IF IT WASN’T FOR THOSE PESKY PROTESTERS

The Thai Securities and Exchange Commission gave Thai Beverage the go-ahead to list on the Singapore Exchange yesterday. However, a nation-wide social issue stands in their way. A new alcohol control law is currently being debated in Thailand and has prompted 10,000 religious and anti-alcohol individuals to protest a Thai listing of the company in the predominantly Buddhist country. The law is expected to be passed within the next two years. According to the Bangkok Post, Thai Beverage’s deputy VP for communications, Kasemsant Weerakun, said, “We are willing to delay (consideration of the SET listing) until the new law is passed to ensure clear understanding by the public. We would also like to confirm that we remain intent on entering the Thai market.”