Retirement Thailand

 

Other alcoholic drinks
In addition to these drinks, a variety of other homemade spirits can be found in Thailand, which reach only a local distribution.  Examples include ai koh from the province of Chonburi, which is produced from the sugar palm Blutensaft and roots, nam koh, and various kinds of lao daeng (dark / red liquor) made from dried spices, fresh herbs and roots.

 

Thai Alcohol

 

Mostly imported and monopolized liquor such as whiskey, cognac, brandy, wine and beer are preferred in the cities of Thailand.  In the rural areas there continues to be a preference for homemade and reasonably priced distillates, although their production is illegal in Thailand.

Also especially popular are lao khao, sato, drachae and uh. 
Among these four liquors, lao khao (or more frequently: "lao kao") a white liquor, is the only one that is actually distilled. 

Another very popular drink, obtained by fermentation in tonbottichen, is sato or lao nam khao, known as white water.  With the simplest means of which to produce large quantities, it is widespread in the country, with the exception of the south.  It is particularly enjoyed for major festivals and feasts, and on the edge of Buddhist ceremonies in the villages (weddings, cremations, etc.).

In large clay pots, tum ahng, cooked glutinous rice is mixed with yeast.  This mass is stored for days in sealed containers, until finally water is added.  In no time, the result is a milky white drink made from fermented rice with up to 20% alcohol by volume.

Krachae (also known has sam tan mau) has a long tradition, particularly in the central region of Thailand.  It is made from the juice of young flowers of the coconut palm or the palmyra (also called sugar or toddypalme - Borassus belliformis).  This juice is mixed with small chips of smoked fragrant woods.  After a few days, the brew bubbles begin to throw, and the beverage is drinkable.

The first batch of krachae, "krachae yood nam" (called top-krachae), is regarded as the best and is therefore the most coveted.  Then, more water is added so that the second and third lot, and all other subsequent lots become more and more diluted.  Krachae is distributed mainly in central and southern Thailand, where sugar and coconut trees are sufficiently available. 

Uh
Uh (also known as Lao uh), is popular in Isaan.  The drink is suspected to be of Laotian origin.  It has made the Renu Nakhon district in the province of Nakhon Phanom nationally famous. The production of uh is almost identical to that of sato.  The only difference is that herbs and spices will be added to the glutinous rice mixture.