Cabinet gives nod to booze rule changes

Craft beer advocate says move ‘not enough’

- WICHIT CHANTHANUSORNSIRI AEKARACH SATTABURUTH

The cabinet has approved key changes to the 2022 ministerial regulation on the production of alcoholic beverages, paving the way for the nationwide distribution of craft beer in kegs.

The move is aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of small-scale brewers and supporting local industry.

Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul yesterday said that the cabinet has approved in principle a draft ministerial regulation on alcohol beverage production, proposed by the Excise Department under the Ministry of Finance.

The new regulation aims to revise the criteria and conditions related to production, reducing entry barriers for new producers, particularly small-scale and communitybased beer or liquor makers.