Thailand Given Two-week Ultimatum On Johnnie Walker Classic

[george]

Thailand given two-week ultimatum on Johnnie Walker Classic

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's new interim government, which plans to ban alcohol advertising next month, has been given two weeks to decide whether it will allow Johnnie Walker to use its logo and brand to promote a major golf tournament in Phuket next year.

Riche Monde, the Thai distributors of Johnnie Walker Scotch whisky, has pressed the government to make its decision soon, or face losing the 15-year-old tournament to either South Korea or South Africa.

"We are still waiting for the government to respond, and the Johnnie Walker Classic organising committee has given Riche Monde two weeks to let them know whether we will proceed with holding the tournament in Thailand," the company said in an email interview with Reuters.

Local media said Johnnie Walker had already invested around $2.7 million in the tournament, which is due to be held at the Blue Canyon resort in Phuket from March 1-4.

That sum included appearance fees for top players such as Ernie Els and Adam Scott, who would be allowed to pull out of the event if the venue was switched, the reports said.

HUGE LOSSES

Thailand's new military-backed government plans to ban alcohol advertising in all forms of media from Dec. 1 in a bid to curb underage drinking and slash domestic alcohol consumption, which has tripled in the last 14 years.

The country's culture ministry is also considering restrictions on alcohol promotions in public areas by scantily-clad "pretties", many of whom use their income to pay for their university education.

The proposed measures are likely to have a major impact on the Kingdom's sports tournaments, which rely heavily on corporate sponsorship from major liquor brands.

Riche Monde said that alcohol companies backing major events might think twice about hosting them in Thailand, which would also lead to huge losses in tourism revenue.

"Given the calibre of the event, the change in location would be noticed worldwide among the sports community," the company said.

"Alcohol companies that are major sponsors of international sporting events will have to reconsider holding them in Thailand if they can't use their names in conjunction with the event."

Riche Monde said Johnnie Walker had also agreed to promote Phuket as a high-end golf and spa destination to help rebuild the holiday island's battered tourism industry following the 2004 tsunami.

--Reuters 2006-11-10

[Steph1012]

Thats it on Reuters!!

One thing Thailand has always done well, is corporate events. Shame its the one thing they don't want to do.

Beer, girls, music, fun. Thats what people want, and Thailand is the world leader, truly the Hub of Asia by a mile. One thing tourists do when they are drinking is loosen the purse strings, go mad, hit up the credit card and worry about it when they get back to their country.

For sure its going to cost em and its gonna cost em big.

Then old square head'll be back to save the day and we'll never get shot of him.

Edited November 10, 2006 by Steph1012

[helicoptor]

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's new interim government, which plans to ban alcohol advertising next month, has been given two weeks to decide whether it will allow Johnnie Walker to use its logo and brand to promote a major golf tournament in Phuket next year.

NO CHANCE they will ban the logo - too much THB at stake!

[PhilHarries]

mai pen rai = I don't care.

The Thais don't care about this or any other alchohol sponsored event. The government came up with this ban under pressure from a small band of activists and now they can't be seen to back down. They would rather lose millions of Baht, lose the prestige of hosting a world rank event, lose the place in the sporting calender than back down and lose face.

Thailand's loss is Korea/S. Africa's gain and they will learn that Thailand is NOT unforgettable.

[Oleg_Rus]

As a leader of revolution is muslim, than most likely all things will happen for sure. ban on booz, girls, and other considered indecent things.

I think its cool

[womble]

mai pen rai = I don't care.

The Thais don't care about this or any other alchohol sponsored event. The government came up with this ban under pressure from a small band of activists and now they can't be seen to back down. They would rather lose millions of Baht, lose the prestige of hosting a world rank event, lose the place in the sporting calender than back down and lose face.

Thailand's loss is Korea/S. Africa's gain and they will learn that Thailand is NOT unforgettable.

By loosing the tournament they also lose face, but worldwide, not just locally.

[PhilHarries]

By loosing the tournament they also lose face, but worldwide, not just locally.

Quite correct but, in this instance, the people losing face are not the ones making the call. Either that or they really don't care which, in some respects, is more worrying.

[Berty]

Thailand must be in the market for a new hammer and some more nails. That Coffin must be getting close to well and truely closed now!!

[Steph1012]

As a leader of revolution is muslim, than most likely all things will happen for sure. ban on booz, girls, and other considered indecent things.

I think its cool

All opinions welcome on Thai Visa.

Heres the one from those fun loving Muslims.

You forgot the ban on music, TV, dancing, women drivers, sport and American expressions like "I think it's cool" Better chop your tongue out for that one mate.

Such fun! how time must fly in the Muslim world. Wait till the oil runs out though, then its back to the stoneage for the lot of em.

Edited November 11, 2006 by Steph1012

[Spenthouse]

i bet it's going to reapper dressed as the chang classic soon!