Monks rally against Chang Beer listing on the stock market

Thailand, Bangkok: More than 5,000 Thai Buddhist monks from all over Thailand demonstrated in front of the SET (Stock Exchange of Thailand), last Friday afternoon, against the listing of Beer Chang, Thailand's leading brewery, on the Thai stock exchange.

Thai academic and religious groups oppose the listing of Chang beer shares on the Bangkok stock exchange (SET), proclaiming that the listing is threatening the Buddhist culture in Thailand. The demonstrating Buddhist monks distributed pamphlets protesting against the listing of Thai alcoholic Beverages, arguing such products harm the Thai people's health and the Kingdom's economy in the long-run.

The monks also declared that the listing of Chang beer was against Buddhist beliefs and would increase social problems, including crime and prostitution, over time. The Monks urged the SET directors to reject the listing of Chang beer and a discussion on the topic, by the SET board of directors, is planned for Wednesday.

The Bangkok demonstration was organized by a Chonburi-based Buddhist center which urged all monks throughout the country to join the Bangkok manifestation against Chang beer. The same Buddhist center had earlier this year organized protest demonstrations against cigarette and alcohol consumption in Thailand.