Thailand May Lose Golf Tournament Because Of Alcohol Ad Ban

[george]

Thailand may lose golf tournament because of alcohol ad ban

BANGKOK: -- Thailand could lose the chance to host next year's Johnnie Walker Classic golf tournament after the new government banned alcohol advertisements, the brand's local importer said Tuesday.

Riche Monde (Bangkok), local distributor of Johnnie Walker Scotch whisky, said the decision to let Thailand host the three-day event in on the Phuket was under review because of the government's ban on alcohol ads.

"The Thai unit hoped the golf tournament would bring tourists back to Phuket, but now our headquarters is rethinking as we cannot put advertisements on the event," said Wimonwan Udomphorn, vice president of Riche Monde (Bangkok).

"It means Thailand might lose a chance to host the tournament and it would be shifted to other countries," she told Agence France Presse. China and South Korea, which lost out to Thailand in previous nominations, could host the event.

"The golf tournament will be held in March, and we are still waiting for a clear decision from the government about the ad ban," said Wimonwan.

Under new regulations endorsed last week, Thai government will ban alcohol advertisements from television, newspapers and billboards from mid-December.

The new rules also require warning labels on bottles of alcoholic beverages to alert consumers to potential risks of drinking.

The health ministry estimates that the ban could result in annual losses of 2.5 billion baht (66 million dollars) to the advertising business but say the ban is needed to curb underage drinking.

--The Nation 2006-10-24

[englishoak]

They will bend the rules.... you watch...... Reason will be it WILL affect the rich Thai set....

[opothai]

They will bend the rules.... you watch...... Reason will be it WILL affect the rich Thai set....

a ban is a ban is a ban

or will they implement the ban in phases, with johnny walker last to get the total ban

you gotta love los.

i hope they do lose it, then maybe next time they will look before leaping

[Khutan]

They did a similar thing in Australia with the cigarette advertising. When i turned out they my lose the Grand Prix, certain sporting events were grnted an exemption.

[John K]

They did a similar thing in Australia with the cigarette advertising. When i turned out they my lose the Grand Prix, certain sporting events were grnted an exemption.

Who ever heard of double standards in Thailand....

[Maestro]

The new rules also require warning labels on bottles of alcoholic beverages to alert consumers to potential risks of drinking.

What I have never been able to understand is why – not only in Thailand but world-wide – they have strict food-labelling laws requiring a complete list of all ingredients on the label, except for alcoholic beverages and tobacco products.

---------------

Maestro

[The Skipper]

Chivas Regal is a big sponser of the Elephant Polo Tournament.

Cancel that too I suppose?

[sabaijai]

Chivas Regal is a big sponser of the Elephant Polo Tournament.

Cancel that too I suppose?

In the recent elephant polo event up in Chiang Saen, Chivas Regal almost pulled out because they weren't allowed to advertise during the event.

[Jai Dee]

Thai alcohol headache

Drinks giant Diageo is continuing talks with the Thai government in a bid to prevent moving next year's Johnnie Walker Classic from Thailand.

Thai media had reported that the US$4.3 million ($6.8m) co-sanctioned Asian and European Tour event, from 1-4 March, would move from Phuket's Blue Canyon resort to South Korea after their military-backed government banned alcohol advertising.

But Diageo, owners of the Johnnie Walker brand, said: ''No decision has been taken to move the Johnnie Walker Classic from Thailand. Diageo is continuing talks with the Thai authorities to resolve issues surrounding the recently announced restrictions on advertising.'

Thailand will ban alcohol advertising from 5 Dec in a bid to curb underage drinking.

Domestic alcohol consumption has tripled in the last 14 years, with some 19 million Thais, nearly 30 per cent of the population, drinking regularly.

The new interim government has considered raising the minimum age for buying alcohol from 18 to 25.

Source: Reuters - 25 October 2006

[Pattaya_Fox]

Thailand may lose golf tournament because of alcohol ad ban

BANGKOK: -- Thailand could lose the chance to host next year's Johnnie Walker Classic golf tournament after the new government banned alcohol advertisements, the brand's local importer said Tuesday.

I suppost that the organisers will be drowning their sorrows in the 19th hole.