Published on January 18, 2006

Anti-alcohol protesters remained in front of Diethelm Tower yesterday, vowing to proceed with their protest until the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) puts up a definite block against the listing of alcohol companies. Led by Chamlong Srimuang as coordinator of 67 religious groups and 172 anti-drinking organisations, the protesters said that the SEC had only acted on Monday to delay a decision on the listing application of Thai Beverage Plc, the maker of Chang beer.

While most protesters had dispersed by Monday evening, Chamlong spent that night outside the tower with 10 supporters. Yesterday, another 500 protesters wearing mor hom shirts arrived, and some pitched tents in front of the building.

“I will stay here, because the SEC only delayed its resolution to await a law on alcohol-consumption control,” Infoquest quoted Chamlong as saying yesterday morning.

Meanwhile, there was no word from the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), to which all eyes have turned after the SEC approved Thai Beverage Plc’s listing plans in Singapore. SET president Kittiratt na Ranong promised last week – and repeated the promise over the weekend – that if Thai Beverage really did list on the Singapore Exchange, he would quit.

Kittiratt reportedly took the day off yesterday. Finance Minister Thanong Bidaya yesterday said he had discussed the issue with Kittiratt and insisted there was no need for the latter to resign if Thai Beverage listed in Singapore.

“It always take time to complete a listing, especially during the filing process,” he told reporters.

Kittiratt’s deputy, Vichate Tantiwanich, said SEC approval for Thai Beverage’s foreign listing had nothing to do with Kittiratt’s pledge, given that it was still uncertain whether the company could list on the Thai exchange.

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