Rice wine producers form cartel

Fifteen local rice wine producers have banded together in an association to break what they say is a trade barrier put up by the giant companies that produce alcoholic drinks.

The association held a recent meeting with industry representatives and officials from the Industry Ministry in Buri Ram and plans to file for registration next month. Sakchai Techakriengkrai, chairman of the Buri Ram rice and fruit wines group, said the association would boost the negotiating power of local producers. It would seek to enlarge its membership and demand a larger share of the alcoholic drink market from the major distributors.

Pending official registration, the association's members would continue to use their individual brands. Afterwards they would unify under a common label.

They have struck an agreement with Boonrawd Brewery to sell their products through the company's 350 distribution agents nationwide. Mr Sakchai said various brands of rice wine manufactured in the Northeast were being sold in 20 provinces and the association was determined to market them nationwide.

The more local wines are promoted, the more it would help promote indigenous wisdom and generate income for the villagers, Mr Sakchai said.

It was a positive step that Boonrawd Brewery, an industry giant, had decided to help them.

(what I personaly doubt. Boonrawed just wants to control and benefit from the movement of the independent producers. The producers should keep their own distribution ways -- changnoi, the nerd)

The Global Hangover Guide calls for all local Thai producers of alcoholic beverages to send in more information about their products. CHANGNOI.NET will promote their products here for free.- think global, drink local)