The #Thai government have declared that wearing clothing featuring the logo of #alcohol manufacturers violates the ban on alcoholic beverage advertising.
Anybody caught apparently endorsing booze or cigarette brands can now expect to receive fines of up to HALF A MILLION BAHT.
Alcohol-related accidents have increased significantly in recent years. While the government makes 70 billion baht income per year from alcohol tax, the cost to the government is upwards of 150 billion baht.
The ban means that tourists and locals alike can no longer wear their old Chang T-Shirts without the risk of heavy fines.
Alcohol logos are currently not allowed to be displayed in sponsorship or any kind of advertising or promotion.
Promoting alcohol through social media, or even by word of mouth, is also illegal. Anybody endorsing booze products would be breaking the law and even an innocent picture of a bottle of beer shared on Facebook could lead to trouble.
No more selfies of your lunch with a bottle of Leo in the background then.
Be careful of the ice bucket on your beach table, with a couple of Changs in it, too.
The current law insists that all logos are removed or at least pixeled out.
The authorities are using an existing law, Section 32 of the Alcohol Control Act of 2008, to crack down.
It was introduced with the aim of reducing consumption. Until now it has been largely ignored by police.
Heavy Punishments
Foreigners violating the Alcohol Control Act of 2008 also risk a lifetime ban on entering the kingdom.
Fines range between 2,500 for non-cooperation with inspectors and a maximum of 500,000 baht for promoting and advertising alcohol illegally.
There are also punishments of up to six months in jail for various offences.
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