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Articles
New Regulatory Standards for Alcoholic Beverage Packaging and Warning Labels in Thailand
The Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee (“Committee”) has introduced new requirements for the packaging and warning labels of alcoholic beverages produced or imported into Thailand. These regulations, as outlined in the Announcement of the Alcohol Control Committee on Criteria, Procedures and Conditions for the Packaging and Warning Statements of Alcoholic Beverages Produced or Imported, B.E. 2567 (2024) (“Announcement”), were published in the Royal Gazette on 8 November 2024, and came into effect as of the following day.
By virtue of Section 26 of the Alcohol Control Act B.E. 2551 (2008), the Committee has established specific rules for packaging and labeling which appear to enhance consumer protection and promote public awareness of alcohol-related risks. The key provisions of the Announcement are summarized as follows:
1. Packaging Standards
- Packaging, in the form of the containers of alcoholic beverages produced or imported for sale in Thailand, must hold a minimum volume of 175 milliliters per container.
- "Containers" include bottles, cans, jars or any other types of containers used to store alcoholic beverages.
2. Mandatory Warning Labels
- Alcoholic beverage packaging, including containers or wrapping, must display the following warning statements in Thai:
- “The sale of alcohol to any person under 20 years of age is prohibited.”
- “Consuming alcohol impairs the ability of a person to drive vehicles.”
- “Persons under 20 years of age should not consume alcohol.”
- The warning statements must adhere to specific design requirements, as follows:
- Must be displayed in bold Thai script with a minimum font height of 5 millimeters.
- Must be encased within a separate frame, in clear contrast to the packaging background, in order to aid visibility.
Exemptions
The requirements do not apply to the following:
- Alcoholic beverages imported as product samples or not intended for sale.
- Alcoholic beverages of individuals entitled to privileges, such as those under obligations that Thailand has with the United Nations, international law or agreements.
- Alcoholic beverages produced or imported solely for export.
Penalties
Failure to comply with the above requirements under Section 26 of the Alcohol Control Act B.E. 2551 (2008) may result in penalties, including imprisonment of up to one year, a fine of up to THB 100,000, or both.
Practical Implication
These regulations demonstrate Thailand’s commitment to aligning alcohol control measures with public health priorities. By emphasizing clear labeling and packaging standards, the Announcement seeks to improve consumer awareness and minimize the risks associated with alcohol consumption. Producers and importers are advised to review their compliance with these new standards promptly in order to avoid potential penalties.
This is intended merely to provide a regulatory overview and not to be comprehensive, nor to provide legal advice. Should you have any questions on this or on other areas of law, please do not hesitate to contact the following:
Nuttaros Tangprasitti
Partner
Jarawee Suksngacharoen
Associate
Nuttaros Tangprasitti specialises in corporate and commercial law. She regularly assists both international and domestic corporate clients (limited liability companies and partnerships, stock corporation in several industries) on the relevant laws of Thailand, which includes foreign direct investment, legal due diligence, M&A and cross-border M&A, joint venture, compliance, banking and finance. In addition to supporting clients on the above and a multitude of different legal formalities, she also has expertise in advising on various investment promotion policies of the Board of Investment (BOI), as well as compliance with foreign business, other laws on salient points for shareholders and joint venture agreements, which includes laws on immigration and foreign work under Thai law. Nuttaros speaks at many seminars and takes an active role in educating the clients on issues relevant to their businesses and her practice areas. She also writes various articles and newsletters on cutting-edge topics in several legal areas, which are widely distributed to existing and potential clients. Nuttaros aims to ensure the lawyers on her team are constantly developing and upgrading their skills, to ensure they meet or exceed the high professional standards of Nishimura & Asahi. She is committed to ensuring that both she and our firm deliver top-quality services to our clients and strong internal support for our colleagues. She recently began drafting a manual on several aspects of Thai law, as part of an “Investment promotion scheme,” and also wrote several newsletters on corporate law, and banking and finance laws. She also recently authored an article on the impact of Tax Reduction for Land and Buildings, which received excellent feedback from our clients, particularly those who are land and building owners. Nuttaros is committed to building a strong and progressive corporate and commercial practice, which also incorporates tax law, by adapting to new ideas in the legal industry.