Phuket Bar owners hit by beer crisis

Phuket Bar and other businesses in Patong’s entertainment industry, as well as the thousands of other establishments islandwide, are reeling from the effect of product shortages brought on by the floods in Bangkok and Central Thailand.

Among the greatest concerns for the bars is the shortage of alcoholic beverages, which Patong Entertainment Business Association (PEBA) says will reach “crisis” level within 30 days if steps are not taken to bring booze back to Phuket’s party town.

“At the beginning of the flood crisis, we didn’t expect it to affect us much,” said PEBA President Weerawit Kurasombat, whose members generate more than 100 million baht annually for the local economy.

“But now we are starting to feel the effects – we are running short of alcoholic beverages,” he said.

Mr Weerawit said that even small bars in Patong make 6,000 to 7,000 baht a night from alcohol sales.

“The main income generator for each bar is beer sales. Bif bars can usually make about 30,000 baht a night from selling beer alone,” he said.

Alcohol sales comprise a critical portion of income for entertainment businesses, he said.

“Overall, between 20% to 30% of the overall income generated by entertainment businesses is from  alcohol beverage sales alone.“

“Of that income, 60% is from beer sales, 30% is from sales of whiskey and wine, and the remaining 10% is from cocktails,” he added.

“This is the beginning of the high season. If the supply situation does not improve within about 30 days, I believe the entertainment business will start showing the real signs of crisis,” Mr Weerawit waened.