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PussyLover 69
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Report from Bangkok Post dated Wednesday 29 December 2006 :-
Problems mount for alcohol ad ban - Health ministry turns to the PRD for help
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The Public Health Ministry has lost its appeal for a total ban on liquor advertisements, forcing it to turn to the Public Relations Department (PRD) for recourse. The Council of State yesterday upheld its opinion against the Food and Drug Administration's proposed ban on alcohol advertisements, a health ministry source said.
The government's legal advisory arm said it disagreed with some legal points contained in the proposed ban, the source said.
The source said the Council of State handed down its opinion on Dec 25 and a letter of explanation would be sent to the Public Health Ministry next week.
However, the ministry has already taken extra steps by asking the PRD to ban advertisements for alcohol around the clock on television and radio stations under the department's umbrella.
The measure will go before the cabinet on Jan 9.
The FDA had planned to enforce the ban from Dec 3, but the Council of State concluded that the agency did not have the authority to implement it.
The FDA postponed the ban for 30 days while it lodged an appeal against the Council of State's decision.
Public Health Minister Mongkol na Songkhla said the ministry asked the council to review its legal interpretation purely for the sake of consumer health.
It wants to control alcohol advertising in a bid to cut excessive alcohol consumption, especially among new drinkers and youth in particular.
The ministry said it had no ulterior motive to intimidate alcoholic beverage manufacturers or advertising agencies.
Dr Mongkol said the ministry had expected the Council of State to uphold its finding against the FDA's ban.
He said the National Committee on Alcohol Consumption Control yesterday agreed that it would resort to other measures instead, by asking the PRD to impose a ban on liquor advertisements on its television and radio stations around the clock.
The department's current alcohol advertising ban is effective from 5am to 10pm. Dr Mongkol said liquor manufacturers were likely to put up fierce resistance to the ban, which would drive down sales of alcohol.
But he insisted he would press on with alcohol consumption controls to curb the number of new drinkers and cut accidents caused by drunk driving.
Dr Mongkol said passage of the Alcohol Control Bill was needed to enforce a ban on alcohol advertising in the print media.
Narong Sahamethapat, deputy director-general of the Department of Disease Control, said the national alcohol consumption control committee would submit a package of measures to the cabinet on Jan 9.
Apart from the advertising ban which seeks help from the PRD, the measures would include tax hikes for all kinds of liquor including local rice whisky, and the printing of graphic health warnings on liquor bottles.
The Anti-Alcohol Network said it was disappointed the Council of State had upheld its ruling against the ban. The network said it would rally in protest against the agency today.
Kamron Chudecha, coordinator of the Stop New-Drinkers Group, said the decision was upsetting.
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Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 10:59 pm on Dec. 28, 2006
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PussyLover 69
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Report from Bangkok Post dated Wednesday 17 Januaryr 2007 :-
Major liquor firms suggest voluntary ad guidelines
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An alliance of major alcohol producers and importers yesterday released recommendations for voluntary advertising guidelines, to reduce young people's exposure to alcohol promotions. The alliance comprises Bacardi (Thailand) Ltd, Riche Monde (Bangkok) Ltd, Pernod Ricard (Thailand) Ltd, Thai Asia Pacific Brewery Ltd and Siam Winery Trading Plus Ltd.
The concept of voluntary guidelines was introduced in November as the government began a push for a total ban on the advertising of alcoholic beverages.
A statement issued by the liquor industry alliance said the guidelines committee assessed each communications channel using the AC Nielsen Media Index _ which covers TV, radio, newspapers and magazines _ to determine the percentage of young viewers for various programmes and media categories, and the media ratings of the Culture Ministry and the Public Relations Department.
They set a benchmark that there should be no alcohol advertising if 25% or more of the audience of a particular programme or media category were aged below 20 years.
The 25% figure was an international benchmark used in many markets worldwide by alcohol producers.
The liquor industry committee would review the AC Nielsen data every six months to ensure that programmes and media categories remain above this benchmark, the statement said.
For marketing channels where AC Nielsen data was not available, the committee evaluated how underage consumers could be exposed to alcohol advertising and then identified ways to eliminate or reduce this exposure.
For television advertising, the biggest medium, the guidelines suggest no advertising for alcoholic beverages during Thai drama series after 10pm, because the AC Nielsen Media Index reports that more than 25% of the viewers of these series are underage.
It also suggests there would be no alcohol advertising at any time on stations for which more than 25% of listeners are underage consumers.
For the print media, it recommends an end to liquor advertising in entertainment publications, as the rating agency reports that more than 25% of readers in this category are also underage consumers.
Advertisers should send only socially positive messages with no consumer promotions and ensure there is always the legal warning equal to 20% of the ad space as required by law.
