Politics can alienate friends and drive wedges in family, a truism even for the wealthy and powerful.
Thailand’s political conflict has proven a toxic mix for the Singha Corp. family’s brewery business, which took the unusual step of asking a family member to change her name yesterday to disassociate her views from the company.
Singha chief Chutinant Bhirombhakdi has publicly apologized for the views of his daughter Chitpas Bhirombhakdi, a high-profile anti-government activist, and announced yesterday that because she won’t cease her political activity, she will change her surname.
Chutinant had apologized for comments Chitpas made to foreign media that rural Thais lacked an understanding of democracy. Yesterday, red shirt protesters in Khon Khaen surrounded a Singha affiliate to protest the insult.
“I am well aware that every Thai deserves equal rights and liberty,” Chutinant said in a letter to the media, personally apologizing for her “inappropriate” remarks.
Chutinant’s company risks losing sales in the northern and northeastern provinces which strongly support the Yingluck Shinawatra government.
Chitpas showed no regret for her remarks and vowed to continue her campaign. Her home was attacked by four Molotov-cocktail throwing assailants last week, but no one was injured, Khaosod reported.
