How beer sparked a row in a nation of 70 million

A political row in Thailand is pitting the government against small businesses over a lucrative drink: alcohol.
The tussle revolves around an opposition-led proposal to liberalize the production and sale of liquor and beer, which is tightly regulated in the Southeast Asian nation. Supporters of the changes argue that local producers have been dominated for years a duopoly of large companies.
The government relaxed some entry barriers to the liquor industry this week, though activs say the tweaks aren’t enough. For fermented beverages, a minimum capital requirement of 10 million baht ($267,000) and production capacity of at least 100,000 liters per year will be removed, among other changes.
Wichit Saiklao, founder of Chit Brewery, a licensed local producer of craft beers in Nonthaburi province, said the revised rules will have a “positive effect,” but won’t ensure broader fairness in the industry.
Thailand, long a tour mecca, has a large liquor market. In 2020, 461 billion baht was spent on alcohol, according to figures collated Bank of Ayudhya Pcl. But estimates show that at least 92% of the country’s beer market that year was controlled just two companies: Boon Rawd Brewery Co. and Thai Beverage Pcl. It’s a similar picture in the spirits market, with ThaiBev dominating the majority of domestic sales.

Political opponents of a military-dominated government led embattled premier Prayuth Chan-Ocha have seized on the issue ahead of next year’s national elections.
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, a leader in Thailand’s largest opposition party, Pheu Thai, wrote on Twitter that the government’s new laws continue to block small producers and the “potential of the Thai people.” Posting images of her father and former premier Thaksin Shinawatra — who remains popular among poorer Thais — she said her party would liberalize rules further if elected into power.
A more progressive liquor bill, spearheaded the opposition Move Forward Party, was shot down a three-vote margin a day after the government’s revised regulations were announced.
Large beer companies have so far steered clear of the debate. A Boon Rawd Brewery representative was not immediately available for comment. A spokesperson for ThaiBev told Bloomberg News that the company hasn’t issued a statement on the changes.
For now, campaigners are pushing on. “Drink with grudges but never despair. Next election, elect a confident representative of the people,” Pannika Wanich, a spokesperson for a political group called Progressive Movement, posted on Instagram this week.