Boon Rawd Brewery
Thailand's first brewery, home of Singha beer.
Boon Rawd Brewery, Thailand’s first brewery, was founded in 1933 by Phraya Bhirom Bhakdi, who was born Boonrawd Sreshthaputra. The company is best known for its pale lager Singha, but also makes soft drinks and bottled water.
The brewery’s founder was born on 13 October 1872, the son of Pra Bhirom Bhakdi (Chom Sresthaputra). He was taught at home until age 11, then educated by Buddhist monks at a temple. As a teenager, he taught primary school, later worked as a clerk at a British-owned logging firm called A.J. Dickson, and then sold cars. His first business was a ferry service across the Chao Praya River linking Bangkok and Thonburi. It succeeded until competitors copied the idea, cutting his profits, and the government eventually built bridges across the river, forcing him to shut down. In 1929, he moved to open Thailand’s first brewery. After requesting and receiving governmental approval the following year, he toured Germany and Denmark to learn brewing. He built the brewery in 1933, and the first bottles were produced in 1934.
The name Singha comes from a mythological creature—an Asian lion in Hindu and Thai tales—chosen for its easy recognition. The Garuda on the bottle’s neck indicates royal approval, a privilege granted only to companies with a long, favorable reputation. Boon Rawd received this warrant on 25 October 1939, signed by King Rama VII’s Regent, and remains the only Thai brewery to hold it.
In 1994, Boon Rawd bought breweries in Hartmannsdorf and Mittweida, Saxony. Until 2001, those facilities produced Singha Gold for Europe under contract, though Singha beer itself was always brewed in Thailand. Today, all Singha brands are made only in Thailand.
The brewery remains under the management of the founder’s descendants, who use Bhirom Bhakdi as their family name. It employs 3,500 people across nine factories in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Singburi, Khon Kaen, Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, and Surat Thani. Boon Rawd produces beers including Singha, Leo, U, Snow, and Asahi, along with soda and drinking water. Its total capacity is one billion liters per year, and ten percent of its output is exported.
Quick Facts
- Founder
- Phraya Bhirom Bhakdi
- Hq Location
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Area Served
- Worldwide
- Key People
- Bhurit Bhirombhakdi, President & CEO
- Industry
- Beverage
- Products
- Alcoholic beverages · Aviation · Bottled water · Soft drinks
- Brands
- Singha, Leo, U, Asahi
- Num Employees
- 3,500
- Subsidiaries
- Singha Corporation
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Boon Rawd Brewery was founded in the early 1930s by Boonrawd Sreshthaputra, who had received the title of Phraya Bhirom Bhakdi from King Prajadhipok. The brewery remains under the management of his descendants, who use Bhirom Bhakdi as their family name. The Singha is an Asian lion, but in both Hindu and Thai traditional tales, it is a powerful mythological creature. It was chosen because it is an easily recognizable symbol. The Garuda on the bottle's neck shows Boonrawd Brewery's royal approval, which is granted only to companies with a long-standing favorable reputation. It received this on 25 October 1939, by a royal warrant signed by King Rama VII's Regent. Boon Rawd is the only brewery in Thailand to receive such a right.
In 1994, Boon Rawd Brewery bought a brewery in Hartmannsdorf and another in Mittweida, Saxony. Until 2001, these had produced Singha Gold for the European market under contract, although Singha beer itself has always been brewed in Thailand. Today, all Singha brands are only made in Thailand.
Phraya Bhirom Bhakdi was born as Boonrawd Sreshthaputra on 13 October 1872, son of Pra Bhirom Bhakdi (Chom Sresthaputra). He was taught by his father until age 11 when he was sent to a temple to be educated by Buddhist monks. He taught primary school while still in his teens, then became a clerk at A.J.Dickson, a British-owned logging company. He next sold cars, before embarking on his first business. He opened a ferry service across the Chao Praya River, linking Bangkok and Thonburi. All went well until others copied his idea, which reduced his profits. The government eventually built bridges across the river, and he shut down his ferries for good. In 1929, he moved to open Thailand's first brewery. The following year, he requested governmental approval. When it was granted, Boonrawd toured Germany and Denmark to learn how beer was made. He constructed his brewery in 1933, and the first bottles rolled off the assembly line in 1934.
Reader's Guide
Boon Rawd Brewery holds a foundational place in Thai brewing history as the country's first brewery. Its flagship brand, Singha, is a pale lager that has become widely recognized both domestically and internationally. The brewery's royal warrant, granted in 1939, underscores its long-standing reputation and is a distinction held by no other Thai brewery. The founder's journey from ferry operator to brewer, including his study tours of Germany and Denmark, reflects the deliberate effort behind establishing modern beer production in Thailand. Today, Boon Rawd operates nine factories across Thailand with a capacity of one billion liters per year, employing 3,500 people. Ten percent of its production is exported. The brewery also produces other beer brands such as Leo, U, Snow, and Asahi, as well as soda and drinking water. Its continued family management and the symbolic use of the Singha and Garuda on its bottles connect the brand to Thai cultural and royal traditions.
Did You Know?
- Boon Rawd Brewery was the first brewery to open in Thailand.
- Founder Phraya Bhirom Bhakdi toured Germany and Denmark to learn brewing before building his brewery.
- The Garuda on Singha bottles indicates royal approval, a right granted only to Boon Rawd among Thai breweries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Boon Rawd Brewery?
Boon Rawd Brewery is Thailand's first brewery, established in 1933 by Phraya Bhirom Bhakdi (born Boonrawd Sreshthaputra). It is best known as the maker of Singha pale lager, though it also produces soft drinks and bottled water.
What is Boon Rawd Brewery's flagship beer?
Singha, a pale lager, is the brewery's signature product and its most recognizable brand around the world. It has become one of Thailand's most iconic beer labels.
What was the founder's background before starting the brewery?
Phraya Bhirom Bhakdi (born 1872) was educated by Buddhist monks after being home-schooled, then worked as a primary-school teacher, a clerk at the British logging firm A.J. Dickson, and a car salesman. His first venture into business was a ferry service across the Chao Phraya River.
How large is Boon Rawd Brewery's production operation today?
The company runs nine factories with a combined annual capacity of roughly one billion liters and employs about 3,500 people. Approximately 10% of its output is shipped to export markets.
Why is Boon Rawd Brewery significant in Thai brewing history?
As the first brewery ever established in Thailand, it laid the groundwork for the country's modern beer industry. Its Singha brand has since grown into a cultural touchstone and a major contributor to the nation's beverage exports.
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