Pakorn denies beer payment
DJ Pakorn “Dome” Lam yesterday reported to the Office of Alcohol Beverage Control Committee to deny he received payment for posting pictures of himself with a bottle of Chang Beer on his Instagram account.
Pakorn told office director Smarn Futrakul that he was not paid by ThaiBev and he didn’t realise posting images of alcohol was illegal.
He said he had no intention to promote the beer.
“I took responsibility for my actions by deleting all of the pictures with the beer bottles on my Instagram since Dr Smarn said it violated the law,’’ he said later.
“I erased t hose photos because I realised I must have a sense of responsibility towards society,” Pakorn said.
He said he would also turn down any future events held in beer gardens.
Pakorn, one of the 24 celebrities who posted pictures on Instagram of themselves holding bottles of Chang Beer, was summoned under Section 32 of the Alcohol Control Act.
The law bans advertising alcohol for commercial purposes, including displaying the names and logos of alcoholic drinks to promote them, whether or not the offenders have been paid by liquor companies.
Pakorn turned up at the office with his mother and manager yesterday. The star said he did not need a lawyer as it is not a serious lawsuit, adding he is relieved to have clarified the issue with the authorities.
Meanwhile, the Disease Control Department directorgeneral Amnuay Gajeena said the subcommittee which launched the probe into violations of the Alcohol Control Act has decision-making power over the scandal, not the Office of Alcohol Beverage Control Committee. Offenders face the prospect of being fined.