Beer garden operators play down row over alcohol ad laws

[rooster59]

Beer garden operators play down row over alcohol ad laws

BANGKOK: SEVERAL beer garden operators have declined to respond to the allegation that beer gardens violate the Alcohol Control Act - although they claim they sell more food than alcohol.

Beer gardens have been the target of a campaign to control alcohol advertising led by Dr Samarn Futrakul, director of the Alcohol Control Committee Office.

Samarn said the fourth quarter was the high season for the alcohol industry, as operators try to boost sales by opening beer gardens and using music marketing by sponsoring concerts and music festivals.

He claimed that these activities were in violation of Alcoholic Control Act.

The Nation asked beer garden operators in front of Central World in Bangkok to respond to the allegation but they would not, saying it was a sensitive issue. They did, however, say the law was unclear in regard to what they can and cannot do.

They also said that serving alcohol was secondary to serving food and patrons did not have to order alcohol.

Attractive waitresses who wear the uniforms of alcoholic drink companies are used at beer gardens, but merely to take orders and are not presenters of the companies, they said.

Dr Samarn will reportedly summon another 19 celebrities to state their case over the controversy stemming from stars posting images online of them with alcoholic beverages, allegedly in violation of the Alcoholic Control Act.

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Beer-garden-operators-play-down-row-over-alcohol-a-30272441.html

-- The Nation 2015-11-07

[anotheruser]

About time the government responds to and shuts down these illegal bastions of impropriety.

Edited November 7, 2015 by anotheruser

[WhizBang]

Beer gardens are one thing, but what about all the illegal bars that pop up at night along Sukhumvit and elsewhere? Why no action on those?

Thailand really needs to get it's priorities straight.

[ratcatcher]

About time the government responds to and shuts down these illegal bastions of impropriety.

I don't think there's anything improper about the beer garden at Central World.

If people, tired after a busy day shopping, wish to sit and enjoy a few beers , listening to the din of a massive traffic jam, whilst inhaling the delicate aroma of exhaust fumes, I see no reason to prevent it.

As for the post midnight street side stalls on Sukumvit, that is an important source of income for the local constabularies, and a meeting place for late night punters who need a last drink or three before heading home, plus the ladies running these small bars would be deprived of income.

Normal people should be tucked up in bed at that time of the night.

[Lupatria]

[Srikcir]

"they claim they sell more food than alcohol"

Please do better than that defense. Grocery stores and 7/11's surely sell more food than alcholic products. But they must comply with the Alcohol Control Act with no exceptions. Although I maintain they are as much in violation with the Act as are beer gardens.

[anon4546543]

My house is in a rural area, but not so far from Bankok. My neighbours, all upstanding and devout Buddhists drink alcohol. But in moderation. (Unlike me on occasions) The worry with most of the parents in my community is not alcohol but ya baa. So I urge the pious ministers of some open ended alcohol laws to concentrate more on the evil that is pervading the youth of Thailand, rather than alcohol laws.

[Broeno]

Just change the name. Garden of love. Problem solved.

[Maestro]

...they claim they sell more food than alcohol...

More in what way? In weight, in volume, in value, or in the number of persons sold to?

[Nobb]

The 160 baht unpaid bill comes out of some service staffs salary. They make 300 baht a day and lose 160 baht to some drunken bum that stuffs the bill in his back pocket and walks out? Who on here wouldn't be pissed if they lost over a half days pay in this manner? Especially if you live day to day on your daily pay. To steal from a poor working girl/boy is mighty low, I hope Australia isn't full of these types and if it is ... The guy needs a bit more than some low level slapping around, he should have been beaten for the length of time it takes for a service worker to earn 160 baht.

Come see me because you need a attitude adjustment. All this Thai abuser of the Australian man had to do is restrain him from leaving and call the police about this failure to pay. The police would come and make him pay and the little abuser not lose no bahts. Very peaceful solution but he afraid to call and wake up the police because they would beat his ass!

[Mudcrab]

I think people are confusing beer gardens of the permanent type with the short term promotional type that are used for advertising and sales marketing.

