Police will summon 24 celebrities for questioning following complaints they posted on social media their photos with alcoholic drinks.
Deputy police chief Pongsapapat Pongcharoen said police had received a complaint from the Consumer Protection Board Office (CPB) that 24 celebrities had posted photos of themselves drinking or showing Chang beer on social media, Thai media reported on Saturday.
"They might have violated Section 26 of the 2008 Alcoholic Beverages Control Act and face a jail term not more than one year or a fine not more than 1000,000 baht, or both," he said.
Member of the public who do so will face the same penalty as well, he said.
If text is added, they might violate Section 32 and could be punished by imprisonment not more than one year or a fine not more than 500,000 baht, or both.
Police have asked the CPB to give them more information for the prosecution, he said.
CPB chief Ampon Wongsiri said in the next step it will be established whether the brand owner was involved.
- Earlier report: Ministry vows swift action against celebrities
Thai laws ban advertising alcoholic drinks with product picture or logo aimed at attracting people to drink.
Kittisak Klabdee, secretary to the Public Health Minister, on Friday said the ministry was collecting evidence and investigating the Chang Beer company's website and Instagram accounts as well as those of the celebrities.
The move comes after the Network of Alcohol Marketing Strategy and the Youth Network on Friday gathered at the Health Ministry to submit a complaint letter and urged the ministry to take legal action against the beer company and celebrities.
Dr Kittisak said the celebrities were likely to face punishment even though the actors or celebrities denied being paid for the Instagram posts.
The photos posted online clearly featured bottles of Chang beer and the logo with a message encouraging people to drink, he said.