Alcohol in Thailand
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Beer
Thailand's alcoholic drinks market was valued at approximately 473 billion baht ($13.97 billion) in 2020.[2] The market has been characterized as a monopoly.[3]
Over half of the alcoholic drinks market consists of beer, and is effectively a duopoly, with Boon Rawd Brewery (which produces Singha and Leo beers) comprising a 58% share and ThaiBev (which produces Chang beer) at 34.3%.[4][5]
Under the 1950 Liquor Act, individuals are prohibited from brewing and distributing their own beer.[6] Despite this, a large craft beer market exists in Thailand, with microbreweries established across the country.[5]
Liquor
The liquor market is predominately controlled by ThaiBev (which produces SangSom, Mekhong and Hong Thong) and controls over a 90% share.[7][4] The Thai government issues two forms of distilling licenses, "community" and "special".
Special licenses
Special licenses give companies the right to export their products and have less restrictions, but require a minimum daily production capacity of 30,000 liters and for distillers to receive an environmental certificate.[7]
Community licenses
Community licenses are more easily obtained, but limit distillers to 6 employees. Distillers are limited to 5 horsepower of electricity usage.[7] Community licenses restrict distillers to labelling their products as white spirits (Thai: เหล้าขาว) and dark, or colored spirits (Thai: เหล้าสี).
Legislation and guidelines
Legal drinking age
In Thailand, the legal drinking age is 20.[8] The Alcoholic Beverage Control Act of 2008 increased the drinking age in Thailand from 18 to 20, private drinking is not regulated in private locations.
Alcohol advertising
Thailand has strict laws controlling the advertising of alcohol and alcoholic products, under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, BE 2551 (2008).[9][10] In 2024, the Public Health Ministry proposed a new bill to further restrict alcohol-related advertisements.[11]
Community Liquor Bill
In 2025, the House of Representatives unanimously passed the Community Liquor Bill, which would liberalize alcohol manufacturing.[12]
References
- ↑ "10% of Thais at risk due to heavy drinking, study shows". nationthailand. 2024-07-15. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
- ↑ Ghoshal, Devjyot; Setboonsarng, Chayut (May 23, 2023). "Beer-loving Thai lawmaker takes aim at $14 billion booze industry duopoly". Reuters.
- ↑ "People's Party revives anti-monopoly measures in Thai parliament". Nikkei Asia. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
- 1 2 "House rejects opposition party's liquor bill". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
- 1 2 Ratcliffe, Rebecca; Siradapuvadol, Navaon (2022-03-04). "Bangkok's illicit craft brewers risk arrest under draconian laws". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
- ↑ Spencer, Brian (2015-11-27). "Thai brewing: Thailand's rebel microbreweries thirst for change". CNN. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
- 1 2 3 Punch. "Want to Make Spirits In Thailand? Good Luck". PUNCH. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
- ↑ Brown, Forrest (2023-07-09). "The legal drinking age in 21 popular destinations". CNN. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
- ↑ "Booze industry wants strict ad curbs loosened". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
- ↑ "Alcohol regulations come under the spotlight at seminar". nationthailand. 2024-02-22. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
- ↑ "Carabao Group takes dim view of alcohol control bill". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
- ↑ "House passes bill to free up liquor production". Bangkok Post. 2025-01-15. Retrieved 2025-02-27.