Anti-Alcohol network allege alcohol firms of breaking laws

The act bans all forms of alcohol advertising, with very limited exceptions like live broadcasts from abroad. Breaches of the ban in print, television, radio, digital and outdoor media carry a penalty of up to one year in jail, a maximum fine of Bt500,000 or both.

Centre for Alcohol Studies deputy director Juthaporn Kaewmungkhun

said, despite the new law and its penalties, the number of alcohol ads had increased in the past year.

She said some alcohol companies had also broken the ban on alcohol ads on broadcast media,which could encourage children to drink.

"According to a survey among 2,956 children across the country, advertising of alcohol products has influenced their perception of the products [by] four to eight times after seeing pictures of the products or even company logos," she said.

Alcohol Watch Network's manager Theera Watcharapranee complained alcohol companies and entertainment venues had adopted new tactics to lure buyers by combining pictures of nude women with the company logos to get around the Alcohol Control Act.

The study, conducted by the Alcohol Watch Network during February 12 - 16 in entertainment venues at Ramkhamhaeng, Lad Phrao and Kaset-Nawamin roads found 236 retail shops, restaurants and entertainment venues flouting the law regarding alcohol advertising.

Billboards of liquor bottles featured in 378 cases, while 131 cases showed other illustrations. Many used light boxes to advertise liquor products, followed by flags and banners.

Parichart Sathapitanont, from the alcohol watchdog network, said the government should strictly control advertising of alcohol products and arrest violators.

She also called for the establishment of a National Alcohol Policy Committee.

Parichart believed laws banning alcohol ads should be strictly enforced and alcohol ads should be banned on broadcast media around the clock.