Chocolate-mint drink falls victim to deepening post-election divisions as Thais mix it with politics
- Several cafes have joined a choc-mint boycott after a photo of Pheu Thai and pro-military party figures toasting the concoction during a meeting went viral
- ‘I don’t have anything against the choc-mint drink, but I just wanted to show that I stand by the pro-democracy side of politics,’ said an owner, who took the item off the menu
.png?itok=arIb17P0)
The country is deadlocked after the Move Forward Party (MFP), buoyed to victory by promises to end nearly a decade of army-backed rule, failed to get its reformist candidate elected prime minister, forcing it to bow out and allow coalition partner Pheu Thai to try to form a government.
But only last week Pheu Thai leaders were seen in talks with pro-military party figures, with an image of them toasting iced chocolate-mint drinks going viral.
Local media immediately dubbed it a “friend-betraying drink” and some cafes and shops announced boycotts, even as interest in the drink soared.
Thailand’s Thaksin plans his return amid rumours of a ‘super-deal’ with ex-foes
Devotees excitedly snapped pictures of the goopy green concoction at the ThinkLab cafe in Pheu Thai’s Bangkok headquarters.
Expertly drizzling chocolate over the minty liquid before topping it off with whipped cream, barista Pob Rujikiatkhachorn said the 90 baht (US$2.60) drink had never been so popular.
“It’s our bestselling item since it became the talk of the town on social media,” he told said.
He was initially surprised by the drink’s popularity but thanked the politicians for his increased sales, saying he has sold roughly 150 a day.
“In the end, it’s just a delicious drink that attracts a lot of customers and spreads happiness.”
MFP supporters might disagree.
02:27
Thailand’s Pheu Thai party splits from Move Forward, nominates Srettha Thavisin as prime minister
In the wake of the viral image, several cafes have joined a mint-choc boycott, removing it from the menu and describing it as a “hurt-your-friend” drink.
“I was suspicious of Pheu Thai when I saw that photo. Why did they hold talks with them?” Sasichom Krudhnark Pongphrom, who owns a cafe in Samut Songkhram, southwest of Bangkok, said.
The 42-year-old, wearing MFP’s signature orange colours, said she had removed the drink from the menu.
“I don’t have anything against the choc-mint drink, but I just wanted to show that I stand by the pro-democracy side of politics,” she said.
Thai politics has a long history of embracing colour coding.
About 10-15 years ago the country was deeply split between the royalist “yellow-shirt movement” and the “red-shirt movement” who supported Thaksin Shinawatra, founder of Pheu Thai’s forerunner party.
Approve Pita as PM or ‘get out’, Bangkok protesters tell Thai senators
Instead, much of the anger has been vented online.
“The choc-mint drink that is popular now, I definitely won’t drink it,” said one social media user.
Still, some people think customers are reading too much into it.
“It’s just a drink,” said customer Jitphanu Sitthisanguan back in the cafe at Pheu Thai headquarters.
“We shouldn’t involve the drink with political issues.”
