Discover Thailand Through Its Drinks

Thailand offers a fascinating array of beverages beyond the familiar Thai iced tea. From ancient herbal remedies to modern craft beers, exploring local drinks provides insight into Thai culture, climate, and creativity. Stay hydrated and adventurous with this guide to Thai beverages.

Classic Thai Beverages

Thai Iced Tea (Cha Yen)

The iconic orange drink found at every Thai restaurant.

• Ingredients: Strong black tea, star anise, condensed milk, evaporated milk
• Price: 25-50 THB
• Best Enjoyed: Afternoon, with spicy food
• Caffeine Level: Moderate to high
• Variations: Cha Dam Yen (without milk), Cha Manao (with lime)

Thai Iced Coffee (Oliang/Kafae Yen)

Traditional Thai coffee with a distinctive flavor.

Type	Description	Price
Oliang	Black coffee, sometimes with soy	20-35 THB
Kafae Yen	Iced coffee with condensed milk	35-60 THB
Kafae Ron	Hot Thai coffee	25-40 THB

Where to Find: Street vendors, traditional coffee shops, market stalls

Fresh Coconut Water (Nam Maprao)

The ultimate natural refreshment in tropical Thailand.

• Price: 30-60 THB for whole coconut
• Best Places: Beach vendors, markets, street stalls
• Health Benefits: Natural electrolytes, hydration
• Tip: Young green coconuts are sweetest

Fruit Smoothies and Juices

Fresh Fruit Shakes (Nam Pan)

Available at virtually every market and tourist area.

Popular Fruits:

• Mango (Mamuang) - 35-60 THB
• Pineapple (Sapparot) - 30-50 THB
• Papaya (Malakor) - 30-50 THB
• Passion Fruit (Saowarot) - 40-60 THB
• Watermelon (Taengmo) - 25-40 THB
• Mixed Fruit - 40-70 THB

Exotic Fruit Options

Fruit	Thai Name	Flavor Profile	Season
Mangosteen	Mang Khut	Sweet, citrusy	May-Sep
Rambutan	Ngo	Sweet, grape-like	May-Sep
Longan	Lamyai	Sweet, musky	Jun-Aug
Dragon Fruit	Gao Mung Gorn	Mild, refreshing	Year-round
Durian	Turian	Rich, custard-like	Apr-Aug

Traditional Herbal Drinks

Common Herbal Beverages

Chrysanthemum Tea (Nam Gek Huay)

• Cooling properties, popular in summer
• Price: 15-30 THB
• Found at Chinese-Thai restaurants and markets

Roselle Juice (Nam Gra Jiab)

• Deep red hibiscus drink
• Tart and refreshing
• Price: 20-40 THB
• Rich in vitamin C

Lemongrass Tea (Nam Takrai)

• Digestive aid, calming
• Served hot or cold
• Price: 20-40 THB
• Common at spas and health-focused venues

Bael Fruit Juice (Nam Matoom)

• Traditional Thai medicine
• Sweet and earthy
• Price: 20-35 THB
• Good for digestion

Herbal Drinks at 7-Eleven

• Rang Jued - Detox herbal drink (15-25 THB)
• Ya Dong - Traditional herbal tonics
• Bottled Chrysanthemum - Ready-to-drink (15-25 THB)

Alcoholic Beverages

Thai Beers

Brand	ABV	Price (Bottle)	Notes
Singha	5%	50-80 THB	Most famous Thai beer
Chang	5.2%	45-70 THB	Popular, stronger
Leo	5%	40-60 THB	Lighter option
Beer Lao	5%	50-80 THB	From Laos, widely available

Craft Beer Scene: Growing in Bangkok and Chiang Mai

• Price: 150-300 THB per bottle
• Popular spots: Sukhumvit area, Thonglor, Nimman Road

Thai Whisky and Spirits

Mekhong

• First Thai whisky brand (rum-based)
• Price: 200-400 THB per bottle
• Best with soda and lime

Sangsom

• Most popular Thai rum
• Price: 180-350 THB per bottle
• Base for many cocktails

Hong Thong

• Budget-friendly option
• Price: 150-250 THB per bottle

Traditional Rice Whisky (Lao Khao)

• Moonshine-style spirit from rural areas
• Very strong (40%+ alcohol)
• Price: Very cheap (100-200 THB)
• Drink responsibly - quality varies

Non-Alcoholic Specialty Drinks

Butterfly Pea Flower Drinks

Nam Dok Anchan - Beautiful blue color that changes to purple with lime.

