Ad laws clamp down on energy drinks in Thailand
restrictions, similar to those for alcoholic drinks, after health
authorities claimed they damage health.
Energy drink makers say they will fight new regulations that will see advertising for the functional beverages in Thailand restricted by the same laws as alcoholic drinks.
Thailand's government decided this week to include energy drinks among those products which cannot be advertised from 5 am to 10 pm, starting from October, according to the Bangkok Post.
Austrian firm Red Bull, which also makes Kratingdaeng for the market, and competitors M150 and Carabao Dang will be affected by the new laws. The Advertising Association of Thailand said it will back the companies in trying to overturn a health authorities' advisory that energy drinks are detrimental to health and consumption should be curbed, according to the report.
The international market for energy drinks is growing rapidly, with growth of 11 per cent in the last two years, according to Zenith statistics. Regulations however seem to pose one of the biggest threats to the industry, with Red Bull still not permitted in French, Danish and Norwegian markets due to a ban on some of its ingredients.
