SANGSOM: THAILAND’S MOONLIGHT SPIRIT WITH A KICK AND A STORY

If you’ve backpacked through Thailand, danced at a Full Moon Party or been handed a mysterious plastic bucket filled with something sweet and sinister, chances are you’ve already met SangSom.

Born in 1977, SangSom (แสงโสม), which poetically translates to “Moonlight”, is Thailand’s most iconic homegrown spirit. Despite being labeled as a rum, SangSom walks a fine line between molasses-based rum and Thai-style liquor, with a taste as complex as a Bangkok street market.

The story begins with Chin Sophonpanich, a prominent Thai businessman who wanted to craft a premium liquor that could stand shoulder to shoulder with the best international spirits while still being accessible to the average Thai. Within five years SangSom had done just that, racking up gold medals in Spain and Germany. Mr Chin Sophonpanich wasted no time proudly printing them on the label like a parent slapping honor student stickers on a minivan.

But let’s be real: most people’s first memory of SangSom doesn’t involve award-winning tasting notes. It involves a bucket, two straws and the sudden realization that you may have danced barefoot on a table in Koh Phangan.

So What Does It Actually Taste Like?

SangSom is lightly aged (3–5 years) in oak barrels and made from sugarcane molasses. It has a sweet, caramelized base with notes of vanilla, spice and a whiff of burnt sugar. 

Smooth? Somewhat. 

Dangerous? Absolutely.

It’s often mixed with soda, Coke, or Thai energy drinks like M-150. 

Some call it a cocktail; others call it a countdown to questionable decisions.

A National Treasure (with a Hangover)

Despite the laughs SangSom holds a beloved place in Thai culture. It’s the drink of celebration, of nights that turn into mornings, of locals and travelers bonding over shared sips and wild stories.

At Hidden Thaiger all our signature cocktails are SangSom based, served in proper glassware rather than plastic cups and crafted to pair with our authentic Thai cuisine. 

So settle in. 

Order a signature cocktail. 

Order two.