYKWIA types believe they are untouchable and can engage in any sly, duplicitous, sleazy false advertising and promotion with impunity. They are the same shameless lot who promote and endorse each other's bars, restaurants, music , film, TV shows in the name of 'review' whereas in reality it is just unpaid advertising.

Their dishonesty has no limits.

yeah, but is doesn't come out of the blue. They do only what everybody does and did. It seems to me a lack of education. But this concerns all society in Thailand.

I drank a couple Changs this evening. Am I allowed to say that here?

Are you a paid celebrity? If so, report to the army for appetite adjustment.

OMG...the dreaded Social Media Beer Commercial...this will surely corrupt the pure Thai saints that we all know and love...

In Thailand there is a creeping anti alcohol campaign underpinned by a certain religious group similar but different to the Christian puritans in the USA who shaped the drugs and Alcohol laws including the disastrous prohibition. This current campaign against social media advertising is as as silly as the laws limiting alcohol sales in shops in Thailand. My somewhat verbose, circumlocutory comment replaces the censored comment that dared to link a certain religion with intolerance of alcohol.

News today is saying these celebrities could be fined up to 500,000 baht with one year in jail.

I guess we all need to rethink posting photos on Facebook with a beer in site. We could be breaking the law and not even know it.....