Anti-booze activists petition against drink ads

Anti-booze activists petition against drink ads

Say signs violate the alcohol control law

Anti-alcohol activists, some dressed to look like road accident victims, stage a rally to raise public awareness about the dangers of drink driving at Victory Monument on July 15, 2019. (Photo by Patipat Janthong)
Anti-alcohol activists, some dressed to look like road accident victims, stage a rally to raise public awareness about the dangers of drink driving at Victory Monument on July 15, 2019. (Photo by Patipat Janthong)

A group of anti-alcohol activists on Thursday submitted a petition demanding that Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang take legal action against alcohol producers that publicly advertise alcoholic beverages, for being in violation of the alcohol control law.

More than 30 representatives from the Alcohol Watch Network and the Youth Network of New Face Drinker Prevention asked the governor, who chairs the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)'s alcohol control committee, to investigate and pursue legal action against the operators on the grounds that they are breaching the 2008 Alcohol Control Act. 

Sunthorn Sunthornchart, deputy director of the BMA's Health Department, accepted the petition on the governor's behalf.

Khamron Chudecha, a coordinator for the Alcohol Watch Network, said a survey conducted by the network has found big signs, billboards and light boxes advertising alcoholic drinks in front of several restaurants, pubs and bars, which is in violation of Section 32 of the law.

The section prohibits the advertisement of alcoholic drinks, brands and trademarks in a way that encourages consumption, either directly or indirectly. Offenders could face a maximum prison sentence of one year and/or a maximum fine of 500,000 baht.

Mr Khamron said the network and its allies had filed complaints against illegal alcohol advertisers before, and that court rulings had been issued to punish and fine several of those who broke the law.

He said authorities should also take action against alcohol producers and liquor importers who provide advertisements to operators of pubs and bars.

Mr Khamron said, however, that the Bangkok governor seems to attach little importance to the issue and that the BMA's alcohol control committee meets only once a year, which is not enough to keep up with the problem.

''The network has tried to bring the matter to the attention of the current Bangkok governor. But we have never met him. He only assigned those from a small BMA agency to accept our petitions. The BMA should take a proactive approach,'' Mr Khamron said.


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