Drinking in Thailand: Beers, Liquors & Beverages

Drinking in Thailand

It’s a rare day that the weather is not hot and muggy making a cold and refreshing beverage an essential part of surviving your trip to Thailand.

This can come in the form of a coconut that was just picked from the tops of the palm or a beer served on ice while watching the sunset.

No matter if you are visiting the islands in the Andaman Sea or hanging with the elephants outside of Chiang Mai, you will have a large selection of fun drinks to choose from. 

Drinking Culture in Thailand

Cold Thai Beer and Spicy Food

There is something about Thailand that makes us lust for a night out of drinking cold Chang beer while eating blisteringly spicy street food.

Imagine sitting at a small outdoor bar with a view of the tuk-tuks racing by and the remnants of the old city walls.

You are sipping on Thai beer served over ice and snacking on sour ribs and northern sausage along with their garnishes.

With any luck, you will make some new friends and share a bottle of some local Thai rice whiskey and snack the night away.

If you want to drink like the Thai people, make sure you eat as you go. This serves to help keep the stomach full thus preventing them from getting too drunk.

Who’s Drinking

When looking at the drinking culture in Thailand, it’s easy to see three distinctly different groups of people imbibing.

The first is the free-spirited and sometimes wild group of bucket drinking partiers known as the backpacking crowd.

The second is the day drinking vacationers that occupy lounge chairs while working on a sunburn.

The third is the one that most likely brought you to this section of this travel guide. This group is the locals that are sharing special moments and life experiences with family and friends.

There is no wrong way to have a good time if you just show some self-control, and pay attention to avoid any cultural faux pas like walking down the street with a beer in your hand.

Yes, it is legal, but it is considered disrespectful.

Drinking with Thai People

There are a few things to know if you want to have any sort of authentic drinking experience in Thailand.

There are also several things not to do if you don’t want to be a disrespectful tourist. Just remember above all things that the people of Thailand are very traditional.

You will be visiting their country, so show some respect and you will have a great time. 

If you make friends or are drinking in a group, there are a few cultural nuances to pay attention to.

When arriving, make sure that the host is sitting in the middle of the table and not at the ends.

This host will also have the option to start any toast first. If the host does propose a toast, make sure to toast the elders first as a sign of respect.

The host also has the first option of paying most or all of the bill, but it’s not necessary.

Also, it’s really common for groups to share a bottle with mixers or buy a beer tower to share in a more communal drinking experience.

Buying Alcohol in Thailand

On our last trip to Thailand, we arrived at our accommodation at midnight and got settled in.

Jet lagged and still on U.S. time, we decided to head to the store to get some snacks and our first Chang beer of the trip.

The 7/11 was open but unfortunately, the beer section was locked. We had totally forgotten about Thailand’s alcohol laws dictating what hours they are allowed to sell beer and ended up leaving with just a bag of chips.

There was another time after a day of exploring Bangkok that we were stopped from buying beer as it was election day and all alcohol sales were banned.

Luckily for us, it turned out that there were several renegade restaurants down a dark alley that were still selling beer to those willing to take a risk.

Nonetheless, it pays to plan ahead if you are planning a fun night out or you are on vacation and making the most of every day of your trip.

What time can you buy alcohol in Thailand?

• Convenience stores are only allowed to sell alcohol during certain periods of the day (11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and then from 5 p.m. until midnight).

• Other special dates and holidays also call for an all-out cut off of alcohol sales including Buddhist holidays, elections, and most importantly the King’s Birthday. For elections, alcohol sales are forbidden for 24 hours before to 24 hours after.

• It’s not a bad idea to ask your accommodation if there are any dry days during your stay so you can stock your mini-fridge in your room if a day off is out of the question.

How to say “Cheers” in Thai

Here are a few Thai words that will come in handy if you get to drink with some Thai hosts.

• Chai yo – Cheers
• Chon kaew – Let’s drink
• Mhod kaew! – Bottoms up!
• Chok dee khrup/ ka – Good luck (use khrup if you are male and ka if you are female)

In America, a night out of drinking usually involves getting a good buzz before calling it a night and curling up with a late-night burrito or something else we end up regretting in the morning.

In Thai culture, it’s the opposite. A night out with friends consists of snacking as you drink which helps to prolong the evening without losing control.

It also makes for a fun evening of trying great food while sharing a semi-coherent. conversation.

Thai Liquor

Lao Khao (variable % depending on if it’s commercially made or home-distilled)

You will always remember your first taste of Lao Khao.

