ThailandThis article has been translated from Russian language using an artificial intelligence-based translation algorithm. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the quality of the translation. You can read the original of this article in Russian here, and ask questions on the topic of our travel forum in English here.
Thailand is not one of those countries where alcohol is strictly prohibited for ethical or religious reasons. You can buy alcoholic beverages of all kinds of brands and types here completely freely in any store, order in a bar or cafe. In general, everything is the same as at home.
The local population also enjoys drinking alcohol, and sometimes even more actively than tourists. It is said that Thais are much more prone to alcoholism than Europeans. Whether this is true or not, we don't know for sure, but, anyway, to see a Thai man with glass eyes staggering from side to side is not such a rarity.
In this regard, exercise caution. It is better not to drink alcohol together with Thais, do not get into disputes and conflicts with drunk locals. There are many stories known when tipsy Thais became so inadequate that it ended in stabbing and shooting.
Therefore, the Thai government has taken up the "de-alcoholization" of the population, which is why there are some restrictions on the sale of alcohol. Read more about all alcoholic issues in Thailand:
Bans and restrictions on the sale of alcohol in Thailand
- You can sell alcoholic beverages at retail in Thailand only from 11:00 to 14:00 and from 17:00 to 24:00. Of course, the law is strictly enforced only in stores with automatic cash registers, and in small shops you can buy it at any time, however, it turns out that this is potentially illegal. Also in cafes, restaurants and bars they pour without restrictions
- Entertainment centers (bars, clubs, etc.) have the right to sell alcohol only from 21:00 to 24:00.
- In 2015, an additional restriction was introduced on the sale of alcohol in any form at a distance of less than 300 meters to educational institutions.
- Sometimes a complete ban is imposed on the sale of alcohol throughout the country due to particularly important events, usually elections and religious holidays. The authorities notify about the beginning of such "bans" for the sale of alcohol in advance, so you can buy hot stuff in stores in advance.
Where can I buy alcohol in Thailand
It is most profitable to buy alcoholic beverages in large chain supermarkets like Big-C, Lotus's Go Fresh, Makro, Tops. In smaller stores, prices are higher, but not much. Alcohol is already noticeably more expensive for hawkers on the beaches, but their assortment is mostly just cold beer.
In cafes and restaurants, the mark-up on alcoholic beverages is not as strong as when compared with Russia. In our experience, the mark-up for beer in a cafe is rarely more than half of the cost of a supermarket. But in nightclubs and bars, prices are several times higher than store prices.
Read more about the prices of individual drinks below.
What kind of alcohol can you buy in Thailand and prices in 2023
The range of alcoholic beverages in Thailand is huge. In any store you can find imported drinks: Scotch whisky, Italian wine, Russian vodka, French liqueurs, in general, anything your heart desires. We also offer a large selection of local alcoholic beverages at very low prices (below are prices in supermarkets):
-
Thai beer
This is the most popular drink, and has rightfully earned the love of Russian-speaking tourists. Thai beer is even exported. True, if you delve into the details, it turns out that some of the most popular beer brands do not actually belong to Thailand, but to Singapore, but this does not affect the taste and price in any way. It is sold in bottles mainly of 0.64 liters, sometimes in cans of 0.33. In a plastic container of 1.5 liters. or any other is not sold at all.
The most popular brands are Singha, Tiger, Chang, Leo. The cost starts from 60 baht per bottle of 0.64liters. (approximately 1.85 rubles, see the currency of Thailand and its exchange rate), and 40 baht for 0.33l. Sometimes you can find on sale in large supermarkets a very inexpensive promotional beer Archa, Chang or Leo at a price of 50 baht for 0.64L.
Tai without beer - money is wasted -
Thai rum
Thailand produces excellent rum, and even exports it. The most popular and high-quality brand is Sang Som. It is sold in almost any supermarket and in 7-eleven stores. Costs from 140 baht for a small bottle of 0.33 liters. (approximately 4.32 rub).
