What kinds of beer are there in Thailand?
I think beer is delicious in the scorching heat, and it’s also fun to see the campaign girls called “pretty” (พริตตี้) at beer gardens. Let’s have a beautiful and sexy “pretty” explain the main beers you can drink in Thailand.
**Singha Beer**
This is a sexy “pretty.” Singha is Thailand’s first domestically produced beer, born in 1933. The founder, Phya Bhirom Bhakdi, was an unusual entrepreneur who was originally a famous poet. The symbol depicted on the label is a lion from ancient Thai mythology.
There is a bird mark at the top, which is the Garuda, a divine bird, and it is an emblem that is displayed on items recognized by the royal family. Brewed from the first pressing, many Thais enjoy its unique stimulation and strong flavor.
**LEO Beer**
This is the well-known LEO beer, marked with a leopard symbol. In Thai, it is referred to as “Lio.” This is also a product of the Singha Corporation. In the 1990s, new emerging beers from other companies gained popularity due to their affordability and novelty, leading Singha to struggle. As a result, Singha created LEO beer as a new, reasonable brand. 
This strategy was successful, allowing them to maintain the support of their loyal fans for the traditional Singha brand while attracting a new customer base seeking affordability with LEO, all without altering the taste or lowering the price of Singha beer. LEO has a strong carbonation and a light flavor.
**Chang Beer**
“Chang” means “elephant” in Thai. The beer was newly launched in 1995 after the relaxation of beer manufacturing licenses, which had previously been limited to only two companies in the 1990s, allowing two new companies to enter the market.
Take a good look at this entire design. It is said to represent the smile and sunlight, which are symbols of Thailand. Indeed, when you think about it, it does look like a smiling face. Compared to Singha Beer, it has a milder taste and a light flavor that aims to enhance the unique sourness, sweetness, and spiciness of Thai cuisine without overpowering it.
In 2003, it surpassed Singha to capture a 60% market share. Perhaps because it is a later entrant, the promotional models often have a glamorous appearance and wear sexy outfits.
**Heineken**
Many foreign manufacturers have also made significant inroads into Thailand. Here is a promotional model for Heineken (from the Netherlands). Heineken is a staple in bar beer and go-go bars, which attract many tourists from America and Europe. In 2019, Thailand’s first non-alcoholic beer, “Heineken 0.0,” was launched.
**Tiger Beer**
One of the beers commonly seen in Thailand, but it is not produced by a Thai manufacturer. Tiger Beer is brewed and sold by “Asia Pacific Breweries,” a joint venture between Heineken and a Singaporean company. 
Founded in 1932, it is an old brand that is sold not only in Thailand but also in Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, China, and other countries.
**Budweiser**
Budweiser (from the USA) is also frequently seen in restaurants and bars in areas with many tourists from America and Europe. When it comes to Budweiser, the famous Bud Girls, known for their erotic body lines, come to mind. However, in Thailand, there are occasionally girls in some bars who wear that costume as part of cosplay, unrelated to Budweiser’s campaigns.
**Asahi Super Dry**
This is Asahi Super Dry from Japan. Its entry into Thailand was in 2002. At that time, domestic beers were strong in Thailand, while the premium beer category was being pushed by foreign brands. Therefore, the Boon Rawd Group, which produces Singha beer, requested to locally produce and sell Asahi Super Dry as a competitive foreign brand for the premium beer market in Thailand, leading to a partnership. Brewing began at the Khon Kaen Brewery, one of Singha’s beer factories.
**Kirin Ichiban Shibori**
In anticipation of the recent boom in Japanese cuisine in Thailand, we entered the market in 2013. To avoid the high Thai tariffs, it is also produced in Thailand rather than imported from Japan. Production started at the factory in Pathum Thani owned by San Miguel Brewery International, in which Kirin Beer holds a significant stake.
Which beer and which pretty outfit do you prefer? On a hot night in Thailand, let’s enjoy a chilled beer with ice, Thai-style, together with a cute Thai girl!
