Thailand is famous as a place for unforgettable entertainment and parties. Alcoholic beverages in Thailand are known for their high quality, excellent taste, and low prices.
You can buy alcohol both in large supermarkets (Tesco, Big-C, Makro) and in small shops or entertainment venues. However, the time restrictions are not always followed in small shops, especially in tourist areas like Pattaya and Phuket. For example, in 7-Eleven stores, alcohol is sold at any time of day.
| Name | in dollars | in baht |
|---|---|---|
| Chang Beer | 1.54 USD | 50 baht |
| Singha Beer | 1.54 USD | 50 baht |
| Leo Beer | 1.54 USD | 50 baht |
| Sang Som Rum (small) | 4.31 USD | 140 baht |
| Sang Som Rum (0.7 liters) | 9.23 USD | 300 baht |
| Hong Thong Whiskey (small) | 4.00 USD | 130 baht |
| Hong Thong Whiskey (0.7 liters) | 9.23 USD | 300 baht |
| Mekhong Whiskey (0.5 liters) | 4.62 USD | 150 baht |
| Fresco Wine | 3.69 USD | 120 baht |
| Bacardi Breezer | 1.54 USD | 50 baht |
Thai rum and whiskey
All tourists who visit Thailand for lively fun praise Thai strong alcoholic drinks. Thailand sells beverages of world-famous brands, but it is much more interesting to try something locally produced, as enjoying local food and drinks is one of the best parts of the vacation.
The most famous Thai spirits are:
- Sang Som rum;
- Hong Thong;
- Blend whiskey.
Sang Som
The authentic Thai rum Sang Som, popular among tourists, has been produced since the late 1970s. The production volume exceeds 70 million liters per year, but only a small part of this amount is exported.
Despite this, the drink is in demand among both locals and Europeans — and even receives high awards.
The rum has a strength of 40 degrees. Sang Som is made from natural ingredients and does not contain artificial flavorings. It has a strong spicy aroma and a smooth taste. The drink is sold in bottles of 0.35 liters (approximately 130–150 baht) and 0.7 liters (about 270–300 baht). Rum is often sold in interesting gift packaging, making it a great souvenir.
Hong Thong
Hong Thong is quite an unusual alcoholic beverage. The ingredients used to make it are not cane (like rum) and not malt from wheat or corn (like whiskey), but Thai rice and yeast. As for its taste, experts say it is somewhat rougher than Sang Som, but many tourists find it acceptable.
The drink has a strength of 35 degrees. Hong Thong is sold in 0.3-liter bottles (about 130 baht) and 0.7-liter bottles (around 240 baht).
Blend
Blend 285 is a single-malt whiskey popular among both Thais and tourists. Locals usually drink it mixed with soda water, while tourists choose either classic or experimental combinations.
Blend is sold in almost every shop or entertainment venue. Its strength is 35 degrees. A 0.7-liter bottle costs around 250 baht. Many tourists praise this drink — although it is more expensive than some others, it offers good quality and taste.
Prices for alcohol in Thailand:
Thai beer: Singha, Leo, Chang
Beer is a popular drink in Thailand, and many people drink it even during New Year’s instead of the champagne typical for Russian-speaking tourists.
All popular local beer brands are light lagers — dark beers are not produced in Thailand. The most known brands are:
- Singha (meaning “lion”);
- Leo;
- Chang (meaning “elephant”).
Thai beer is sold mostly in bottles of 0.33 liters or 0.64 liters, with prices starting from 35–40 baht for a small bottle and 48–55 baht for a large one.
Singha
The drink has a strength of 5 degrees, with a lighter version — Singha Light at 3.5 degrees. Production has been running since the early 1930s. It is the most popular and one of the most expensive beers in Thailand — about 50 baht per bottle. Singha has a malty sweetness and a slightly bitter aftertaste.
Leo
Leo is one of the cheapest Thai alcoholic beverages. It has a strength of 3.5 degrees and a soft taste with a weak hop note. Unlike Singha, it has no bitterness, but rather a slight sourness.
Chang
A younger brand (only about 10 years), but very popular. Several varieties are produced under this name: the classic beer has a strength of 6.4 degrees, while Chang Light contains only 4.2 degrees.
The varieties also differ in taste. The classic version has a thick, slightly sweet flavor and a strong aftertaste.
Prices for beer and low-alcohol beverages:
Low-alcohol drinks
Low-alcohol cocktails are also common in Thailand. There are classic flavors (such as Cuba Libre) and sweet fruit cocktails.
One of the most popular sweet low-alcohol drinks is Bacardi Breezer. It is sold in 0.33-liter bottles and costs around 50 baht.
Bacardi Breezer, being part of a global brand, is a high-quality drink. It also offers a wide range of flavors — from citrus to grape and mixed berry.
Wine
In large supermarkets you can buy wines from all over the world, and although Thai wine cannot be considered among the best globally, those who want to try local alcohol will find several interesting options:
- Siam Winery;
- Chateau de Loei;
- Fresco.
Siam Winery
Siam Sato wine from Siam Winery is a truly Thai drink. It is made from rice and sold in 0.6-liter bottles for about 32 baht. The bottles are easy to confuse with beer bottles, so pay attention when buying.
Its strength is around 7 degrees, it is slightly carbonated and has a soft, sweetish taste. This drink is definitely worth trying if you are interested in traditional Thai beverages.
Chateau de Loei
The very first Thai wine that is exported to several countries.
A standard bottle costs around 200–300 baht. The winery produces several varieties: red, white, and rosé wines, each offering a fairly pleasant taste for Thai production.
Fresco
Thai fruit wine made from apples, berries, or exotic mangosteen. It is quite cheap: a standard bottle costs around 170 baht. Fresco has a light taste and is very refreshing in hot weather, especially when served with ice.
How much alcohol you can take out of Thailand
A tourist who has tried many Thai drinks may want to take a few bottles home. There are important rules regarding both exporting alcohol from Thailand and (more importantly) importing it into Russia.
You can take out up to three liters of strong alcohol per person. If you want to export more — up to five liters — you must pay ten dollars for each additional liter. Exporting more than five liters is not allowed because Russia does not permit importing more than this amount.
Another nuance is related to Thai customs rules concerning souvenirs and materials. It is prohibited to export bone from Thailand, and some souvenir alcohol bottles have bone stoppers. So when buying, pay attention not only to the packaging but also to whether exporting such a bottle will violate Thai law.
The conclusion is simple: not everyone will like every Thai alcoholic beverage, but the variety is so large that every tourist will definitely find something they enjoy.
