Singha, Chang, Leo: which to pick?
| Beer | Style | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Singha | Pale lager, about 5% | The oldest, often slightly pricier, clean and mildly bitter taste |
| Leo | Pale lager | The country's best seller according to one source, light and cheap |
| Chang | Lager | Very common, low price; check the strength on the label |
The taste is close from one brand to another: if you hesitate, pick the coldest. Many Thais drink their beer with ice in the glass to keep it cold in the heat; this is normal.
Where to drink and at what price
- Convenience stores (7-Eleven, Family Mart): 35 to 50 THB for a can or small bottle; the cheapest option.
- Restaurants and street food: 80 to 150 THB for a large bottle, depending on the area.
- Tourist bars and rooftops: more expensive, sometimes 150 THB and up; see our rooftop bars in Bangkok.
- Craft beer: craft beer bars cluster in Sukhumvit and Thonglor, for example at The Commons (see Thonglor and Ekkamai).
Sales rules
In shops, alcohol is sold from 11am to midnight, never on Buddhist holy days; the legal age is 20. All the details are in our article on alcohol in Bangkok. Drink water between beers: heat and humidity tire you quickly (see too hot in Bangkok).
What to eat with beer
Thai beer is mostly drunk with spicy street food: grilled meats, som tam, noodle soups. For ideas, read our guide to street food in Bangkok; a street-food tour by tuk-tuk is a good way to taste several dishes in one evening.
