Prayuth cites ‘health and safety’ to attack popular homebrewing bill

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha stated in no unclear terms his opposition to a popular progressive bill to decriminalize alcohol production.

Before Tuesday’s cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha told party representatives and his own deputies in a closed-door meeting that he opposed the Sura Kaona (Booze Forward Act) because he was worried about public “health and safety,” saying people might start homebrewing with no way for the authorities to ensure quality.

He said the large producers – who bill supporters say the current laws are designed to shield from competition – can be held accountable. His comments were shared by those in the meeting.

On top of that, he expressed concern that a new market for alcohol would be similar to the weed boom that followed the decriminalization of cannabis, and that the authorities might not be able to…