Thailand - organizer of international tobacco exhibition fined..

November 15, 2009 - A Thai advertiser who organised an international tobacco exhibition was yesterday fined Bt20,000(600.24 USD) for allowing banners carrying images of cigarette brands and logos at the event.

The unnamed company was fined Bt20,000 (600.24 USD) for violating a 1992 law that prohibits pictorial or narrative displays of brands of cigarettes and other tobacco products.

The violation took place at the Tabinfo Asia exhibition, which was held at a Muang Thong Thani exhibition hall, from Wednesday until yesterday.

A team of Public Health Ministry inspectors and local police met the staff of the company on Thursday to notify them of the offence. The staff appeared at the Nonthaburi provincial court yesterday and pleaded guilty, resulting in the initial fine of Bt40,000 being halved.

Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai hailed the court penalty as a sign to the world that Thailand's law on controlling tobacco consumption was effective and any violator was equally punishable. He said it would be used as a model at all upcoming international events of a similar kind to be held in Thailand.

Reference: Organiser fined over cigarette ads at tobacco exhibition by The Nation National, 11/14/2009.

Some Thailand news briefs:
Thailand - hand-rolled cigarettes more popular and other matters..;
WTO - "DS 371" Philippines versus Thailand on cigarette customs valuation..;
Thailand - Tobacco Expo organizers and guests must obey all tobacco control laws..;
Thailand unit of Philip Morris International faces charges that it violated custom tax rules..;
Thailand - hosting major tobacco promotion event in November 2009..;
Thailand Tobacco Monoploly - union concerned about privatization..;
Thailand - monks sickly from tobacco smoking and/or smoke exposure..;
Philippines - Thai cigarette import rules..;
Thailand - cigarette and liquor prices are expected to rise once new measures for calculating excise taxes take effect..;
Congratulations.. Thailand Joins Developed World With Total Ban On Smoking..;
Discouraging Tobacco Use - Horrific Images on the Packaging..