Taopiphop Limjittrakorn: The home brewer turned MP shaking up Thailand’s liquor industry

13 Sept 09:54 Key points summarised by AI

Former craft brewer Taopiphop Limjittrakorn entered Parliament to challenge Thailand's liquor industry monopoly, fulfilling his election pledge.
He champions the 'Progressive Liquor Bill' to diversify consumer choices, reduce prices, and boost the grassroots economy by empowering smaller producers.
His political career ignited after his 2017 arrest for illegal brewing, revealing laws that favored large corporations and inspiring him to co-found the Future Forward Party.
Despite controversy over accepting a royal decoration, Taopiphop maintains his steadfast commitment to his pro-democracy ideologies and public service.

The Buddha Comes Home

Today 15:38 Key points summarised by AI

Chong Para is a vibrant annual festival of the Shan (Tai Yai) people in Mae Hong Son, Thailand, celebrating the Buddha's return from Tavatimsa heaven after Buddhist Lent.
The festival's centerpiece involves families constructing intricate miniature palaces, also called Chong Para, from bamboo, paper, and lights, placed outside homes and temples as offerings.
For three days and nights, the quiet mountain town comes alive with folk music, traditional dances like the Shan bird dance, religious ceremonies, and community gatherings, showcasing deep-rooted Shan culture.
Beyond the celebrations, Chong Para reinforces family bonds, preserves traditional crafts, and offers visitors an authentic immersion into the unique cultural heritage of Mae Hong Son.