Future Forward MP Taopiphop Limjittrakorn: Beer, Business and Politics in Thailand [Season 4, Episode 2]

Greg and Ed are very happy to welcome to the podcast
Taopiphop Limjitrikorn, a beer entrepreneur and current member of
Thai parliament from the Future Forward Party. 


In this first of a two-part interview, Greg and Tao discuss
Tao's background as a lawyer and how he transitioned from that
into brewing his own beer, which - believe it or not, he got
arrested for! Greg explains, with Tao's help, that Thai law is
shockingly unfair to small brewers, essentially making it
impossible for anyone but larger corporations (or ultra-rich
families) to make beer in the Kingdom. So then what's up with
Thai craft beer around Bangkok? Well, Tao explains that all
(legal) Thai craft beer is actually made over the border in
Cambodia and then imported into Thailand and subjected to heavy
duties.  


Coincidentally, Tao heard about a new political movement in
Thailand made up largely of young people who wanted to move
beyond the red-yellow divide of previous generations. This
movement morphed into the Future Forward Party, and without big
money or a big family name (or any political experience), Tao
jumped into the Thai election held earlier this year. Although he
was in a district traditionally controlled by Thailand's biggest
political party, Tao pulled off a huge upset win!


Make sure to listen to next week's show when Ed and Tao
discuss his new life as a member of Thai parliament. 


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