Pm Yingluck Urged To Exclude Alcohol Deal From Fta With Eu

[webfact]

Special Report: PM urged to exclude alcohol deal from FTA with EU

BANGKOK: -- The National Economic and Social Advisory Council (NESAC) has urged Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to be cautious about the free trade area on alcoholic beverages with the European Union (EU), saying the deal could encourage new Thai drinkers.

During a seminar on alcohol policies for the future of Thai youths, Jiraporn Limpananont of the National Economic and Social Advisory Council (NESAC) said the government’s move to seal the FTA deal with the EU must be considered carefully. The NESAC pointed out particularly to a free trade agreement on alcohol, saying if the deal was signed, it would encourage young drinkers.

The NESAC suggested the premier to abide by the Cabinet resolution earlier to exclude alcoholic beverages from future FTA discussions. At the same time, it also advised the government to push for restrictions for liquor shops to be located outside a 500-meter radius of an educational institution, impose more excise tax on liquor, and strictly prosecute shops that sell alcohol to children under 20.

According to Dr. Thaksaphon Thammarangsi, Center for Alcohol Studies Director, alcohol is one of the major causes of death of people aged 15-29. He said each year, around 250,000 become new drinkers. Besides, alcohol also leads to other problems such as brawls, drug abuse, and unsafe sex.

Dr. Thaksaphon explained that many young adults fall victims to advertisements and unethical marketing strategies, which include cheaper sale of alcoholic beverages and easy purchase.

He added that the World Health Organization had cited an academic report, saying many international free trade agreements have some influence over national public health policies. He suggested the government exclude the agreement on alcoholic beverages and tobacco from the FTA deal for a healthier society.

The opinions gathered from the seminar will be presented to the NESAC and later forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration before the government opens the FTA talk with the European Union.

-- NNT 2012-07-20

[Thaddeus]

The NESAC pointed out particularly to a free trade agreement on alcohol, saying if the deal was signed, it would encourage young drinkers.

Young people who have access to some of the cheapest, nastiest gutrot in the world from the local mom and pop shop will hardly notice if the price of a bottle of hock falls.

The only people who don't want this to happen are the tax collectors.

And let's blame the rest of the world for our problems.

Edited July 20, 2012 by Thaddeus

[angiud]

No the deal don't encourage new Thai drinker, but just break the monopoly of 2-3 big Thai alcohol companies and a very old favoritism

[Unkomoncents]

Wow. Not surprised, exactly, but this the first time I've seen a country try to blame alcoholism/increases in alcohol consumption on a free-trade agreement with a foreign country. This reeks of xenophobia and backroom (Are Singha, Chang behind this?) dealings. Thai-produced liquors are well cheap enough, as another poster mentioned above. If alcoholism is the problem, then I don't think suddenly being able to drink a Spaten as opposed to only Chang is suddenly going to exacerbate things. Thai logic is hilarious. The sad thing is that these kinds of stories are presented, totally seriously, to the general population, who are completely incapable of separating fact from fiction.

[Thaddeus]

No the deal don't encourage new Thai drinker, but just break the monopoly of 2-3 big Thai alcohol companies and a very old favoritism

Yes, and that.

[Thai at Heart]

Statements like this are so typical of the protectionist logic that goes on in this country, I am never ever surprised when some social group explains that these is some reason to protect the country from something, when it is going on already, with enormous local lobbies desperate to protect their current business.

Thailand is already one of Johnnie Walkers biggest business, but of course Sang Som survives because of a price advantage. Heinieken already has a massive business here, but Leo and Archa survive because of a price advantage. And as for wine, well, some big pooyais decided strangely to try to produce wine in Thailand, so we the consumers have to pay 500 baht a bottle for table wine, whilst huge volumes of wine coolers fly off the shelf. The logic may hold some water if, we bring the duties down, but increase the excise on ALL alcohol to reduce ALL consumption. But no, Thai alcohol is deemed better than foreign alcohol???

As though in some way that bringing the price of imported alcohol down to the levels of the domestic production is all of a sudden make people go out and drink twice as much heineken as they already drink Leo.