Thai rum Sang Som in company with local whiskey -
Thai whiskey
Whiskey in Thailand is of good quality, and costs several times cheaper than imported. However, it is worth noting that "good" in this case means only the good quality of the alcohol itself in the drink. As for the taste and aroma, for some reason there is no traditional oak aroma and taste in Thai whiskey, they smell like nothing at all. And some types of whiskey, such as Red Cock and Black Cock, are generally transparent in color, sweet in taste and have a sweet aroma, but definitely not similar to oak. Here are the popular brands:
- Blend – from 350 baht for 0.7 liters. / 10.79 rubles
- Hong Thong – from 139 baht for 0.33l. / 4.28 rubles
- Mekong – from 139 baht for 0.33l. / 4.28 rub .. This is the legendary local whiskey on herbs, but it tastes disgusting and will give you a headache.
- Black Cock - from 85 baht per bottle 0.33l / 2.62 rubles
- Red Cock - from 155 baht per 0.7l bottle / 4.78 rubles
- Lao Khao – from 61 baht for 0.33l. / 1.88 rub., and from 114 baht for 0.7l. / 1.88 rub . This is the cheapest alcohol, which is called rice whiskey here. But by smell and taste it's just moonshine with a disgusting smell of mash, and very painful sensations in the morning
Like Thai whiskey: smelly Lao Khao and sweet Black Cock -
Siam Sato Rice Wine
This drink, which they decided to "mark" separately, because it really can not be attributed to either real wine or whiskey. At the same time, it is sold Siam Sato on the shelves next to and in the refrigerator with beer. This is a low-alcohol rice drink with a strength of 6.5%, i.e. this is like a strong beer or a weak wine. It tastes a little sweet and even a little like champagne, and, in general, it is quite good to drink, especially if you drink chilled. Try it for sure, and then you can decide for yourself whether you like it or not. Moreover, it is inexpensive by local standards, quite inexpensive, starting from 36 baht per 0.62 liter bottle (approximately 1.11 USD). It's just a pity that the Thais didn't think to make it carbonated, otherwise it would have been a "bomb" in general.
Siam Sato Rice Wine -
Thai wines
Thai wine, with rare exceptions, is not tasty. The best wines of Thailand are considered to be made from grapes grown in the vicinity of Hua Hin, this is the Monsoon Valley brand. Another interesting drink is Fresco fruit wine from 270 baht for 0.7 liters., is it about 8.32 rubles.
Monsoon Valley from Hua Hin -
Exotic drinks
Rarely in Thailand you can find exotic tinctures on different roots, herbs, insects and reptiles. Usually it is an infusion of the cheapest varieties of purchased alcohol, and is not consumed by locals, but is intended for sale to tourists. You can drink such drinks (tested), but in small quantities. When you drink a little, you can then refill the bottle with whiskey or cognac. Cost from 200 baht (6.16 USD) for a small bottle, but the price is different everywhere, and you can bargain.
And it's up to you to decide whether to try it or not
In total, what are the prices of alcohol in Thailand:
| Beer | from 50 baht for 0.64 liters. / from 35 baht for 0.33 liters. |
| Rum | from 140 baht for 0.33 liters. |
| Whiskey | from 61 baht for 0.33 liters. (very bad whiskey), and from 140 ba for 0.33 liters. for more or less acceptable in taste and quality. |
| Wine | from 270 baht for 0.7 liters. |
Is it possible to drink alcohol on the streets of Thailand
You can drink alcoholic beverages in Thailand on the street. There is no strict ban on use in public places, like in Russia. However, according to Thai laws, consumption is prohibited in certain places: gas stations, temples, hospitals, pharmacies, educational institutions, public recreation parks. Moreover, even from these restrictions there are many exceptions. So you can safely drink alcohol in any reasonable place in Thailand, and no one will touch you, but as a maximum will make a remark. If in doubt, you can read the full text of the relevant law of 2008 in English - Alcoholic_Beverage_Control_Act,_BE_2551_(2008).
How much alcohol can be imported to Thailand
Customs rules of Thailand set a limit of 1 liter of alcohol per person. This includes beer and wine. Everything that is above the norm is withdrawn. In practice, this happens very rarely, and most tourists quite calmly pass through the green customs corridor without inspection, and carry more alcohol with them.
How much alcohol can I take out of Thailand
Customs rules do not impose restrictions on the export of alcohol, i.e. take out as much as you want from here. But in the Russian Federation it is possible to import no more than 3 liters of alcohol (including beer or wine) per person without paying a duty. Everything over 3 liters is paid with a fee of 10 Euros per 1 liter, but not more than 5 liters in total. Anything more than 5 liters per person will be seized and "destroyed" by customs officers.