Thai Lower House Passes Historic Community Alcoholic Beverage Bill

Alcoholic Beverage
Thailand's House of Representatives unanimously approves the Community Alcoholic Beverage Bill, with 415 votes in favor, no opposition, and 5 abstentions, on Jan. 15, 2025.

BANGKOKIn a landmark decision, the Thai House of Representatives unanimously approved the Community Alcoholic Beverage Bill, marking a significant shift in Thailand’s beverage production landscape. The bill passed with 415 votes in favor, no opposition, and 5 abstentions.

The legislation, jointly proposed by the Pheu Thai Party under the name “Community Alcoholic Beverage” and the Thai Sang Thai Party as “United Thai Alcoholic Beverage,” aims to democratize the industry by allowing small-scale producers to legally manufacture and possess equipment for both distilled spirits and beer production.

Committee Chairman Chanin Rungthankiat of the Pheu Thai Party explained that the legislation establishes a framework for issuing production licenses and setting conditions for manufacturing equipment. “The new licensing system will prevent discriminatory practices and economic monopolies, ensuring fair access for small-scale producers,” he stated.

Key aspects of the bill include:

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  • Support for cooperatives, farmer groups, community enterprises, and small entrepreneurs to obtain commercial production licenses
  • Permission to produce various types of alcoholic beverages, including distilled spirits and beer
  • Requirements for production standards while maintaining necessary social impact controls
  • Mandatory registration with government authorities for production and equipment possession
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Thailand’s House of Representatives unanimously approves the Community Alcoholic Beverage Bill, on Jan. 15, 2025.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra celebrated the bill’s passage in a social media post, highlighting new economic opportunities for small entrepreneurs. “This bill will enable producers to transform agricultural products and unique Thai spices into valuable ingredients for both spirits and beer, increasing their produce value while elevating Thai traditional brewing and distilling wisdom to international markets,” she stated.

The legislation aligns with government policies by:

  1. Reducing industry monopolization and enabling legal business opportunities for small producers
  2. Promoting value-added agricultural product processing
  3. Bringing unofficial production under proper regulation and taxation
  4. Supporting creative cultural tourism through community-based alcoholic beverage production
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Community liquor production in Nakhon Ratchasima Province

Government agencies have indicated they won’t wait for the law’s full implementation to begin helping small businesses. Opposition People’s Party MP Taopipop Limjittrakorn, a long-time advocate for alcoholic beverage production reform, welcomed this approach and extended gratitude to the majority coalition. He particularly praised Chairman Chanin for their productive cross-party collaboration, despite their different political affiliations.

Regarding implementation, Taopipop noted that while the licensing framework is now established, attention must turn to ministerial regulations under the Finance Ministry’s authority, estimating these could be issued within 2-3 months.

The bill will now proceed to the Senate for further consideration. This reform marks a significant step toward modernizing Thailand’s alcoholic beverage industry while preserving regulatory oversight and promoting economic opportunities for local communities.

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