This harsh Thai whiskey will contort your face, make your throat burn, and your stomach churn as fast as it goes down the hatch.

This spirit makes up around two-thirds of alcohol consumed in Thailand. It can be found almost anywhere and for crazy cheap prices ($2 US for a liter).

You can even find it in several different strengths at 7/11 stores around the country. You have been warned, this stuff is vicious!

Sang Som (40%)

This spiced rum is distilled with molasses before spending five years in a charred oak barrel.

It is dangerously sweet and goes down a little too easily if mixed with anything.

Sang Som was the original spirit used in making buckets for party goers looking to get hammered at a full moon party.

Hong Thong (35%)

This spirit is technically a whiskey but it is a big departure from what you would get in Kentucky or the Scottish Highlands.

It is grain distilled (rice) but it also gets some molasses in the mix.

Mekhong (35%)

This is the first spirit distilled in Thailand dating back to 1941.

It is mistakenly called a whiskey but is really a rum as it is distilled using mostly molasses and only a tiny bit of broken glutinous rice.

Buckets (% varies with different mixes and different vendors)

This is perfect for those in that stage in life where getting really drunk and really caffeinated at the same time seems like a great idea.

Buckets originally started off with a mix of one 300ml bottle of Sangsom, Thai red bull, and coca-cola but many other variations are available.

Watch out for vendors that are offering cheap deals on buckets as it’s common for them to water down the alcohol.

Look for buckets that are sold with the mixers still in their bottles.

Beers in Thailand

In Thailand, there are two major beer producers that dominate the beer consumption in this country.

Both producers have a stranglehold on the market, but some new emerging craft beer options are gaining momentum with the younger generations.

This new emerging market is putting pressure on the big players and they have responded with a craft offering of their own.

If Thai beer just isn’t your thing, most common European brands are also available at a significantly higher price.

The key thing to remember is that nothing pairs better with late-night Thai food better than ice-cold beer.

Singha – 5%

This is the oldest beer in Thailand dating back to 1933 at the Boon Rawd Brewery in Bangkok.

This pale lager is the most expensive of the big-name beers, but it is relatively cheap compared to western beer prices.

This beer seems to have a slightly more malt flavor than the other big-name beers.

Leo – 5.5%

This is the sister beer to Singha and is brewed in the same brewery.

It was originally created to keep pace with the up and coming and cheaper Chang beer that was becoming the beer of choice for younger consumers.

It is very similar to its big sister but has a little less body and a crisper finish and is our favorite for washing down drinking snacks.

Chang Beer – 5%

Drink one Chang and see two elephants! This beer is well known for its reputation for not having a consistent alcohol percentage that might leave you feeling it in the morning.

They have worked out the kinks and are now brewed in a state of the art brewery in Ayutthaya. This bright crisp beer is perfect for enjoying the sunset on any Thai island.

Craft Beer

The craft beer movement that is sweeping across the world is making roots in Thailand.

The combination of younger expats and a new generation of beer drinkers is creating a new market for these small-batch brews.

Most of these beers are imported from around the globe with a large presence of American producers.

Due to the current standing of alcohol laws in Thailand, craft beer production remains illegal.

Brewers need to have a large amount of free cash in a bank account along with the production of 100kl of beer per year.

As this doesn’t fit the model for what makes craft beer so special, brewers have had to take a creative approach to beat the system.

Thai brewers are creating and brewing their beer outside of the country in places like Japan, Australia, and Laos before importing it to Thailand.

This, unfortunately, puts them in a tough situation of facing large import taxes that make the price for a bottle similar to western prices.

If you are a beer geek, it’s definitely worth a stop at one of the many new craft beer bars to try what the future of craft beer in Thailand tastes like.

Price of Beer in Thailand

Beer in Thailand is for the most part relatively cheap compared to the cost back home.

On the other hand, a 640ml bottle (21.64 ounces) will cost you more than a large bowl of noodles.

Thailand has levied a sin tax on all alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and sugary beverages leaving the prices a little higher than some of the neighboring countries minus Malaysia.

Even with this tax, you can have a great night out for well less than a craft six-pack back home.

When you want to wet your palette or need something to wash down some fiery chilies, try out one or all of the local beers and see which one you prefer.

