Social media users warned after company fined 50k THB sharing beer photos on Facebook

[webfact]

Social media users warned after company fined 50k THB sharing beer photos on Facebook

 

Image: Siam Rath

 

A popular fan page on Facebook that talks about issues related to beer has warned the public that even posting a picture of a beer or a glass of wine you are having with your meal could be construed as advertising and promoting alcohol. Even if that alcohol was bought perfectly legally.

 

Even if you have such pictures on your Facebook page going back years you could be prosecuted.

 

Even the suggestion that beer, wine or spirits might TASTE a certain way could result in a fine of AT LEAST 50,000 baht.

 

It could also be illegal, for example, to suggest while living in Thailand that you might like to go and enjoy a beer at the Oktoberfest in Germany, notes Thaivisa based on information given in a Siam Rath report.

 

Fines could even go up to half a million in severe cases, that is up to the authorities.

 

Demands for payment will be sent to your home and then it's a question of pay up or try your luck in court. No one has done that so far said the admin of Beervana Thailand who received a 50,000 baht fine through the mail in May.

 

They published the receipt from the public health ministry stamped by the alcohol control section. 

 

This all relates to draconian regulations about advertising alcohol in any way whatsoever according to Article 32 (2018). 

 

Among some of the things that you could be fined 50,000 to 500,000 baht for are:

 

* Showing an alcohol brand name or any packaging

* Identifying a beer bottle even if it was empty

* Inviting others to enjoy an alcoholic beverage

* Suggesting that beer or other alcohol has a certain nice taste or any taste

* Inviting others to try alcohol in any way

* Posting an empty glass with a logo

* Suggesting (while living in Thailand) that people could fly to another destination where they COULD get a beer

* Any pictures of beer or alcohol of any kind in Thailand whatsoever

 

And Beervana also claimed that it wouldn't matter if your posts were old - you could still face huge fines and it would be up to the discretion of an official as to how much. 

 

Thaivisa suggests that posters who have done so now or in the past might start deleting. 

 

We also note that large companies like the Leo and Singha brands that advertise on television do so by promoting their soda or plain water.

 

Their familiar logos are visible but there is no mention of beer and it appears even the inference that most reasonably minded people would accept is not enough for the large companies to be prosecuted under the 2018 law. 

 

Be warned. 

 

Source: Siam Rath

 

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2020-06-08

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

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[webfact]

Anti-alcohol organisations debunk rumour of Bt50,000 fine for posting beer photos or using the word “beer” online

By THE NATION

 

Chuwit Jantharot

 

The Prevention Network against Alcohol has debunked a rumour circulating on social media that anyone can be fined Bt50,000 for posting pictures of beer or using the word “beer” online.

 

“The rumour clearly intends to cause public panic and undermine the work of the Office of the Alcohol Control Committee, the Department of Disease Control and the Public Health Ministry,” said Chuwit Jantharot, a coordinator at the network. “The rumour also distorts the intention of the Alcohol Control Act BE 2551, which aims to protect people’s health and reduce new drinkers. It has sparked misunderstanding and hatred among people towards the law.”

 

Chuwit said that during the Covid-19 crisis, there had been evidence of alcoholic beverage producers trying to promote their products via online channels, with tie-in advertising to boost sales.

 

“Alcoholic beverages are a factor that worsens the Covid-19 situation,” he said. “Drinkers will have lowered immunity against the virus while drinking itself promotes public gathering, which increases the risk of the virus spreading, as we can see from a cluster of cases generated from bars and pubs in Bangkok.”

 

Kamron Chudecha

 

Alcohol Watch Network coordinator Kamron Chudecha said that posting the word “beer” or displaying photos of beer containers (bottles, glasses, mugs or cans) in which the brand cannot be made out is not in violation of the alcohol-control law.

 

“The law only aims to prevent the advertising of alcoholic beverages on media platforms,” he added. “If the poster has no commercial intention, he/she cannot be fined.”

