Thai National Marathon supporting alcohol control legislation

Report by Areekul Kung Puangsuwan of theThai Health Foundation

At the end of 2006, The StopDrink Network and its partners from various sectors in Thailand tried to push forward a regulation against alcohol, a total ban on alcohol advertisements on television, radio, billboards and in published media through the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Unfortunately, the regulation was not approved because of a ruling by the Council of State (the government’s legal advisory body). The Council claimed that FDA had no mandate to control alcohol ads in the media and such a ban should come from the Office of Consumer Protection which is empowered to limit the advertisement of any product causing social, cultural or moral harm.Contacting this Office, theAlliance found that such a ban would only cover locally-brewed alcohol and that local alcohol manufacturers were already highly influential. Therefore, the Network turned its whole effort to another approach, the alcohol control bill,which includes a total ban on alcohol ads.

The draft legislation to control alcohol beverages, with the objective of protecting the Thai population from the harmful use of alcohol, will cover several areas including health protection and marketing controls, areas never before covered by Thai law. At the present time, the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) has considered this draft legislation and has approved the draft in principle upon its first consideration. A 31- member ad hoc panel was set up to scrutinize the draft legislation ahead of the second reading in about two months time.

If it becomes law, this legislation will:

• raise the minimum age for buying alcohol from 18 to 20 years of age,

• impose a total ban on alcohol advertising including limits at drinking and selling points,

• restrict sales outlets, retailer hours, marketing activities and drinking points,

• fund rehabilitation for those suffering the effects of alcohol abuse, and

• require warning labels on alcoholic drinks.

Even though the law will protect people from the harmful use of alcohol, there is great opposition from interest groups who will be affected by the new law. They are lobbying hard to water down the bill, particularly the provisions banning alcohol advertisement. They claim that the ban on advertising will not solve or reduce social problems arising from alcohol consumption and it would be better if authorities cracked down on cheap, strong liquor, as such drinks lead to social problems. They maintain the bill will affect only expensive drinks that rely on advertising.

Because of strong opposition, on 2nd March 2007, a health advocacy group began campaigning to collect signatures from members of the public who support the draft legislation. The goal of the activity was to get at least 8 million signatures from all over the country to present to the Prime Minister and the President of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) at Sanam Luang (Great Royal Lawn), Bangkok, on 18 March 2007.

National Marathon Supporting Demand for Legislation
Quickly, an anti-alcohol network of 246 organizations formed and arranged a National Marathon. The activity was inspired by a 1987 marathon which collected 6 million signatures supporting anti-smoking legislation protecting the rights of non-smokers. In early March, campaign supporters started running from 4 different parts of Thailand; in the north from Chiang Rai, in the south from Naratiwat, in the northeast from Nongkai and in the east from Trad, to finish in Bangkok.

Along the way, campaigners explained to the local people why the alcohol control legislation is necessary for Thai society. They then asked them to sign and support the alcohol control petition. Many people enthusiastically supported this effort. Despite civil unrest in southern provinces like Pattanee and Naratiwat because of terrorism, the activists were not dissuaded and completed their mission despite the dangers involved.

While passing through each province, the marathon runners were welcomed with many activities created to encourage them. Religious leaders and monks blessed and prayed for them. Furthermore, governors and high ranking officials delivered welcome remarks and saluted them. On 11 March in Petchaburee, the Prime Minister, Surayud Chulanont, added his name to the rapidly growing petition. The activists were very encouraged that the Prime Minister signed the petition because it showed that he recognized the importance of the issue and wanted to keep alcoholic beverages away from adolescents.

Finally, on 18 March, the campaigners from all 4 areas were together at Sanam Luang and presented about 13 million signatures to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Social Development and Human Security (SDHS) to encourage the government and NLA to adopt the draft alcohol control legislation for its effective enforcement before the traditional Thai NewYear Festival (13-15April). In addition, they passed a letter from the GlobalAlcohol PolicyAlliance (GAPA) supporting the alcohol control bill to Minister Paiboon (SDHS).

Minister Paiboon said he believed that the NLA would welcome public input on the bill and pass it, while alcohol business groups should ponder the many positive effects the new alcohol provisions would have for Thai society.