Hopes are high among small breweries and local distilleries in Thailand as the Move Forward Party (MFP) seeks to liberalise the alcohol industry. The current heavily monopolised industry has made it challenging for small businesses to thrive due to strict laws and regulations controlling production and retailing.

 

Taopiphop Limjittrakorn, the MFP MP in Bangkok’s Constituency 22 and a leading liquor liberalisation campaigner stated that amending these laws to promote fairer competition for small enterprises and breaking the liquor industry monopoly will be one of the party’s first actions in parliament. Taopiphop said…

 

“Our first step will be to amend the ministerial regulations on liquor production, which can be done within the first week of the first parliamentary session to unlock the remaining barriers preventing small-scale distilleries from entering the business.”

 

Supapong Pruenglampoo, the co-founder of Sandport Brewery, a small craft brewery in the Chatuchak district, is one entrepreneur directly affected by the restrictive rules. He claims that these rules were written heavily in favour of giant conglomerates and designed to deter small firms from entering the industry.

 

Despite the rules for craft brewery registration being lifted in 2022, the criteria for distilled spirits remain the same, requiring a minimum production capacity of 30,000 litres per day to obtain a licence for distilled spirit production, reported Bangkok Post.

Thanakorn Tuamsa-ngiam, founder of Prachachon Beer (Beer People), a social network group advocating for liquor liberalisation, said the enforcement of laws is also a significant problem. He said…

 

“When enforcing alcohol control rules, officials often overlook the misdeeds of big companies and instead focus on prosecuting small business owners. They can interpret the law to penalise small businesses and ordinary people deliberately.”

 

By Mitch Connor

Caption: Photo Courtesy of Istock

 

Full Story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/move-forward-party-aims-to-break-thailands-alcohol-monopoly

 

-- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-06-02

 

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I'll drink to that. Seems, however, who or 'what' produced this article doesn't know what a monopoly is. The market is an oligopoly.

Boon Rawd Brewery, ThaiBev and Thai Asia Pacific Brewerey.

Edited June 2, 20233 yr by dinsdale

And while they're at it - stemming monopolies and encouraging free and open markets, they might give this philosophy/policy a go regarding the agricultural sector, which has been under the repressive umbrella of government bondage and middle-man aggie mafia for ages [monopolizing]. 

 

 

28 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

I'll drink to that. Seems, however, who or 'what' wrote or 'produced' this article doesn't know what a monopoly is. The market is an oligopoly.

https://www.flandersinvestmentandtrade.com/export/sites/trade/files/market_studies/Studie Beer Market in Thailand.pdf

Boon Rawd Brewery: U Beer (lager, 4.5%), , Snowy Weizen (German-style wheat beer), Kopper by Est 33 (red beer made from red GABA rice, 4.5%), My Beer (lager, 4.5% ABV) ThaiBev: Tapper (lager 6.5% ABV), Hutsman (wheat beer – Belgian style, 4% ABV), BlackDragon (red beer, 4% ABV) TAPB: Tiger Rodler, Tiger Lemon; Cheers Selection Riceberry, Cheers Selection Shogun Orange; Cheers Selection Northern Strawberry (which all are lagers.)

The systems are generally oligarchical the world over - corporatism, the nexus of government and corporations/business.

It's all been morphed into one-n-the-same......regardless of surface political and economic standings, practiced universally. 

Forgive my cynical thought but it won't happen. Unless they come up with some compromise deal where local breweries can only sell their goods from the back of a side of a tuk tuk on small side sois only between the hours of midnight and 2am. 

It’ll only happen if the military allows it to happen. 

Thai beer is only rivaled by Serbian beer, and the mass produced American beers, in terms of the very low quality. Poor grade of hops, barely, and the production process seems to be entirely lacking in pride. Typical of the big monopolies. Even a large production beer, like Beer Laos blows away any Thai beer, hands down. Thailand desperately needs a vital craft beer movement, and the youth are ready to mount it. The dinosaurs would not stop protecting their "bankers" and move out of the way. Hopefully, the youth will. 

 

For some, craft beer is associated with anti-establishment politics. “It’s very similar to the French Revolution, which started from a cafe in Paris, where people drank coffee,” says Taopiphop. “The fuel of the revolution is not coffee any more, it’s craft beer.” Taopiphop adds that, after the 2014 coup in Thailand, many pro-democracy activists chose to meet in Bangkok’s craft beer bars.