It is as though, economic principles for a moment get suspended in the wonderful world of Thai society protecting itself from the dastardly foreign products, whilst Thais are already profiteering massively from selling lower quality product. Time stands still, and everyone looks at each other thinking, surely this bloke is speaking b********x, but everyone obediently gets behind the flag and nods sagely.

When you read articles like this, the entire premise of the discussion makes absolutely no sense whatsoever, by supposedly intelligent people let these idiotic words come out of their mouths, and somehow manage to keep a straight face. But, of course, they are saving the country from something they must be acting in the national interest.

Allowing imported products to reduce their price from an FTA is going to somehow make the consumption of everything as a whole go up?

The only question is "Why"?, is this supposed to be the case? To which the only answer is "Because the pooyai said so".

[rubl]

Interesting how 'free trade agreements' seem to spur all types of "yes, but not for ..." remarks.

Now remind me, who was pushing for an FTA, Germany, France, Europe, Thailand ? Should we tell PM Yingluck not to bother? Shall we lodge a complaint with one of the courts or whatever commission that thwe PM's actions are corrupting our children and making alcoholics out of them ?

In other words, people grow up and be reasonable!

[WhizBang]

The National Economic and Social Advisory Council (NESAC) has urged Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to be cautious about the free trade area on alcoholic beverages with the European Union (EU), saying the deal could encourage new Thai drinkers.

Encourage new drinkers? Hardly. Try taxing the white spirits sold nation wide. That would be a start.

All the local rotgut sold at cheap prices are what encourages 'new' Thai drinkers. That and the drinking binges Thai's seem to love so much.

Dr. Thaksaphon explained that many young adults fall victims to advertisements and unethical marketing strategies, which include cheaper sale of alcoholic beverages and easy purchase.

How about 'controling' liquor advertizing, like is done in many other parts of the world. That, at least, would control the 'falling victim to advertisements' problem.

Yes, and the 'easy purchase' at mom and pop stores. Liquor sold 24/7 to anyone with money.

Fact is, this call to not allow free trade on alcohol has nothing to do with new or even underage drinkers. It is all about protecting Thai interests in selling alcohol. The FTA thing is just a smokescreen.

[Thai at Heart]

Interesting how 'free trade agreements' seem to spur all types of "yes, but not for ..." remarks.

Now remind me, who was pushing for an FTA, Germany, France, Europe, Thailand ? Should we tell PM Yingluck not to bother? Shall we lodge a complaint with one of the courts or whatever commission that thwe PM's actions are corrupting our children and making alcoholics out of them ?

In other words, people grow up and be reasonable!

Ain't ever going to happen. The entire premise of the way this has been set up for Only Thai's to exploit Thai's (not withstanding the fact that most of these Thai's arrived on a boat 70 odd years ago). I would prefer it much better, if they just stood up and said, look guys, we will put either Singha or Chang out of business if we allow this to happen, which could in some way at least give an economic justification as to why it should be protected.

[warfie]

I kept scrolling back to the OP and checking, rechecking double-checking, reading more carefully...

Nope, it isn't from NotTheNation...

[jackr]

What surprises me is why folk are surprised. I'm sure that 'cake and eat it' phrase was coined here.

[jaltsc]

Oh Come On!!! This is a blatant attempt to preserve the alcohol monopoly that exists in Thailand. It won't even affect the ability to tax alcohol since the government can do a blanket increase on all alcoholic beverages, domestic and imported.

Somehow I do not think a "young drinker" will be encouraged to start drinking by the import of western alcohol. Does anyone envision a scenario going: "I have avoided the 30 THB of cheap rotgut, but now that a bottle of Chateau Lafite Rothchild has gone down in price from 30,000 THB to 27,000 THB, it sure is tempting to start drinking alcohol".? Same goes for single malt scotch and anything else that doesn't resemble the stuff that comes out of a petrol pump. The one common aspect of young drinkers around the world is that they want to get as drunk as possible, and almost universally start their drinking habit with the cheapest available alcohol. There is no way any imported European alcohol will even approach the cheap price of local moonshine.

