The Thai Alcohol Beverage Business Association (TABBA) is calling on the government to revise Section 32 of the Alcohol Control Act, which they believe imposes excessively strict restrictions on alcohol advertising.
On Friday, TABBA, in collaboration with the Craft Beer Association, hosted a seminar titled “32 Civilised, No More Total Ban: Reforming Alcohol Control Laws for a Better Society” to outline the changes they advocate.
TABBA Chairwoman Khemika Rattanakun emphasized that the proposed reforms focus on maintaining social responsibility and protecting minors from easy access to alcohol, a concern supported by ongoing studies on underage drinking. She endorsed a recommendation from the Thailand Development Research Institute to amend Section 32, permitting alcohol advertising within well-defined limits.
She proposed increasing the penalties for selling alcohol to minors beyond the current one-year jail term and/or a fine of up to 20,000 baht, pointing out that violations of advertising rules can result in even harsher punishments.
Section 32 currently prohibits any advertisement of alcoholic beverages that directly or indirectly promotes their consumption or displays the product or its packaging. All advertisements must include health warning messages.
The law has been interpreted very broadly, covering any depiction of alcoholic beverages, including product labels in news stories.
In March, the cabinet approved a new draft of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act that aims to impose even stricter advertising restrictions.
Under the existing rules, violations can lead to a prison term of up to one year and/or a fine of up to 500,000 baht.
TABBA’s secretary-general, Prapavee Hematat, argued that the law’s ambiguity results in overly broad interpretations by authorities, leading to severe penalties that are disproportionate to the offenses. He also noted that the law limits consumer access to information, creates barriers for small businesses, and promotes monopolies, negatively impacting small entrepreneurs and community-based producers.
Food and beverage technology expert Charoen Charoenchai supported Prapavee’s view, stating that the current penalties are excessive, as even sharing academic information about alcohol can lead to legal action and significant fines.
