"The main thing is to help the economy, to make money. We don't want to lose resources we already have," he said.
Locally produced rice whiskey must contain less than 15 percent alcohol, according to the Ministry of Finance. Licensed whiskey makers are required to have their products examined regularly by the excise department.
So far, licenses have been given to about 450 producers, whom the government describes as "farm cooperatives," meaning they are certified village residents who have created a cottage industry and generated employment.
About 500 more individual hooch makers remain unlicensed and will continue to be targeted by authorities unless they form cooperatives. Until then, if convicted they face a fine of up to 5,000 baht (US$110) for each infraction and six months in jail.
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