Could LISA face legal trouble over beer on US TV?

Thai superstar LISA, Lalisa Manobal, has sparked an online debate over Thailand’s alcohol control laws after featuring Thai som tam and beer during an appearance on the US talk show The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

During the programme, LISA introduced Thai food and drinks and showed Fallon how to mix an alcoholic drink. The segment prominently showed the name and logo of a beer brand, prompting concerns among some internet users over whether the footage could have legal implications in Thailand after being shared online.

Under Thailand’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Act 2008, Section 32/2 prohibits anyone from using their reputation for personal benefit to communicate or display the name or trademark of an alcoholic beverage with the intention of encouraging others to consume it.

The issue was raised with Public Health Minister Phatthana Promphat on 18 September at the Department of Disease Control.

Phatthana said the law had not changed, but noted that LISA’s appearance took place on a programme in a foreign country and was not broadcast in Thailand.

However, he said the programme could still reach audiences in Thailand through the internet and online platforms.

“Since the event took place abroad, I think there should not be an issue,” Phatthana said.

He noted that some media outlets had blurred the product name and logo when sharing footage in Thailand and thanked them for doing so in accordance with Thai law.

The minister also urged people who share or forward clips from the programme to exercise caution and, where possible, conceal alcohol brand names and logos to comply with Thai law.