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Bangkok Women : Meet Sensual Bangkok Women
Posted on: 10:06 pm on Jan. 16, 2007
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PussyLover 69
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Report from Bangkok Post dated Wednesday 14 March 2007 :-
Bill raises drinking age to 20
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The cabinet yesterday approved a draft Alcohol Control Bill which imposes a total ban on liquor advertising, except those which appear in live programmes from overseas. The bill, which now goes to the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), also raises the minimum age at which people can buy alcoholic beverages from 18 to 20 years.
It includes a round-the-clock ban on liquor advertising on all media, instead of the current 5am to 10pm.
Government spokesman Yongyuth Mayalap said it would apply to all forms of advertising, including the display of names and logos of alcoholic beverages in the media, at theatres, shows and social functions.
Public Health Minister Mongkol na Songkhla said the bill specifies sites where alcohol consumption and sales are prohibited, such as religious places, schools, government offices and petrol stations.
Mr Yongyuth said Finance Minister Chalongphob Sussangkarn had warned the ban may violate the rights of businesses, and that designating alcohol-free zones may breach people's rights. His comments would also be sent to the NLA.
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Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 11:30 pm on Mar. 13, 2007
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PussyLover 69
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Report from Bangkok Post dated Wednesday 14 March 2007 :-
Cabinet endorses alcohol-ad ban - Producers say their views were ignored
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Alcoholic-beverage producers, entertainment operators and media companies remain frustrated by the government's refusal to accept arguments that a 24-hour blanket ban on ads is not the way to curb the problems of alcohol abuse and drunk-driving in Thailand. The Public Health Ministry yesterday won cabinet endorsement of its draft on liquor-consumption control. It would likely set the minimum age for new drinkers at 20 and impose an around-the-clock ban on ads, except for commercials that come with foreign sports programmes.
Public Health Minister Mongkol na Songkhla said a committee would be set up to consider zoning for pubs and restaurants that sell alcoholic beverages so that they won't be found near schools, universities, hospitals and temples.
The draft will go to the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) for final approval.
Late last year, the ministry failed to have the Food and Drug Administration issue a similar promotional ban after the Council of State ruled that the agency had no mandate to control alcohol advertisements in the media.
The advertising industry earlier said the ad ban would cost the industry two billion baht annually. Beer sales are expected to shrink by 5% to 10% next year while the 400-million-baht Thai wine industry would be hurt as well.
Brewers have maintained that the draft is unfair and would favour low-priced white spirits. Beer producers also argue that the excise tax structure further benefits low-cost spirits, resulting in greater alcohol consumption, particularly in the provinces and among low-income groups.
In their view, white liquor should share most of the blame for alcohol-related accidents nationwide.
Prin Malakul, corporate affairs director for Thai Asia Pacific Brewery Co (TAPB), the producer of Heineken, said the private sector had tried hard to explain to the government that legal measures were not the answer as long as the government did not address the problem at its root.
''Authorities would be better off strengthening the enforcement of existing regulations on the sales and consumption of alcohol. Also, authorities need to do more to educate the public about the dangers of excessive drinking,'' said Mr Prin.
He said the government had ignored the private sector's attempts to offer a broader perspective on the impact to the industry and various proposed solutions.
Mr Prin agreed with Chatchai Wiratyosin, Singha's marketing manager, who insisted that the blanket ad ban would trigger a price war among alcohol makers for lack of any other means to compete. Under such a circumstance, product quality will be compromised and consumers will be the ultimate losers.
''Singha will not be the first to jump into the price war. But [the producers of] white spirits will and they will drag in small and medium-sized operators,'' said Mr Chatchai.
Regarding the unfair tax structure of alcoholic beverages, Mr Chatchai said no state officials had dared touch the problem. Those who tried would find themselves transferred to other jobs, he noted.
Visooth Lohitnavy, president of the Thai Wine Association, also was disappointed.
''I'm so fed up with this. I won't join the conference [to be held today] on the new alcohol-consumption law because the ministry won't listen to us,'' said Mr Visooth, who also is the CEO of Gramonte Co, a local wine producer.
He said earlier that the strict measures would hurt not only the 400-million-baht Thai wine industry, but also the emerging agricultural-tourism industry, which focuses on vineyards. Twelve hundred farmers would also be hurt, he claimed.
Chaipranin Visudhipol, a former president of the Advertising Association of Thailand, hopes the NLA will understand that the problem has more to do with poor law enforcement than anything else.
''A total ad ban cannot reduce consumption. White liquor accounts for 80% to total alcohol sales although it has never been advertised,'' he said.
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Sexy Bangkok Girls
Posted on: 11:39 pm on Mar. 13, 2007
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PussyLover 69
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Report from Bangkok Post dated Sunday 8 April 2007 :-
Stiffer price to be paid for drunk driving - Foundation suggests night in jail to sleep it off
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Tougher penalties are being sought to deter drunk driving and are likely to go into force by year-end, said Probation Department director-general Wanchai Rujanawong.