[Misterwhisper]

"...saying the deal could encourage new Thai drinkers."

"He said each year, around 250,000 become new drinkers."

Well, seems to me that Thais are not dependent on the EU to be encouraged to become new drinkers. So why the hullabaloo and claim that an FTA with the EU must exclude alcohol?

It's a bit like demanding that EU cars must be excluded in order not to promote even more road carnage on Thailand's roads; or how about excluding EU-manufactured anti baby pills so Thai teens won't have sex too early? What also comes to mind is to perhaps exclude sweets and junk foods from the EU, so it won't encourage new Thai fatties.

My point is that given the fact that Thais are already heaily indulging in alcohol thanks to a very large local booze industry that absolutely dominates the market, excluding EU alcoholic products is very unlikely to have any noticeable impact on the rather... uhm... excessive vibrant drinking culture in LOS.

[Pseudolus]

which member of this board then is a principal share holder in Thai Bev then? I can only assume they are saying this to protect their pocket OR a nice side business they have to getting booze through customs with no tax.

[h90]

the big Thai alcohol producing companies gave another donation to Yingluck......

Edited July 20, 2012 by h90

[whybother]

Apparently, international alcohol is worse for you that Thai alcohol.

[mrtoad]

This is more about protectionism, as opposed to health promotion. Nothing new here, move on....

[rkidlad]

This is really sad news. I'd personally love to have a real choice of beers in the supermarket that are more affordable.

I was on a date a while back and I noticed the bar I was in had Beer Lao. I was so happy and ordered myself a bottle. The girl I was with asked 'Don't you like Singha or Leo?' I told her that I do, but I like Beer Lao more. She looked genuinely sad.

When you've got people with this sort of mentality, it must be so easy for the big alcohol companies here to manipulate the general public.

This is why I hate nationalism. Who likes being told who they are and what they like?

[rubl]

This is really sad news. I'd personally love to have a real choice of beers in the supermarket that are more affordable.

I was on a date a while back and I noticed the bar I was in had Beer Lao. I was so happy and ordered myself a bottle. The girl I was with asked 'Don't you like Singha or Leo?' I told her that I do, but I like Beer Lao more. She looked genuinely sad.

When you've got people with this sort of mentality, it must be so easy for the big alcohol companies here to manipulate the general public.

This is why I hate nationalism. Who likes being told who they are and what they like?

I'm aware you wrote a rhetorical question, but unfortunately in this case there is an answer. Lots of people like the security of having the government regulating everything. Safe and easy. It seems people in former communist countries felt lost, left on their own after the government stopped dictating their lives.

Anyway, I'm still looking forward to an affordable Grolsch beer, used to be my favorite

[Skywalker69]

Apparently, international alcohol is worse for you that Thai alcohol.

Lao Kaow is medicin.

[Skywalker69]

This is really sad news. I'd personally love to have a real choice of beers in the supermarket that are more affordable.

I was on a date a while back and I noticed the bar I was in had Beer Lao. I was so happy and ordered myself a bottle. The girl I was with asked 'Don't you like Singha or Leo?' I told her that I do, but I like Beer Lao more. She looked genuinely sad.

When you've got people with this sort of mentality, it must be so easy for the big alcohol companies here to manipulate the general public.

This is why I hate nationalism. Who likes being told who they are and what they like?

I'm aware you wrote a rhetorical question, but unfortunately in this case there is an answer. Lots of people like the security of having the government regulating everything. Safe and easy. It seems people in former communist countries felt lost, left on their own after the government stopped dictating their lives.

Anyway, I'm still looking forward to an affordable Grolsch beer, used to be my favorite

Shok dee

[warfie]

More silly ideas from the silly party...

[rubl]

Anyway, I'm still looking forward to an affordable Grolsch beer, used to be my favorite

Shok dee

The 'beugelfles' (second from left) is well know, brewed about 30 km from where I lived. Grolsch is slightly bitter compared with normal lagers. The bottle easily reusable by home brewers as well.

