Thailand moves to lift alcohol ad ban
Thailand's House of Representatives has approved a new alcohol control bill that will allow advertising of alcoholic drinks.
The bill, which passed with strong support, aims to help small liquor producers and promote Thailand's "soft power."
The House voted 365 to 0 in favour of the bill, with three MPs abstaining. Another vote, 356 to 2, backed recommendations from a special committee that reviewed the law.
The bill will now go to the Senate for further discussion before it can become law.
This new law is set to replace Thailand’s 2008 Alcohol Control Act, which strictly regulated the sale and advertising of alcohol.
One of the key changes is the removal of Article 32, which banned alcohol advertisements. The House rejected an attempt to keep the ad ban and instead accepted a proposal from Pheu Thai MP Chanin Rungthanakiart to lift it.
According to local news reports, Chanin welcomed the vote and thanked MPs for their support. He argued that the advertising ban had caused problems for many people, including social media users who were fined for unintentionally showing alcohol brand logos.
He also said the law made it hard for small liquor producers to promote their products.
Supporters of the bill say lifting the ad ban will help local liquor businesses grow. They believe it will also boost Thailand’s image by promoting locally made drinks as part of its cultural identity.
For years, ThaiHealth, a public health group, has fought to keep strict rules on alcohol, arguing that easier access to alcohol could lead to serious health problems.
Many politicians were also afraid to challenge the ban due to concerns about promoting drinking, which goes against Buddhist teachings.
The new law is a result of a compromise between five different proposals, including ones from the government, political parties, and public health groups. The Senate will now review the bill before making a final decision.