 

Kamron added that “commercial intention” includes promoting the beverage’s characteristics (taste, effects) and persuading the public – either directly or indirectly – to drink.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30389225

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-06-08

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

[Dmaxdan]

If my Thai Facebook friends are anything to go by, then they will be seriously busy prosecuting an awful lot of people. 

 

[madmitch]

37 minutes ago, webfact said:

Thaivisa suggests that posters who have done so now or in the past might start deleting. 

I think Il risk it! I might even post this just for the hell of it

 

 

Edit: just seen an update on Twitter https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30389225

Edited June 8, 2020 by madmitch

[tifino]

this maybe fosters a bitter taste for many! 

[JonnyF]

It's getting ridiculous how COVID-19 is being used as an excuse to ban everything that the pretend Puritans who stole power in 2014 don't like.

[Misterwhisper]

Honestly, this anti-alcohol drive is getting increasingly irrational and ridiculous.

Edited June 8, 2020 by Misterwhisper

[WineOh]

I am reading this as I am polishing off my first glass of lager of the day.

 

Will be happy to send pics if anyone wants to see me in action,

don't grass me up to the feds tho, yeh? ????

 

 

[ChipButty]

This is not a new law it's been around for a while a couple of years ago some movie star got fined for posting a beer photo on FB

[VocalNeal]

My ultra Buddhist wife says it is an Islamic plot. 

[lopburi3]

So why is this four letter word still allowed on the forum?  Seems logical we should add it to the banned list to avoid any possible issues for members.

 

edit:  Now see a more recent post from Nation saying it is all a mistake.  Geez Louise.

Edited June 8, 2020 by lopburi3

[ChipButty]

13 minutes ago, lopburi3 said:

So why is this four letter word still allowed on the forum?  Seems logical we should add it to the banned list to avoid any possible issues for members.

 

edit:  Now see a more recent post from Nation saying it is all a mistake.  Geez Louise.

Ive just deleted all my photo's from FB

[norfolkandchance]

39 minutes ago, tifino said:

this maybe fosters a bitter taste for many! 

You’re OK with that one. It’s Non Alcoholic.

[CrunchWrapSupreme]

57 minutes ago, webfact said:

We also note that large companies like the Leo and Singha brands that advertise on television do so by promoting their soda or plain water.

Even these have been pulled, my wife and I were just noticing. We haven't seen the Leo "Pala, pala, pala!" or the Chang singing about seeing your friends everyday adverts, in quite some time.

 

Filling the void, there has been a noticeable deluge of Miss Baifern Pimchanok extolling the virtues of some new "FUZ FIZ, FUZ FIZ, FUZ FIZ" candy.

[Susco]

21 minutes ago, Liverpoolfan said:

I am reading this as I am polishing off my first glass of lager of the day.

 

Will be happy to send pics if anyone wants to see me in action,

don't grass me up to the feds tho, yeh? ????

 

 

 

Please post the pics, though there is a dedicated sub forum for it.

 

It's called the I drink too much forum

https://forum.thaivisa.com/forum/98-i-drink-too-much-forum/

[JCP108]

This is not an Onion article?

[OneeyedJohn]

I forsee another 20 page thread forming.

[holy cow cm]

Sorry not taking a chance in the day and age. We all know how false smiles and it wasn't me and smoke and mirrors work here. My latest vacation pics a few months ago on FB just deleted. Not worth it with the land of phony smiles.

[dinsdale]

55 minutes ago, webfact said:

“Alcoholic beverages are a factor that worsens the Covid-19 situation,” he said. “Drinkers will have lowered immunity against the virus

Rubbish. Pure and simple and if you're drinking that much to lower your immunity then take supplements.

 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

drinking itself promotes public gathering

So does eating.

Complete and utter brainless empty headed fools.

[JCP108]

Don't mention garlic in your social media posts, either. Somtam is okay, I think. 

