Mekhong (spirit)

Bangyikhan Liquor Distillery) was transferred to the government of Thailand to be under the supervision of the Excise Department, Ministry of Finance.

The department then opened a bidding for a concession to raise money for the treasury and authorized the bidder to produce and distribute spirits within a specified area.

Later, the Excise Department concocted another blended spirit using herbs combined with a traditional medicated liquor recipe.

Under the government of Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkram, Thailand demanded that four provinces located on the right side of the Mekong River be returned from French occupation.

Such a dramatic effect influenced the Excise Department to use "Mekhong" to name the 35-degree special blended spirit that was newly produced in 1941.

[1] Mekhong Rum is mentioned several times on the album Hell's Ditch by The Pogues, along with other common Thai drinks.