 

If only the younger Thais were allowed to express themselves, be inventive, be creative, be industrious, and use their smarts and ambition, Thailand could have a future. Craft beer is needed here, and so are the young entrepreneurs. But, that future appeared to be suppressed at every turn by the dinosaurs, who only answered to money, money, and even more money. Money is the God of lesser men. The money first attitude is holding back Thailand on so many levels. Let us hope the future is more visionary, and less clouded by dark greed and massive corruption. 

 

And how about looking into the supermarket monopolies and get some competition in the market while their at it

Given the abysmal quality of the major Thai beer brands, the worst in S.E. Asia, I salute the initiative and hope there will be more and better choices. However, I am a bit puzzled how a party that is so opposed to marijuana (btw, an impressive u-turn by Mr Pita on the subject), is now so keen to promote alcohol consumption.

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Taopiphop Limjittrakorn, the MFP MP in Bangkok’s Constituency 22 and a leading liquor liberalisation campaigner stated that amending these laws to promote fairer competition for small enterprises and breaking the liquor industry monopoly will be one of the party’s first actions in parliament. Taopiphop said…

Light at the end of the tunnel...

I hope one of the small breweries can make a decent bitter or porter?

I'm tired of the endless weak tasteless lagers.

3 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Light at the end of the tunnel...

I hope one of the small breweries can make a decent bitter or porter?

I'm tired of the endless weak tasteless lagers.

Agreed. Hope they will be sensibly priced too. Saw a small pale ale craft beer in 7/11 at over 100 baht a small bottle.

1 hour ago, Zack61 said:

It’ll only happen if the military allows it to happen. 

Or others allow it.

So currently you need to produce 30k bottles a day to get a license for distillery? If you don’t, you can’t get a license? How can you have a business then or call yourself a distiller? You set up a business knowing you can’t get a license for? I’m confused. Really. 

I don’t think it’s a good political move by this guy. First order of business is to look after his own and friend’s interest not the overall population. This case is very niche and specific with little impact on overall well being of the nation and there are more pressing issues than making beer production a fair playing ground. This tells how Thai political culture works. Every one for HIMSELF. Shame on him!

A hell of a pledge…..good luck with this initiative….but it could end their chances of government. 

 

2 hours ago, arithai12 said:

Given the abysmal quality of the major Thai beer brands, the worst in S.E. Asia, I salute the initiative and hope there will be more and better choices. However, I am a bit puzzled how a party that is so opposed to marijuana (btw, an impressive u-turn by Mr Pita on the subject), is now so keen to promote alcohol consumption.

You are suggesting that having more choice leads to more consumption. One does not necessarily lead to the other.

16 hours ago, zzaa09 said:

The systems are generally oligarchical the world over - corporatism, the nexus of government and corporations/business.

It's all been morphed into one-n-the-same......regardless of surface political and economic standings, practiced universally. 

Absolutely ???? % correct ! Not just Thailand Phamacutical monopoly, alcohol Amazon +++++ Blackrock, Vanguard etc,. Billy Goat is one of the best monopoly players ever along with his mates unamed as you get banned here easy with facts W_O , W_F etc,. vaxx proved all to me + lockdowns we are just pawn slaves in this game of elites & corrupt politicians ???? dominance . 

3 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Thai beer is only rivaled by Serbian beer, and the mass produced American beers, in terms of the very low quality. Poor grade of hops, barely, and the production process seems to be entirely lacking in pride. Typical of the big monopolies. Even a large production beer, like Beer Laos blows away any Thai beer, hands down. Thailand desperately needs a vital craft beer movement, and the youth are ready to mount it. The dinosaurs would not stop protecting their "bankers" and move out of the way. Hopefully, the youth will. 

 

For some, craft beer is associated with anti-establishment politics. “It’s very similar to the French Revolution, which started from a cafe in Paris, where people drank coffee,” says Taopiphop. “The fuel of the revolution is not coffee any more, it’s craft beer.” Taopiphop adds that, after the 2014 coup in Thailand, many pro-democracy activists chose to meet in Bangkok’s craft beer bars.

 

If only the younger Thais were allowed to express themselves, be inventive, be creative, be industrious, and use their smarts and ambition, Thailand could have a future. Craft beer is needed here, and so are the young entrepreneurs. But, that future appeared to be suppressed at every turn by the dinosaurs, who only answered to money, money, and even more money. Money is the God of lesser men. The money first attitude is holding back Thailand on so many levels. Let us hope the future is more visionary, and less clouded by dark greed and massive corruption. 

