Thai Teachers Demand Scrapping of Controversial Beer Discount Deal

Photo of Tawandang German Brewery courtesy of Banbanjara

Thai educators are fiercely opposing a contentious agreement between a state agency and a beer company, launching a petition to annul the deal. The uproar is centered on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Office of the Welfare Promotion Commission for Teachers and Educational Personnel (OTEP) and Tawandang German Brewery. Critics argue that the agreement undermines the integrity of teachers and sets a poor societal precedent.

The MoU, signed on 14th May, offers a 10% discount to teachers at three Tawandang German Brewery locations, two in Bangkok and one in Nonthaburi, valid until 13th May next year. Intended to enhance teacher welfare, the deal has instead sparked a heated debate over its appropriateness, given the link between teacher benefits and alcohol discounts.

Chayapa Khunpittikana, coordinator for the network Thai Teachers Against Vice-Promoting Welfare, voiced strong disapproval, citing potential reputational damage for teachers. The network argues that genuine welfare support should focus on education professionals' health and well-being, through initiatives like affordable private healthcare, rather than promoting alcohol consumption.

In a bid to overturn the MoU, the network has penned an open letter to Education Minister Police General Permpoon Chidchob, urging him to revoke the agreement. The letter outlines several key issues. Primarily, it highlights the risk of damaging both the public image and ethical standards of teachers and the Ministry of Education, which has historically encouraged students to avoid vices.

Secondly, the network warns that alcohol-related benefits might normalise drinking among educators, potentially influencing students to emulate such behaviour. Furthermore, the petition underscores that teaching has traditionally been respected for its dignity, and this agreement risks tarnishing that image, with possible long-term repercussions for the profession’s reputation.

While the MoU's intent might have been to provide a perk for teachers, detractors believe it falls short of promoting responsible welfare. As the debate intensifies, the Ministry of Education faces increasing pressure to reassess its stance on the matter.

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-05