[Thai at Heart]

This is really sad news. I'd personally love to have a real choice of beers in the supermarket that are more affordable.

I was on a date a while back and I noticed the bar I was in had Beer Lao. I was so happy and ordered myself a bottle. The girl I was with asked 'Don't you like Singha or Leo?' I told her that I do, but I like Beer Lao more. She looked genuinely sad.

When you've got people with this sort of mentality, it must be so easy for the big alcohol companies here to manipulate the general public.

This is why I hate nationalism. Who likes being told who they are and what they like?

Well, when you have At Karabao with his tv advert anthem proclaiming

"Beer Chang, Beer Thayeeeeeeeeeeeeee", when the original recipe was an award winning recipe developed in Denmark, and the symbol of the white Elephant goes back to connections between the royal families of Denmark and Thailand, one doesn't have to wonder how nationalism can write whatever truth it likes.

http://books.google.co.th/books?id=oABD-Tf4y8oC&pg=PT11&lpg=PT11&dq=chang+beer+danish+recipe+label+royal&source=bl&ots=YqTz_7Ur5h&sig=xaHUyjIkC1woMKxkdJ1SKn-lQ4s&hl=en&sa=X&ei=XyoJUPngD-nd4QSLxNj1Cg&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false

[GarryP]

As soon as I saw the headline I thought "Ayup, what's Chamlong banging on about this time?"

I honestly don't believe that juveniles are put on to drinking by advertising, as the article seems to suggest. It is down to peer pressure and trying to look mature in the eyes of mates. Anyway, wouldn't the same advertising restrictions currently in place apply to new stuff pouring in across the borders?

Edited July 20, 2012 by GarryP

[MEL1]

I gave up Buddhism when I saw a sloshed monk, high on crack!

But I still follow my shadow like the foot of an ox.

-mel

(kidding)

sent from my Galaxy 5.5 inch mobile i-pad.

[bigbamboo]

This won't mean more drinkers just more competition and more choice for the consumer.

The only losers will be the big Thai brewers who have made massive profits through unfair advantage for years but you can't have FTA's without fair competition.

[Noistar]

Special Report: PM urged to exclude alcohol deal from FTA with EU

BANGKOK: -- The National Economic and Social Advisory Council (NESAC) has urged Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to be cautious about the free trade area on alcoholic beverages with the European Union (EU), saying the deal could encourage new Thai drinkers.

-- NNT 2012-07-20

excuse my editing the article.

I can't help laughing every time I read something which equates Yingluck to action in Government.

Things like "Yingluck orders ........."

IMHO I don't believe she even understands the issue, let alone propose a solution.

I picture a 'sign here' scenario.

Her classic "I don't know the content of the Bill but it's the only way forward" is a more believable scenario.

So I assume Chalerm is now puzzling over what needs to be done

[bigbamboo]

Special Report: PM urged to exclude alcohol deal from FTA with EU

BANGKOK: -- The National Economic and Social Advisory Council (NESAC) has urged Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to be cautious about the free trade area on alcoholic beverages with the European Union (EU), saying the deal could encourage new Thai drinkers.

-- NNT 2012-07-20

excuse my editing the article.

I can't help laughing every time I read something which equates Yingluck to action in Government.

Things like "Yingluck orders ........."

IMHO I don't believe she even understands the issue, let alone propose a solution.

I picture a 'sign here' scenario.

Her classic "I don't know the content of the Bill but it's the only way forward" is a more believable scenario.

So I assume Chalerm is now puzzling over what needs to be done

With Chalerm it's, "Last orders".

[BangkokHank]

My favorite German beer costs 145 baht a bottle in Bangkok supermarkets, and the equivalent of 27 baht a bottle in Berlin. Even the horrible Thai beers cost more than what a good German beer costs in Germany. A few rich Thai (Chinese) brewery owners are making obscene profits from the stauts quo. As many people have already noted, it is to protect these obscene profits that this proposal is being put forth. The health and well-being of fellow Thais is the LAST thing that these plutocrats care about.