ENG / THAI

THE HISTORY

Journey of a legendary Thai Spirit through centuries.



Scroll to Discover

1914, THE DISTILLERY OF THAI GOVERNMENT

“Bangyikhan” a well-known distillery, since the early Rattanakosin period was transferred to the government of Thailand under the supervision of the Excise Department, Ministry of Finance.

Bangyikhan distillery

The first management team

Bangyikhan distillery and first management team

1930s, THE ORIGIN OF THAI SPIRIT

To counter Thailand’s trade deficit from importing whiskies, the government created the first authentic Thai spirit.

THE KINGDOM’S ESSENCE

A new ‘special blended spirit’ was concocted using local herbs combined with traditional medicinal liquor recipes.

1941, THE BIRTH OF “MEKHONG”

Under the government of Field Marshal Plaek Pibulsongkram, Thailand demanded that four provinces located on the right side of the Mekhong River be returned from French occupation. This led to the Indochina war.

Luang Wichitwathakan, the then-Director-General of the Fine Arts Department composed “Kham Khong”, a patriotic song to remind Thai people of the four provinces as a part of Thailand.

Luang Wichitwathakan

The “Kham Khong” song became very popular and avidly instilled a patriotic sense into the hearts of Thai people.

The song became the source of inspiration to name the newly produced 35-degree special blended spirit “Mekhong”, at the time where there was a profound Thai spirit everywhere in the kingdom.

MEKHONG LEGACY

Over time, Mekhong has been available in a variety of packaging shapes and designs. Each packaging version has captured the characteristics and inspiring stories of Mekhong from past to present. The appearance may have changed, but its intrinsic values and unique taste have remained the same, always.

1941

The very first Mekhong bottle was in the same size
as a lemonade bottle with a cork stopper.

  • 1958

    The first packaging had a specified
    selling price indicated on it
    to prevent overpricing.

  • 1982

    The specially-priced green-cap
    series was produced as a fringe
    benefit to Thai soldiers and
    government employees.

  • 2001

    The label color was changed
    to yellow for better visibility.

2011

New Mekhong was launched
in Europe and USA.

Please enter your date of birth.

You have to be over 20 to enter this site.

Enter