• Chang (small bottle)       330ml – 39 to 90 Baht ($1.26 to $2.90 USD)
• Chang (large bottle)       640ml – 56 to 120 Baht ($1.81 to $3.87 USD)
• Singha (small bottle)      330ml – 40 to 95 Baht ($1.29 to $3.06 USD)
• Singha (large bottle)       640ml – 63 to 130 Baht ($2.03 to $4.19 USD)
• Leo (large bottle)            640ml – 39 to 120 Baht ($1.26 to $2.90 USD)
• Heineken (small bottle)   330ml – 50 to 110 Baht ($1.61 to $3.55 USD)
• Craft (draft pint)               475ml – 190 to 330 Baht ($6.13 to $10.64 USD)

Popular Thai Drinks

Whether you drink alcohol or not, sometimes you still want a fun drink that will help you deal with the heat in this tropical climate.

Thailand has a great lineup of non-alcoholic drinks that range from ultra nutritious to sweet and delicious.

With so many adventures to be had in Thailand, these beverages will fuel you for the fun times ahead.

Young Coconut

After hours of diving with sea turtles or feeding elephants, you will not only be thirsty but also dehydrated.

The perfect solution is self-contained inside of young coconuts right from the palm.

Coconut juice is rich in electrolytes and antioxidants while remaining low in calories.

This is nature’s sports drink and it’s actually better for you than the ones supposedly created by scientists.

Look for vendors selling coconuts that are stored on ice for a really refreshing treat.

Thai Red bull (Krating Daeng)

This is not the Red bull you drink at home! This noncarbonated mini version is in fact unrelated to the extreme sports drink that took the idea from this Thai version.

Although it comes in a smaller size than the western equivalent, it packs a much stronger punch with twice the caffeine and double the taurine.

There is no doubt that this peppy beverage will help anyone without a heart condition get through the dreaded jet lag with ease.

Thai Iced Tea (Cha Yen)

There is no beverage more synonymous with Thailand than Thai iced tea.

This simple mixture of Thai black tea and condensed milk is a perfect balance of bitter and sweet.

The tea itself is often spiced with tamarind, star anise, and cardamom adding a depth of flavor and a fragrant aroma.

If you have ever seen or drank cha yen before, you are probably wondering where that orange color comes from.

The tea is dyed that color with the addition of yellow #6.

Fruit Shakes

When in a country that produces a lot of tropical fruit, it might be a good idea to try as many as possible.

One of the best ways to sample Thailand’s bounty of nature’s desserts is in the liquid form.

All over the country and especially on any of the islands or coastal areas, you will find street carts and hawkers selling fruit shakes.

This usually consists of just fruit, ice, and simple syrup (sugar water).

Personally we prefer to get our shakes without sugar by saying “mai sai nam tam” (my-sigh-nam-tam) as the fruit is usually sweet enough.

If you want a special treat, ask for a mango shake (if in season) with sweetened condensed milk.

Most importantly, if they are not cutting the fruit to order, walk away, or ask them to cut it fresh for your shake.

Coffee Culture in Thailand

Coffee in Thailand comes in many forms from the ultra-sweet street cart variations to modern third-wave coffee shops that produce works of art in a cup.

Almost all of the coffee produced in Thailand is Robusta which is a lesser quality than Arabica beans that are coveted by coffee geeks worldwide.

Don’t get discouraged if you are one of these people as enough high-quality Arabica is produced in the northern part of the country for you to find a good cup in most major cities.

Coffee in Thailand

Oliang

O= black and liang translates to iced. This much-beloved coffee drink is easily found almost anywhere in Thailand.

It’s usually found served from street carts and small shophouses that are open from early morning to late at night in the bigger cities.

The Robusta beans are roasted first then corn, soybeans, sesame seeds, palm sugar, and sometimes cardamom are added and caramelized to make a complex roast.

They then brew the coffee mixture with a metal ringed coffee sock before getting poured over ice and mixed with sweetened condensed milk.

When trying this coffee for the first time, don’t be shocked if the coffee is served in a bag with a straw sticking out.

It might also be served in a plastic cup that will make even the largest size at the green emblemed coffee place back home look small.

Modern Coffee Shops

If you are like us chefs, we need our coffee to even consider waking up in the morning.

This coffee consumption continues throughout the day until it’s time to start the wind-down starts and the refreshments begin.

With coffee being such an important part of lives, it needs to be worth drinking and this is no exception while we are on the road.

Luckily, Thailand has been ramping up its coffee game over the last decade and a whole fleet of modern high-quality coffee shops are popping up across the country.

You can get a world-class cappuccino or a pour-over anywhere from Koh Chang to Chiang Mai.

Where there are digital nomads, there is bound to be a great coffee shop selling happiness in a cup for western prices.