According to news reports, hundreds of Thais on Wednesday protested outside a tobacco industry trade fair and congress in Bangkok.

"We would like the world to see we are opposed to the tobacco industry using Thailand as a base to promote and expand its markets in Asia among youths and women," said Chawala Pawaputanond, a coordinator for the Thai Network Against Tabinfo Asia 2009. The network gathered 86,238 signatures of people opposed to the tobacco industry exhibition and conference held in Bangkok at the Muang Thong Thani Convention Centre.
The reports also said that the Thai Tobacco Monopoly, a main sponsor with the largest stand at the exhibition, was withdrawing its tobacco products from the show. The TTM board decided on Monday to use the gathering of global tobacco producers and distributors to promote tourism rather than tobacco products.
TTM's spokeswoman Prapassorn Pongpansal said the agency decided to shift its emphasis after Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva instructed state agencies not to support the event.
"The prime minister did not want us to promote smoking, so we have changed our booth display to promote unseen tourist destinations and Thai culture," Mrs Prapassorn said. Thailand is a signatory to the World Health Organisation's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control which prohibits government agencies from taking part in tobacco promotions and from receiving financial support from the tobacco industry. (pi)