He said the proposed amendments raise jail terms for drunk drivers to one year from three months and fines to 20,000 baht from 10,000 baht.
He said motorists take the drunk driving regulations for granted and many tend to repeat the offence because minor punishments are imposed.
The amendments to the Land Traffic Act call for other measures, including suspension of driving licences and up to 40 hours of community service.
He said the number of community service hours would depend on the alcohol level in an offender's blood.
He said juvenile offenders would face the same penalties, but they would be tried in Juvenile and Family Court.
Mr Wanchai said the draft bill has received the full backing of authorities concerned and is pending consideration in the Council of State.
He said the draft will see quick passage when it is forwarded to the National Legislative Assembly.
"The new rules will not be enforced by Songkran, but they will when the New Year arrives," Mr Wanchai said, referring to the time when drunk driving is blamed for high numbers of road deaths.
The stiffer penalties have been hailed by the Don't Drive Drunk Foundation.
Taejing Siripanich, the foundation's secretary-general, said the existing rules have failed to deter people from abusing alcohol and then driving.
He suggested "detention in prison" as a deterrent to drunk driving, saying that drunk driving would drop sharply if that measure was adopted.
"Drunk motorists should be put in jail if their blood-alcohol level exceeds the legal limit. This is to reduce the chance of accidents and give them time to get sober," he said.
Under existing regulations, a person is legally drunk if his or her blood contains 150 milligrammes or more of alcohol per 100 millilitres.
"A night in prison will teach them a lesson. I think it would reduce drunk driving by more than half," he said.
Dr Taejing also said authorities concerned may want to consider taking action against the passengers of impaired motorists. In certain countries, passengers are fined for taking a ride with a drunk driver.
He also called for corporate responsibility from alcohol producers, saying they should chip in and set up a fund for victims of drunk driving or help police by regulating drunk driving.
Pol Col Rithi Wisetkhamin, traffic inspector of Sutthisarn police station, welcomed the tougher penalties, but said the parties concerned should take the fight against drunk driving to another level. "I think we need to go beyond drunk driving. People who booze should never be allowed to get behind the wheel," he said.
He said the anti-drunk driving campaign was effective in cutting the number of road accidents, deaths and injuries since it was introduced years ago.
He cited as proof a sharp decrease in accidents along Ratchadapisek road, the city's night entertainment strip. Before the campaign, crashes were reported almost every night.
Meanwhile, FM 91 Traffic Pro, a traffic radio station, yesterday reported 82 accidents in and around the city in which four people were killed and 64 others injured.
Pre-Songkran casualties are likely to pressure authorities concerned into doubling efforts to curb road accidents when the long holiday starts later this week.
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Thai Women : Meet Matured Thai Women
Posted on: 6:38 am on April 8, 2007
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PussyLover 69
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Report from The Nation dated Saturday 28 April 2007 :-
Alcohol Act Amendments - Hospitality reps meet with panel
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Damage to tourism and existing investments cited as concerns
Booze-purveyors and related businesses, including hotels and restaurants, yesterday raised their concerns and made suggestions at their first meeting with the National Legislative Assembly committee vetting the alcohol-control bill.
Chanin Donavanik, president of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), said the alcohol-control law, which prohibits the sale of alcohol products within 200 metres of schools, would clobber the tourism industry, especially hotels, restaurants and bars.
"We want a clear framework for this law. It should not give too much power to the committee or the minister," he said.
Almost 4,000 hotels have huge investments at stake, so they do not want to see uncertainty in regulations or one group given unbridled power to control the industry, he said.
Sampan Panpat, honorary adviser to the association, said the liquor ban around schools had soured the mood in the tourism industry. "Foreign tourists don't understand why such a ban was imposed, and this will hurt the industry," he said.
However, he said he was relieved to learn from the alcohol-bill committee that it would not draft any laws that would have an impact on the tourism industry and related businesses.
Tourism and service industries are important and generate major earnings for the country. Last year, 13.82 million tourists visited Thailand, an increase of 20 per cent on 2005, while 79.33 million Thais took local tours. Tourism revenues increased 23.1 per cent to Bt8.6 billion.
This year the Tourism Authority of Thailand has targeted 14.8 million tourist arrivals, 81.99 million local outings and Bt9.25 billion in tourism revenues.
Pavornwan Koonmongkol, president of the Thai Restaurant Association, said the ban on liquor advertising would extend to advertising materials in restaurants such as the bottle coasters bearing logos of the maker. Liquor companies have long provided such materials to restaurants free of charge to promote their products.
The materials could no longer be used, which means the restaurants would have to dish out their own money to buy coasters and other materials. The total damage to them is estimated at Bt5 billion.
