Many people were overjoyed when news of Thailand’s 7-Eleven stores selling beer out of a machine became viral across Southeast Asia.
Although a large group of beer-lovers were completely excited over the new technology, there seems to also be a group of people who are totally against it.
Source: Coconuts
Thailand’s Alcohol Watch Network found 7-Eleven selling draft beer as ‘highly inappropriate’ and consumers should only drink beer in ‘proper places’ such as restaurants and bars.
This is because they believe whoever purchases the draft beer would have to consume it on the spot and would then have to drive right after, which would then lead to a higher rate of road accidents.
The protests were so bad that CP All, the company which operates all 7-Eleven chains throughout Thailand, decided to cease operations of their Leo beer machines.
The Alcohol Watch Network grouped in front of CP Tower on Silom Road on October 6, 2017, Bangkok Coconuts reported.
They held picket signs which read words such as “We don’t want draft beer machines at 7-Eleven” and “#ProtectChildrenYouthandWomen”.
They even sent in a letter of complaint to the board of CP All.
Source: Bangkok Coconuts
Of course, the Alcohol Watch Network also received massive backlash for their protests. Many bemused netizens questioned them about the general consumption of alcohol.
One person wrote,
“How the heck is selling draft beer any different from the six packs that 7-Eleven has been in their stores for years?”
They reiterated that the beer machine is in fact better, because the cashiers or store employees will be checking the customers’ IDs before selling it to them, hence decreasing incidents of underage drinking.
A few other netizens argued that even the people who consume alcohol at restaurants or bars might be driving too.
Source: Bangkok Coconuts
A Facebook page named Drama Addict were against drink driving too but went for a different approach to this problem.
In their very viral Facebook post, they wrote,
“We’ve been campaigning against the sale of beer, but have road accidents decreased? No. Have we been able to prevent new teen drinkers? No.”
“It has gotten worse and worse every day. Instead of picking on the sale of alcohol, we should educate Thais that they need to be responsible drinkers.”
Many more netizens echoed with Drama Addict’s sentiments than Alcohol Watch Network.
Currently, CP All is still debating on whether they should bring back the beer machines.
Seeing as how Malaysia has faced a similar issue also related to beer consumption, what are your thoughts on this debate in Thailand? Let us know!
Also read: Jamal Arrested for Smashing Beer, Selangor Umno Denies Relation to Incident
