ThaiBev listing could sink alcohol regulations : critics

Even though the economy would get a boost from the brewery's float, Thai society would be affected in the long term, said Dr Saman Futrakul, director of the Alcohol and Tobacco Consumption Control.

Saman said a ThaiBev listing would release 80 million shares to the public, and many investors would oppose the ministry's planned alcohol regulations as a threat to company profits.

Santi Asoke movement leader Samana Photirak said he challenged government rea¬soning that the company listing would benefit the economy.

Samana said that while the public focused on the current political tension and joined in street protests, ThaiBev has taken advantage of the turmoil to push its application to the SET.

He said his network had still not discussed action against the company because most of its members had gone to the antigovernment People's Alliance for Democracy protest at Government House.

"Our point is clearly that we will not talk, even negotiate, with Thai Beverage," he said.

PAD's core leader Chamlong Srimuang, who also opposes the stockmarket listing of ThaiBev, said his network was not available to move against the company at this time but there were other groups working against the ThaiBev plan.

Meanwhile Public Health Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung is pressing ahead to ban alcohol sales on public holidays but not during the New Year festivities, which attract many tourists.

A Suan Dusit poll sampled 406 people from October 1722 and found that 51.35 per cent agreed with a publichealth ban on alco¬hol sales on public holidays.