“Is that the aroma of Thai herbs and spices I detect?” That’s your first clue. We’re about to explore the fascinating world of Thai spirits at \u0e1e\u0e34\u0e1e\u0e34\u0e18\u0e20\u0e31\u0e13\u0e11\u0e4c\u0e40\u0e2b\u0e25\u0e49\u0e32\u0e42\u0e1a\u0e23\u0e32\u0e13.
Welcome to the Museum of Liquors. Or as some know it, the House of Mekhong. This isn’t just a museum. It’s a journey into Thai history and culture told through the lens of its most famous distilled spirit.
\u0e1e\u0e34\u0e1e\u0e34\u0e18\u0e20\u0e31\u0e13\u0e11\u0e4c\u0e40\u0e2b\u0e25\u0e49\u0e32\u0e42\u0e1a\u0e23\u0e32\u0e13 offers more than just a peek into the world of alcohol production. It’s a portal. A portal to understanding local history. It reveals the heritage of Thailand’s first mass-produced whiskey.
Our tour begins with a short briefing. We’ll learn about the distillery’s background. We will also hear about its environmental and corporate social responsibility policies. Then we will virtually step inside the Bang Yi Khan Distillery II. Photography is usually not allowed inside the fermentation buildings. But today you are lucky because we have special permission.
See the molasses being mixed with water. It happens in a massive 330m³ tank. Nearby, glutinous rice ferments in a 160m³ tank. Yeast is added from a 44m³ propagation tank. The mixture rests for 72 hours. After that, the molasses is ready for distillation.
The distilling tower is next. It is designed to separate substances. Alcohol is separated from the mash. It then ages for different periods. This depends on the type of spirit being produced. Temperature and humidity are carefully controlled. This ensures high quality. The mash column sends its output to the pot still. This creates spirits with 50 to 70 percent alcohol. These spirits can be diluted with water. This makes mixed spirits called lao khao. These have 35 or 40 percent alcohol. It can also produce 31 percent alcohol.
This 31 percent alcohol is key. It’s used to create other mixed spirits. These are known as siang shoon. They undergo further processing. This enhances their quality. The 31 percent alcohol is mixed with a secret blend. It includes Thai herbs and spices and caramel. Sugar is added along with 35 percent alcohol. The 35 percent alcohol comes from the rectifying column. The final product is colored spirits. They are ready for bottling.
We’ll explore the history of Thai liquors. We will focus on those under the Mekhong brand. The Mekhong Riddles room has spirit bottles. Television screens pose questions about Thai liquors. The Legend of Sura and Thai Traditional Wisdoms Zone explains the Thai word sura. It means “liquor”.
This area links Thai liquors to Thai society. It shows their connection to tradition and beliefs. Old objects and ingredients are on display. They showcase the Thai wisdom in spirit production.
The History of Bang Yi Khan zone features artifacts. Rare pictures show the history of the distillery. It dates back two centuries. Older Thais may remember a poem by Sunthorn Phu. It mentions the distillery.
Sunthorn Phu described smoke rising from the distillery’s tower. He wrote during the early Rattanakosin era. He also mentioned the effects of heavy drinking. He noted that intoxication from liquor is less harmful than that from love.
A 3D projection mapping presentation tells the story. It reveals the people who helped Bang Yi Khan Distillery succeed. Mekhong was the first branded spirit in Thailand. It was named after the Mekong River.
The All-time Favorites zone showcases Thai liquor advertisements. It takes you back to 1941. That was the year of the brand’s birth. Since then, it has become part of Thai life. This happened through movies, ads, and its cartoon icon, Pong Neng.
The Legendary Secret Recipe room awaits. It’s filled with old equipment and Thai herbs. These ingredients create the unique flavors of Mekhong. You will learn about the master blenders. They fused the ingredients. They created the spirit’s unique notes.
Finally, we arrive at the Spirit of Thailand on Global Recognition Zone. Here, you will learn about the brand’s international acclaim. You might even get to taste Thai Sabai. It is a signature cocktail.
As we conclude our visit to \u0e1e\u0e34\u0e1e\u0e34\u0e18\u0e20\u0e31\u0e13\u0e11\u0e4c\u0e40\u0e2b\u0e25\u0e49\u0e32\u0e42\u0e1a\u0e23\u0e32\u0e13, remember Sunthorn Phu’s words. Savor the experience and the knowledge. But remember to drink responsibly.