BANGKOK – The national beer garden industry appealed directly to the PT-led government for financial assistance after its worst-ever beer garden season came to an abrupt end on January 4.
With unseasonal temperatures rising to 36C and humidity up to 80%, the beer gardens of the capital city and upcountry have been devastated by low turnout and poor sales of iced lager and fried food.
“We’re looking at losses from which we may never recover,” said trade representative Mateewan Leepkunthavorn, whose organization lobbies on behalf of the beer garden industry.
“Thailand is at risk of never having another beer garden, unless someone helps us,” he added, citing claims by member companies that they are considering withdrawing entirely from the beer garden business.
Mateewan blamed the short cool season on climate change and a poor economy following the flood crisis of last year. The arrival of monsoon rains in mid-January, about seven months earlier than usual, was the killer blow.
“Many beer garden vendors are in debt, and as many as 200 Thai pop cover bands with sexy female singers and gay back-up dancers have gone unpaid,” he said.
The Yingluck government has yet to address Mateewan’s demands for ฿30 billion in bailout money. However, if they continued to be ignored, the organization said it may resort to civil actions such as protests in front of Government House.
“We will build barricades out of Singha umbrellas and white plastic chairs,” he said. “And we will dump 300 tons of unsold air-dried pork at their door. We will not be ignored.”
