Complaints filed over illegal alcohol ads

Chadet Chaowilai led a group of 30 people to submit a network survey to Deputy Public Health Minister Manit Nopamornbodi. The survey found local and foreign firms had violated the Alcohol Beverage Control Act.

Manit was asked to investigate and punish the companies involved.

A survey was conducted in October along four main roads in Bangkok: Ramkhamhaeng, Lat Phrao, KasetNawamin and Phaholyothin.

It found 90 restaurants located on these four main roads displayed pictures of alcohol bottles distributed by 10 companies, an alleged violation of the Alcohol Beverage Control Act.

Manit said he would accept the network's evidence and file criminal charges against the companies, as the law specifically prohibited advertising of alcoholic beverages or displaying pictures of alcohol bottles.

The ministry has already collected 400 pieces of evidence and expects to obtain more during the New Year's festivities.

He also instructed provincial publichealth chiefs across the country to keep an eye out for violations of the Alcohol Beverage Control Act.

Meanwhile, National Health Commission secretarygeneral Dr Amphon Jindawatthana said he would put forward the national alcohol policy, which was one of 11 health strategies endorsed this year by the National Health Assembly, for NHC consideration on Monday.

If the NHC, which is chaired by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, approves the policy, relevant agencies could implement it in a bid to control alcohol consumption.

In a related development, Amphon expressed support for Dr Samarn Futrakul, director of the Alcohol Beverage and Tobacco Consumption Control Committee, who is being sued by a local brewer.

Samarn ran into trouble after his office banned distribution of a racy calendar produced by Boon Rawd Brewery. His office has initiated many lawsuits against various alcohol companies for alleged violations of the Alcohol Beverage Control Act.

"I would like to thank everyone who supports me. Your support is very much appreciated," Samarn said.