Easing of alcohol laws ‘will lead to more deaths’

The push to ease Thailand’s tough alcohol laws might be welcome news to the nation’s smalland medium-scale brewers, but it might not bode well for the country’s already-high alcohol-related death figures, the Alcohol Watch Network warned.

- JUTAMAS THADTHIAMROM

The warning came as the government moved to ease restrictions on the production and sales of alcoholic beverages on May 13, which it said would allow smaller breweries to better compete in international markets and enhance the country’s overall economic activity.

The changes were meant to streamline and simplify the licensing process to make it easier for smallto medium-sized producers to set up their operations. They will also pave the way for the establishment of community distilleries in rural areas, which the government said would improve economic activity in remote regions.