 

Honestly, they should let the little crafters go for it. The majority of them will be a dismal failure and peter out within the first year - making a great craft beer is an art. IF any are still standing, they will have a quality product and pose merely a negligible threat to the big guys. Everybody wins!

3 hours ago, AustinRacing said:

So currently you need to produce 30k bottles a day to get a license for distillery? If you don’t, you can’t get a license? How can you have a business then or call yourself a distiller? You set up a business knowing you can’t get a license for? I’m confused. Really. 

I think the key word is "capacity" rather than production stopping the garage start up. 

19 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The current heavily monopolised industry

they are looking for trouble if if they move against the beverage/alcohol controlled by "mafia"

6 hours ago, AustinRacing said:

I don’t think it’s a good political move by this guy. First order of business is to look after his own and friend’s interest not the overall population. This case is very niche and specific with little impact on overall well being of the nation and there are more pressing issues than making beer production a fair playing ground. This tells how Thai political culture works. Every one for HIMSELF. Shame on him!

Going after rich and powerful oligarchs is a clear sign of intent to improve the country for nearly everyone. Cannot see why they should be ashamed.

Hope this doesn't affect the supply of that premium gin Uncle Tom. I've still got to strip the paint off 3 more doors ????????????

The way the current law is written it appears as if it was written by a lobbyist.

11 hours ago, ozz1 said:

And how about looking into the supermarket monopolies and get some competition in the market while their at it

At least it's still cheaper than AU UK NZ and soon US. And here, there are wet markets everywhere selling almost anything that can be grown way cheaper and much fresher than the aircon/muzak Emporia.

I was amazed to find premium live seafood in a Korat market. 

Was in NZ last year, had been away decades. The craft beer selection was mind-blowing! 

Pricey, but absolutely astonishing in variety and flavour. An entire full length asile of beer, with wines on the opposite side.

All that for just 5 million souls, man woman and child. 

Corruption is why Thai people can't have these choices. 

 

Edited June 3, 20233 yr by chalawaan

While they are at it why not reduce the ridiculously high tax on imported wines, which I call a Farang tax. Can they not see that reducing the tax will increase sales, which increases revenue. Or will they stick to the tried and tested Thai business model of "if there are no customers, increase the price".

On 6/2/2023 at 4:34 PM, dinsdale said:

I'll drink to that. Seems, however, who or 'what' produced this article doesn't know what a monopoly is. The market is an oligopoly.

Boon Rawd Brewery, ThaiBev and Thai Asia Pacific Brewerey.

Thanks for noting it is an oligopoly not a monopoly. So many people get it wrong. 

11 hours ago, greeneking said:

Going after rich and powerful oligarchs is a clear sign of intent to improve the country for nearly everyone. Cannot see why they should be ashamed.

I don’t think your read my post well. The motivation here is personal gain. 

 

OP; do you understand what a monopoly is? ????

11 hours ago, chalawaan said:

At least it's still cheaper than AU UK NZ and soon US. And here, there are wet markets everywhere selling almost anything that can be grown way cheaper and much fresher than the aircon/muzak Emporia.

I was amazed to find premium live seafood in a Korat market. 

Was in NZ last year, had been away decades. The craft beer selection was mind-blowing! 

Pricey, but absolutely astonishing in variety and flavour. An entire full length asile of beer, with wines on the opposite side.

All that for just 5 million souls, man woman and child. 

Corruption is why Thai people can't have these choices. 

 

Dunno about the others now, but supermarket prices for beer in UK—most alcohol—is way lower than Thailand even factoring changes to currency over the last few years. When you get into the likes of craft beers, wines, breads, cheeses and fruits etc, Thailand can be prohibitively expensive. Even a slab of P poor lager here now is a rip, especially considering the wage relativity for locals. 
 

This can only be good news if they can break the monopoly of the dinosaurs, but a review of taxation on alcohol also needs serious consideration. 

You won't be getting any cheap beer boys. ( dream on )

You will be paying a very nice premium for your special beer.

Sure nice to have a choice. but I'm not bothered at all. 

Drank the local brews all-round the word, Thailand's local brew,  is not that bad in comparison. ( Star Larger, Nigeria ) 

I some how can't see people  cracking open a craft beer for breakfast.

Right 6.44, time for a breakfast beer, small can of Leo today.