Quick facts
| Founded | 1976 (Thai Krating Daeng); 1987 (Western Red Bull launch) |
|---|---|
| Country | Thailand |
| Made by | T.C. Pharmaceutical Industries (Krating Daeng); Red Bull GmbH (Western) |
| Dietary status | Non-carbonated (Thai); contains caffeine, taurine, B-vitamins; check pack for halal status |
About Red Bull Thai
Krating Daeng (Thai for "red gaur", a wild bovine native to Southeast Asia) was created in 1976 by Thai businessman Chaleo Yoovidhya at T.C. Pharmaceutical Industries, originally for Thai labourers and truck drivers who needed energy to get through long working hours. Austrian entrepreneur Dietrich Mateschitz discovered the drink in the mid-1980s while travelling for work, partnered with Chaleo to adapt it for Western markets, and launched the carbonated, lower-caffeine Western Red Bull in 1987. The Thai original remains a non-carbonated, syrupy drink with a richer taste and higher concentration. The gold-can 250ml and glass-bottle 145ml formats are the most-collected Thai original variants.
The Red Bull Thai range we stock
Five Thai Red Bull variants covering the original Krating Daeng and select Thai-only flavours.
| Variant | Profile |
|---|---|
| Krating Daeng Gold Can 250ml | The classic 1976 Thai original. Non-carbonated, syrupy, richer than Western Red Bull |
| Krating Daeng Glass Bottle 145ml | The original glass-bottle format. Most collectible Thai variant |
| Red Bull Thai Apple Muscat Grape 250ml | Thai-only fruit variant. Apple, muscat grape and berry profile |
| Red Bull Thai Summer Berries 250ml | Mixed-berry flavour variant. Released for Thai summer markets |
| Red Bull Thai Pomelo 250ml | Pomelo (Southeast Asian citrus fruit) flavour. Sweet-tart citrus profile |
Ingredients and allergens
Standard Thai Krating Daeng contains water, cane sugar, caffeine, taurine, inositol, niacinamide (B3), pyridoxine HCl (B6), cyanocobalamin (B12), and natural and artificial flavourings. The original Thai formula uses around 50mg of caffeine per 100ml (versus 32mg per 100ml in Western Red Bull), making it noticeably stronger per unit volume. The Thai version is also non-carbonated, where Western Red Bull is carbonated. Most variants are vegetarian-suitable. Some Thai Red Bull variants are formally halal certified due to the Thai domestic market having a significant Muslim consumer base, but always check the specific pack. Contains caffeine: not for children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or anyone sensitive to caffeine. Always check the back of each individual can or bottle.
Who Red Bull Thai imports are for
Original-recipe seekers: the Thai Krating Daeng is the 1976 original that the global Red Bull empire was built on. Shoppers who want to taste the authentic original (rather than the Western adaptation) come specifically for the gold can or glass bottle.
Higher-caffeine energy drink users: at 50mg caffeine per 100ml versus 32mg in Western Red Bull, the Thai original delivers a more concentrated caffeine hit per millilitre. The smaller 145ml glass bottle still contains significant caffeine despite the lower volume.
Thai food and culture enthusiasts: Red Bull Thai sits alongside other Thai imports as part of the cultural picture. Pair with our imported drinks range for varied Southeast Asian beverage selections.
Energy drink pick-and-mix builders: the smaller-format Thai bottles work as a punctuation point in mixed energy-drink selections. Pair with our Monster Energy range for varied caffeine and flavour profiles across the box.
Buy Red Bull Thai online in the UK
Build your basket from across the Red Bull Thai range and our wider imported drinks selection to qualify for free UK delivery over £20. Red Bull Thai pairs especially well with our Monster Energy imports and the broader American drinks range. Order before our daily cut-off for same-day dispatch.
Red Bull Thai: frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Thai Red Bull and Western Red Bull?
Thai Red Bull (Krating Daeng) is the 1976 original. It is non-carbonated, syrupy-textured, more concentrated, and uses cane sugar with around 50mg of caffeine per 100ml. Western Red Bull launched in 1987 as a carbonated, lower-caffeine adaptation for European markets with around 32mg of caffeine per 100ml. The Thai version has a richer, sweeter taste described by many drinkers as closer to a cough syrup than a soft drink. Both come from the same brand family but are genuinely different products.
Is Thai Red Bull halal?
Some Thai Red Bull variants carry formal halal certification because Thailand's domestic market includes a significant Muslim consumer base, particularly in the southern provinces. The exact certification varies by batch and by import route, so check the specific can or bottle. The recipe contains no obvious haram ingredients (no alcohol, no pork-derived ingredients) regardless of certification status. For other formally halal-certified drinks, see our halal sweets range.
What does "Krating Daeng" mean?
Krating Daeng (กระทิงแดง) is Thai for "red gaur" or "red bull". The gaur is a large wild bovine native to Southeast Asia, distinct from the European bull. The brand's logo of two gaurs charging at each other in front of a sun was used as the basis for the Western Red Bull logo when the brand launched globally in 1987. The English translation "Red Bull" comes from this Thai name.
Why is Thai Red Bull non-carbonated?
The original 1976 Thai formula was designed as a functional energy tonic for labourers and truck drivers, not as a soft drink. Non-carbonated allowed it to be consumed quickly in single sips and sit better in the stomach during long shifts. When Mateschitz adapted the formula for Western markets in 1987, he added carbonation to make it feel more like a soft drink and appeal to younger consumers. The Thai market retained the non-carbonated original because that's what the Thai consumer base wanted.