A craft beer enthusiast in Thailand was fined 150,000 baht ($4,370) and given a suspended six-month prison sentence for violating a law on advertising alcoholic beverages by posting a photo and reviewing a beer on Facebook.
Artid Sivahansapha initially faced eight months in prison and a 200,000 baht fine, which was later reduced due to helpful testimony.
Thailand's 2008 Alcoholic Beverage Control Act prohibits the advertising or displaying of alcoholic beverage names or trademarks.
- Artid plans to appeal the conviction, aiming to change the law he believes is unfair to consumers and small entrepreneurs.
- Thailand tightly regulates the production, sale, and advertising of alcoholic drinks, with limited sales hours and strict bans on advertising across platforms.
- Critics argue that the regulations favor large established companies and wealthy business families, disadvantaging smaller operators.
- The Move Forward Party in Thailand suggests that advertising bans should only apply to business operators, allowing small operators to advertise with some restrictions.
The case highlights the strictness of Thailand's laws on alcohol advertising and the potential impact on individuals sharing their opinions about alcoholic beverages.
