By: Frank Cooke
The Association of South East Asia Nations (ASEAN) has informed Thailand that it must allow imports of beers brewed in its member countries. The Thai Government has had no choice but to accept.

As a result we expect Laos’s favourite beer, Beer Lao, to have a significant impact on the Thai beer market. The Lao Brewery has previously made several applications to the Thai Government requesting that it allow imports of its product. These have all been rejected, mainly due to powerful lobbying by the 2 major players in the Thai beer market; Thai Bev Corp. and Singha Corp., who between them control around 80% of beer sales in Thailand.

Singha market the top selling brand, Beer Leo (alc. by vol. 5.3). They also have a premium beer, Beer Singha (5.0)

Thai Bev brew Beer Chang (6.4) and a Light version (5.0). Within the last 3 years they have also introduced Beer Archa into the market to try to combat the increasingly popular Leo, but with no significant effect, although it is a nice drink.

Beer in Thailand is still relatively inexpensive. Beer Archa is the cheapest at 32 Baht for a 640 cl bottle, followed by Chang at 40 Baht, Leo at 45 Baht and Singha at 55 Baht.

Heineken brew their premium brand here in Thailand and is popular with those Thais who wish to flaunt their wealth, although I say so with tongue in cheek! But at 75 Baht it’s certainly beyond the pocket of most Thais.

With the Thai beer market opening up next year the two existing combatants will be hard pressed to maintain market share. Certainly the Lao Brewery produces an excellent light lager, which will enter the market at nearer 30 Baht than 40 Baht. It sells in Laos for about 6000 Kip, which translates to 24 Baht. The Singha Corp’s main hope must be the Leo drinkers remain faithful. Thai beer drinkers really would not be successful in a taste test as they fill the glass with ice, over which they pour chilled beer which is so cold when drunk that it numbs lips, mouth, tongue and gums; it’s just too cold to have any flavour.

Meanwhile we beer connoisseurs await the arrival in Thailand of the delightful Beer Lao.

Good backpacking.

Source: http://www.sneakerspub.com/article/backpackers-in-thailand-beer-lao-here-next-year/