Thailand: Government rejects bill that would liberalise home brewing

Thailand’s House of Representatives has rejected a bill that would liberalise Thailand’s alcohol industry by making to easier for home brewing of beer to be conducted without a licence, AsiaBrewersNetwork.com reported on October 4.

The bill had been proposed by member of the house Taopiphop Limjittrakorn, an experienced craft brewer, and a representative of the opposition People’s Party. The bill was voted down with 237 votes against and 137 in favour.

The bill proposed allowing individuals to own their alcohol distillation equipment and to produce alcoholic beverages for personal use without needing prior government approval. “This is a big issue. If every household is allowed to make liquor without legal controls and that leads to death, the consequences will be severe. Permission is necessary,” argued government chief whip Wisut Chainarun from the Pheu Thai Party coalition, calling the bill impractical and potentially dangerous.

Instead, the House endorsed more conservative bills put forward by Pheu Thai and the United Thai Nation Party, a coalition partner, with 384 and 385 votes respectively. These bills will now undergo further scrutiny. Under these conservative proposals, government permission remains a prerequisite.

Limjittrakorn, previously a lawyer turned craft brewer, has campaigned to make laws more accommodating for small-scale beer producers. His bill was aimed at reducing the high barriers to entry for small brewers such as significant capital requirements and minimum annual production volumes. These currently favour the large brewing companies. By easing these restrictions small domestic brewers could capture 10% of the market within 10 years, he argued.

Thailand’s alcoholic drinks market is valued at approximately US$14 billion. Boon Rawd Brewery controls about 58% of the beer market, while Thai Beverage Plc holds about 34.3% share.

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