In general, tap water is not drinkable, being the rule the use of bottled water (naam plao). When eating out, water is usually safe, always at least boiled (naam tom). Ice (naam khaeng) habitually comes packaged and is safe.

THAI FOOD
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Fruit juices made of exotic fruits are very popular and in such a great variety, a huge variety of fruits appear in the figure of pure fruit juice. Thais frequently add some salt to their fruit juices (a taste that you might learn to like); Thais also like to include basil seeds in their juice.

Coconut water (ma-phrao) iced and drunk directly is a great way to fresh the body, Thai iced tea is one of the most characteristic drinks in Thailand; the iced tea is always strong and sweet, and habitually served with a bit of condensed milk.

Drinking alcohol is permitted in Thailand, but on national holidays, religious celebrations, Election Day’s alcohol sales are prohibited altogether and drinks can not be served. Many supermarkets will sell wines and spirits, wines are priced high. Thai brandy, called whisky or rum, is actually tasty and very cheap; the best known being is the Mae Khong brand and its competitor Saeng Som.

Many villages produce their home-distilled alcohol (lao thuean), which is illegal, but nobody seems to mind very much, if you are likely invited to sample some, it is polite to at least take a sip. There are two main local beers: Singha (pronounced Sing) and Chang. Other brands available today are Tiger, Heineken, Kloster and Leo. Thais like their beer with relatively high alcohol content (around 6%).

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