The Beer Democracy (Metaphor)
In these trying Thai times there is often nothing else left to do than tearing one’s hair. Already having to cope with a movement that demands highest morals and ethics without demonstrating highest morals and ethics the prohibitionists are back on the street.
The public listing of ThaiBev, the kingdom’s biggest maker of both whisky and beer, shall be prevented – a fight that’s perfectly consistent with the current insurrection against Thai democracy, we’re about to learn.
Right, that’s what beer has to do with democracy: Die-hard prohibitionists representing “more than 260 anti-alcohol groups” according to the Bangkok Post rally at the Thai Stock Exchange – to prevent further harm to society.
That’s right. A listing of a liquor company encourages drinking and therefore the decay of society, the purists tell us. While me wonders what the fact checking department of the Post was smoking when they printed the 260 anti-alcohol groups. But in these days of Thailand’s regression obviously anyone can say anything – and it’s considered a fact.
If those kind do-gooders want to prevent the beating of Thai children and wives originating in excessive alcohol consumption, the prevention of a public listing of a alcohol maker may not be the wisest way to go. And if a population of pragmatists and profiteers loves gambling and smoking and drinking, they’ll always find ways to continue gambling, smoking and drinking.
The ban of relevant advertising is a promising step.
Even the proper education of kids may help to grow intact, sustainable family structures. Fighting trying to prevent the listing of ThaiBev may even do more harm than good. Thailand’s economy lost if not billions when ThaiBev was forced to go public in Singapore in May 2006.
It was Singapore’s largest IPO in ten years. ThaiBev would immediately range among Thailand’s top ten listed companies in terms of market capitalization.
Or maybe … maybe the “threatened” listing is a simple diversion tactic to get the PAD out of Govt House. How long can PAD-leader Chamlong Srimuang, Thailand’s most fervent prohibitionist, sit quiet over there while ThaiBev threatens to drown the beautiful nation in alcohol and misery.
Let’s close this post with the Nation Weblog’s FelixQui: “The efforts of Chamlong Srimuang’s Santi Asoke radicals to ban the listing of legal Thai companies producing legal products from listing on the Stock Exchange of Thailand is prefectly consistent with his current insurrection against Thai democracy.”
“Chamlong,” FelixQui goes on, “seeks to dictate how everyone else should behave, speak, think and live their lives. He has been as consistently opposed to freedom of expression, freedom of choice, liberty and self-determination as he is opposed to democracy and free speech on political issues of substantial public concern to Thai citizens.”
I recommend Khun Chamlong a nice ice-cold beer to relax a little and focus on the nicer things of life.
Have a sip or two, enjoy a wholly new peace of mind – and discover how a simple beer can lend wings to democracy.
Chamlong has too much “unfinished business at Government House,” he says:
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/10/27/national/national_30086926.php
Maybe beer lovers should make a point and errect a beer garden in front of the SET.
You know, Chamlong is a true Buddhist, which is to say that he keeps the precepts. Yes, that’s unusual in this country. It’s really quite harmful to yourself to advocate someone break their vows. You may disagree with his approach to politics but a person who does not drink and practices meditation regularly has a peace of mind and quality of mind that drinkers and non-meditators cannot really fathom. It is very likely he sees much more, and more clearly, than you do.
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Reset your GPS, Geo-ab-stain … As aliens in this country, we are not entitled to express much dissent, and apparently now this includes critiques on “true” Buddhism, as one reader haughtily attempts to define here. Dharma is not a Thai nationalist precept and Chamlong commands no higher enlightenment than Joe the Plumber on what is right or wrong for Thailand. The ultimate question we ask to those who consider themselves to be demi-gods is: If you were such a great benefactor why are we having to deal with such disparaties in society today, and why don’t your future plans include ameliorating the suffering of those whose vote you want to steal. Higher ascetic beings, really? How about abstinence from hunger for power, or in the commentators case, from snobbery?
I’d never dare to criticize Thai Buddhism per se. But Chamlong isn’t representing Buddhism, is he.
The simple fact that even army chief General Anupong has to go public with the unheard of warning to not attack the monarchy (The Nation) tells something about cause and effect of Chamlong’s campaign.
Divisions in society run deeper and deeper – and yes, count me among the blind not seeing the light Chamlong is seeing.
BangkokDan
[...] who not only pushed for laws that reinterpret what a beer calendar can look like. The radicals of Chamlong Srimuang’s Santi Asoke sect successfully prevented legal Thai companies producing legal alcoholic [...]