Pavornwan urged the government to allow people in the business to take part in the bill's development.
Vorathep Rangchaikul, president of Diageo Moet Hennessy (Thailand), the importer and distributor of alcoholic drinks such as Johnnie Walker Scotch whisky, welcomed the rare opportunity to touch bases directly with law- and policy-makers.
"We are quite impressed by having the chance to meet and share our concerns and experiences with the authorities for the first time. As business operators, we want to provide them with practices after doing almost 30 years in the alcohol business in Thailand. We also have information from almost 180 countries around the world relating to alcohol control and regulation," said.
Vorathep said that from his company's perspective the alcohol legal framework needed to cover three major goals: stopping drinking by youths, protecting against accidents and dangers from irresponsible drinking and encouraging cooperation among all players involved in production, distribution and services.
He said the proposed alcohol control law focused on controlling the marketing and advertising of alcoholic beverages without concern for existing problems in the industry, particularly the domination of local white liquors and blended spirits. These local brews have almost 70 per cent of the overall alcohol market. They enjoy dramatic growth every year without needing any advertising, just cheaper prices.
"The new proposed alcohol-control regulation, which focuses on a total ban of alcohol advertising, will encourage a price war in the market. Many quality products will be replaced with cheap ones. All related industries, such as hotels and restaurants, will suffer from the decline in travellers to the country," he said.
All the sports and music businesses here would be traumatised, as they would lose the support and sponsorship of alcohol companies, he said. Most international games and concerts would disappear from Thailand. All small and medium-sized makers of signs and advertising materials would be hit severely by the new act.
"What we have suggested to the NLA committee today is to utilise the existing regulations on alcohol advertising. A joint committee, with members from the public sector, business and advertising, will be formed to directly review and screen all advertisements submitted by alcohol firms," he said.
The existing ordinance forbidding alcohol sales at all retail outlets during the daytime from 2pm to 5pm and at night from 1am to 5am was impractical and limited the individual right of travellers and shift workers to purchase alcohol products, he said.
"We would like to suggest the authorities lift the afternoon ban all around the country since it will not reduce alcohol consumption by students, as intended by the government. The ban during the period has also limited the right of foreign tourists to buy liquor at hotels.
For such tourist destinations such as Phuket and Samui, the ban on the night-time period should be more relaxed by changing it to between 2am and 5am from the existing 1am to 5am," said Vorathep.
He added that the authorities should not prevent alcohol firms from conducting promotional activities such as temporary price reductions and giving premiums and said the strict controls proposed would force them into permanent price-promotion activities.
The Advertising Association of Thailand is rebuffing claims that the industry now supports the proposed Alcohol Beverage Control Bill. The claims were made in a statement from a spokesman for the NLA committee which is currently reviewing the draft legislation.
Association president Witawat Jayapani stressed on Tuesday that the bill would be effective only when a specific tax, levied on a litre-of-pure-alcohol basis, was applied. At present the tax measure is ambiguous, and the proposed advertising restrictions could actually increase the number of alcohol-drinkers.
The advertising industry in Thailand is still opposed to the draft bill as it denies producers and distributors an opportunity to build brand awareness and reputation. Due to the brand awareness, alcohol companies can set higher prices on specific products, and this limits consumers to higher income groups, thus excluding younger groups, he said.
Witawat believes that restrictions on alcohol advertising in Thailand without applying tax-control measures would open the door to cheap, less reputable foreign brands seeking to gain a market share through lower pricing, such as beer made in China.
"This would undermine our common goal of protecting young people through education and programmes that emphasise the importance of social responsibility in our society," he said.
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Bangkok Women : Meet Beautiful Thai Girls
Posted on: 1:52 am on April 28, 2007
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brewsterbudgen
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I find it astonishing that while alcohol ads are banned on adult's TV it would appear to be quite acceptable for Singha Beer to sponsor the children's dance festival currently being held in Benjasiri Park!
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 3:48 am on April 29, 2007
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Mel Gibson
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Brewster,, you think that is amazing ROFLMAO,, how about a pedophile group seeking election to the Netherlands government,, now that is FREAKY!!!!!!!!!!
In discust
mel.
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Thai Girls : Meet Active Thai Girls
Posted on: 4:21 am on April 29, 2007
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Sarge
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Brewster,, you think that is amazing ROFLMAO,, how about a pedophile Australian labour minister seeking election to the NSW state,, now that is even FREAKIER!!!!!!!!!!
Milton Orkopoulos
In disgust
sarge.
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Thai Women : Meet Matured Thai Women
Posted on: 5:49 am on April 29, 2007
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Mel Gibson
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Worse than that,, do you realise Margaret Thatcher was Female??????????????
She was certainly more masculine than most Pom's I've met.
Regards
Mel.
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 6:05 am on April 29, 2007
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