Network revives challenge to thaibev's set listing

"We will submit a letter of protest to the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET)," the network's coordinator Kamron Chudecha said yesterday. "We protest against any listing of an alcohol company".

The network, comprising 264 organisations,would also involve other groups working to promote family institute and children's causes.

"We will do whatever we can to stop such vices," Kamron said.

He described alcohol business as detrimental to people and society.

"Organisations on the stock market should be socially responsible," he stressed.

ThaiBev has applied for listing  on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET). It plans to sell 80 million shares to investors.

If its application is approved, it will become a duallisted company because it has been listed on the Singapore exchange since May 2006.

Commenting on ThaiBev's plan, Friends of Women Foundation man?ager Jadet Chaovilai said SET and ThaiBev should not add more trou?bles to the country.  "The country has already had so many problems at this time," Jadet complained.

ThaiBev is the producer of the popular Chang beer.

 It first tried to join the Thai stock exchange in 2005 but met serious opposition from religious groups led by Chamlong Srimuang.