[ezzra]

1 hour ago, madmitch said:

I think Il risk it! I might even post this just for the hell of it

 

 

Edit: just seen an update on Twitter https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30389225

This kind of audacity behavior my friend could get the firing squad and not even blind folded...

[ThailandRyan]

And as always when I read news like this it seems like its a Dark day for my Beer Lao, but then a large pretzel would really help it just all go down swimmingly.

[Bluespunk]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

A popular fan page on Facebook that talks about issues related to beer has warned the public that even posting a picture of a beer or a glass of wine you are having with your meal could be construed as advertising and promoting alcohol. Even if that alcohol was bought perfectly legally.

 

Even if you have such pictures on your Facebook page going back years you could be prosecuted.

 

Even the suggestion that beer, wine or spirits might TASTE a certain way could result in a fine of AT LEAST 50,000 baht.

 

It could also be illegal, for example, to suggest while living in Thailand that you might like to go and enjoy a beer at the Oktoberfest in Germany, notes Thaivisa based on information given in a Siam Rath report.

Every day in every way I grow to realise the world is stupid

[sammieuk1]

Smirnoff???? 

[smedly]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Anti-alcohol organisations

why do they even exist - do they not realise how futile and stupid they are 

 

I'd give them more respect for taking up trainspotting 

[smedly]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

* Showing an alcohol brand name or any packaging

* Identifying a beer bottle even if it was empty

* Inviting others to enjoy an alcoholic beverage

* Suggesting that beer or other alcohol has a certain nice taste or any taste

* Inviting others to try alcohol in any way

* Posting an empty glass with a logo

* Suggesting (while living in Thailand) that people could fly to another destination where they COULD get a beer

* Any pictures of beer or alcohol of any kind in Thailand whatsoever

stupidity beyond belief 

[smedly]

There are non alcoholic beers - hope they can tell the difference from a photo

 

Do these people get payed tax payers money - quite a big chunk of it comes from the sale of alcohol and Cigarettes - oh the irony 

[connda]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Anti-alcohol organisations debunk rumour of Bt50,000 fine for posting beer photos or using the word “beer” online

By THE NATION

 

Chuwit Jantharot

 

The Prevention Network against Alcohol has debunked a rumour circulating on social media that anyone can be fined Bt50,000 for posting pictures of beer or using the word “beer” online.

 

“The rumour clearly intends to cause public panic and undermine the work of the Office of the Alcohol Control Committee, the Department of Disease Control and the Public Health Ministry,” said Chuwit Jantharot, a coordinator at the network. “The rumour also distorts the intention of the Alcohol Control Act BE 2551, which aims to protect people’s health and reduce new drinkers. It has sparked misunderstanding and hatred among people towards the law.”

 

Chuwit said that during the Covid-19 crisis, there had been evidence of alcoholic beverage producers trying to promote their products via online channels, with tie-in advertising to boost sales.

 

“Alcoholic beverages are a factor that worsens the Covid-19 situation,” he said. “Drinkers will have lowered immunity against the virus while drinking itself promotes public gathering, which increases the risk of the virus spreading, as we can see from a cluster of cases generated from bars and pubs in Bangkok.”

 

Kamron Chudecha

 

Alcohol Watch Network coordinator Kamron Chudecha said that posting the word “beer” or displaying photos of beer containers (bottles, glasses, mugs or cans) in which the brand cannot be made out is not in violation of the alcohol-control law.

 

“The law only aims to prevent the advertising of alcoholic beverages on media platforms,” he added. “If the poster has no commercial intention, he/she cannot be fined.”

 

Kamron added that “commercial intention” includes promoting the beverage’s characteristics (taste, effects) and persuading the public – either directly or indirectly – to drink.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30389225

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-06-08

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Perhaps they should fine publishers 50k THB for publishing "Fake News" in the first place? 

[toofarnorth]

2 hours ago, tifino said:

this maybe fosters a bitter taste for many! 

Yes a bit of a rum do all round .

[trainman34014]

Is it ok to say most Thai made B++R tastes like P++S ?