Liquor Firms Face More Advertising Lawsuits

Liquor firms face more advertising lawsuits
* Published: 13/01/2010 at 12:00 AM

The Public Health Ministry is planning further legal action against companies promoting liquor sales for violating the alcohol control law.About 150 complaints regarding illegal advertising signs at beer gardens, restaurants and music festivals sponsored by beer brands would soon be filed with the police, the director of the Alcohol and Tobacco Control Office (ATCO), Samarn Futrakul, said yesterday.One of the complaints involves the "Chang In Love @ Pai" concert held last month. Thai Beverage, producer of Chang beer, was the major sponsor of the event. The complaints are being brought under Section 32 of the 2008 Alcohol Beverage Control Act, which prohibits the advertising of alcoholic drinks, their brands and trademarks in a way that encourages consumption.

The Central Administrative Court's recent dismissal of a charge brought against the ATCO's alcohol beverage office by a brewery had boosted the authorities' confidence in stepping up legal action against  alcohol control law violators, Dr Samarn said.Boon Rawd Brewery, producer of Singha and Leo beer, petitioned the court on Dec 21 to revoke the office's ban on alcohol advertising and pay 7.63 million baht in compensation for damage caused by its announcement.The lawsuit came shortly after the brewery released Leo beer's semi-nude calendar for 2010, which prompted the ATCO to take legal action against it for allegedly breaching the alcohol ad ban.The court threw out the case on Dec 29, saying it was not under its jurisdiction as the ATCO announcement was just a clarification of Section 32 of the 2008 Alcohol Beverage Control Act, not an administrative order.

"The court decision shows that I did not do anything beyond the realm of my responsibility and that I can continue doing my job," Dr Samarn said.

Boon Rawd earlier faced 39 complaints involving Singha beer, 11 involving Leo and one involving Asahi. Thai Beverage Plc, the Chang beer brewer, faces 14 complaints for breaching the ban on alcohol advertising and promotions.The police have so far taken action on about five cases while the National Police Office's consumer protection division was still working on the rest, Dr Samarn said.

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