[Mudcrab]

The 160 baht unpaid bill comes out of some service staffs salary. They make 300 baht a day and lose 160 baht to some drunken bum that stuffs the bill in his back pocket and walks out? Who on here wouldn't be pissed if they lost over a half days pay in this manner? Especially if you live day to day on your daily pay. To steal from a poor working girl/boy is mighty low, I hope Australia isn't full of these types and if it is ... The guy needs a bit more than some low level slapping around, he should have been beaten for the length of time it takes for a service worker to earn 160 baht.

Come see me because you need a attitude adjustment. All this Thai abuser of the Australian man had to do is restrain him from leaving and call the police about this failure to pay. The police would come and make him pay and the little abuser not lose no bahts. Very peaceful solution but he afraid to call and wake up the police because they would beat his ass!

Wrong thread i suspect old mate.

[DrTuner]

Achsoooo, attractive waitresses, eh? So the next thing Samarn the pious is going to do is to pass a degree that only fuglies may serve beer.

[shirtless]

You would think Thailand has bigger issues than this, corruption, scams , robberies drugs, but no lets worry about alcohol adverts get a life losers.

[casualbiker]

"they claim they sell more food than alcohol"

Please do better than that defense. Grocery stores and 7/11's surely sell more food than alcholic products. But they must comply with the Alcohol Control Act with no exceptions. Although I maintain they are as much in violation with the Act as are beer gardens.

The act itself is a poorly written piece of garbage!

In reality if they hold every company to the letter of the ridiculous law then supermarkets wouldn't be able to display boxes with the name on it. Waitresses would need to tear off labels before handing over the beer bottle.. Plain coasters and bottle jackets etc!!!

[MyFriend You]

The 160 baht unpaid bill comes out of some service staffs salary. They make 300 baht a day and lose 160 baht to some drunken bum that stuffs the bill in his back pocket and walks out? Who on here wouldn't be pissed if they lost over a half days pay in this manner? Especially if you live day to day on your daily pay. To steal from a poor working girl/boy is mighty low, I hope Australia isn't full of these types and if it is ... The guy needs a bit more than some low level slapping around, he should have been beaten for the length of time it takes for a service worker to earn 160 baht.

Come see me because you need a attitude adjustment. All this Thai abuser of the Australian man had to do is restrain him from leaving and call the police about this failure to pay. The police would come and make him pay and the little abuser not lose no bahts. Very peaceful solution but he afraid to call and wake up the police because they would beat his ass!

Iamthere/Nobb...........are you guys posting in the wrong place?? color me Confused.

[Siammodels]

Oh Dear

Another spave cadet. Dr Samarn needs to be introduced to Mr Prayut for some attitude adjustment

Muzzle this clown

[spidermike007]

About time the government responds to and shuts down these illegal bastions of impropriety.

I don't think there's anything improper about the beer garden at Central World.

If people, tired after a busy day shopping, wish to sit and enjoy a few beers , listening to the din of a massive traffic jam, whilst inhaling the delicate aroma of exhaust fumes, I see no reason to prevent it.

As for the post midnight street side stalls on Sukumvit, that is an important source of income for the local constabularies, and a meeting place for late night punters who need a last drink or three before heading home, plus the ladies running these small bars would be deprived of income.

Normal people should be tucked up in bed at that time of the night.

Not only is there nothing improper, with that beer garden, it is downright delightful. Open air beer gardens with free concerts are a benefit to nearly everyone. The Dr. does not seem to get this. Maybe he has been indoctrinated in the US, the UK, or in Oz, where is it nearly illegal to have fun, and enjoying ones self, and leading a fulfilling life, is highly discouraged.

[DrTuner]

Not only is there nothing improper, with that beer garden, it is downright delightful. Open air beer gardens with free concerts are a benefit to nearly everyone. The Dr. does not seem to get this. Maybe he has been indoctrinated in the US, the UK, or in Oz, where is it nearly illegal to have fun, and enjoying ones self, and leading a fulfilling life, is highly discouraged.

My guess is he gets it very well and is hellbent to make everybody's life as miserable as his. These type of persons somehow manage to wiggle their way into positions they should not be let even near to.