• Found at trendy cafes and some street vendors
• Price: 40-80 THB
• Instagram favorite
• Caffeine free, subtle earthy flavor

Sugarcane Juice (Nam Oi)

• Freshly pressed from sugarcane
• Price: 20-40 THB
• Best when mixed with lime
• Find at market stalls with mechanical presses

Soy Milk (Nam Tao Hu)

• Fresh and often warm
• Price: 15-30 THB
• Sold by street vendors morning hours
• Options: Plain, sweetened, with black sesame

Where to Find Drinks

Street Vendors

Best for: Fresh coconuts, fruit shakes, traditional coffee

• Price: Cheapest option
• Quality: Usually excellent if busy
• Tip: Point and smile works well

Convenience Stores (7-Eleven)

Available drinks:

• Bottled water (7-15 THB)
• Soft drinks (15-25 THB)
• Iced coffee (25-45 THB)
• Energy drinks (15-30 THB)
• Beer and low-proof alcohol

Cafes and Coffee Shops

Growing cafe culture in Thailand:

• Bangkok: Specialty coffee booming
• Chiang Mai: Artisanal local roasts
• Price: 60-150 THB for specialty drinks
• Chains: Amazon, Cafe Inthanin, Starbucks

Bars and Nightlife

• Beer bars: 60-150 THB per drink
• Rooftop bars: 300-600 THB per cocktail
• Nightclubs: 150-400 THB per drink
• Happy hours: 5-8 PM common

Drinking Water Safety

Safe Water Options

• Bottled water: Always safe (7-20 THB)
• Filtered water: In quality hotels and restaurants
• Ice: Generally safe in tourist areas (made from purified water)

What to Avoid

• Tap water for drinking
• Ice from unknown sources in very rural areas
• Unsealed bottled water

Useful Thai Phrases for Ordering Drinks

English	Thai	Pronunciation
Water	น้ำเปล่า	Nam plao
Ice	น้ำแข็ง	Nam kaeng
No ice	ไม่เอาน้ำแข็ง	Mai ao nam kaeng
Less sweet	หวานน้อย	Wan noi
No sugar	ไม่ใส่น้ำตาล	Mai sai nam tan
Cold	เย็น	Yen
Hot	ร้อน	Ron
One more	อีกแก้ว	Eek gaew
Cheers!	ชนแก้ว	Chon gaew

Seasonal Drink Recommendations

Hot Season (March-May)

• Fresh coconut water
• Fruit smoothies with ice
• Roselle juice
• Young coconut ice cream shake

Rainy Season (June-October)

• Hot ginger tea
• Thai coffee (hot or iced)
• Warm soy milk

Cool Season (November-February)

• Hot Thai tea
• Lemongrass tea
• Hot cocoa (common in Northern Thailand)

Health and Safety Notes

Alcohol Regulations

• Legal drinking age: 20 years
• Alcohol sales prohibited: 2-5 PM, midnight-11 AM (varies)
• Buddhist holidays: Alcohol sales banned
• No drinking in public parks or temples

Hydration Tips

• Drink more water than usual in Thai heat
• Coconut water is excellent for electrolytes
• Avoid excessive alcohol in hot weather
• Carry water bottle when sightseeing

Emergency Contacts

• Tourist Police: 1155
• Emergency: 191
• Medical: 1669

Thai Beverage Checklist

• Try authentic Thai iced tea from a street vendor
• Drink fresh coconut water on the beach
• Sample a mango smoothie at a market
• Taste traditional Oliang coffee
• Try butterfly pea flower drink
• Experience a Thai beer with dinner
• Sample roselle or chrysanthemum tea
• Order drinks using Thai phrases
• Visit a Bangkok rooftop bar
• Try freshly pressed sugarcane juice

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