King Prajadhipok and Queen Rambai Barni visited in 1933

Siamese people have enjoyed the taste of beer for a long time, but they were all imported beers, which saw a steep rise in 1920s. There was really no one bold enough to think about brewing beer in Siam, a hot and humid country, until one man tasted it at a local German store, and boldly asked whether beer could be produced in Siam. The response was, "It depends on the water and taxation."

Praya Bhirom Bhakdi, an aristocratic entrepreneur was already a very successful businessman in his growing ferry business. He was also a well travelled man for his time, having already been to China, Japan, Singapore, India, Indonesia and Europe including England. His travels opened his eyes to new worlds and new opportunities. Soon, his next business venture would be a very large undertaking, that of brewing the first beer that Siamese could call their own.

With the government's plans to build the first bridge crossing the Chao Praya River, in commemoration of Bangkok's 150th anniversary in 1929, more bridges would sure to follow, lessening the needs for the public to use the ferry to cross the river. Forseeing this problem, and excited with starting a new business, Praya Bhirom Bhakdi went full steam ahead. He was 60 years old, the age when most people retired, but not him, a man with so much energy, he could not just stay still. His relentless pursuit during the time of great changes in Siam, notably the Revolution of 1932 that would change the way of living in this small Southeast Asian Kingdom, would prove rewarding for him and his descendants. With permission of His Majesty King Prajadhipok, the Praya travelled to Europe in 1932 to secure a builder for his dream brewery. Boon Rawd Brewery Co., Ltd was set up on 4 August 1933. The first bottles of Siamese beers rolled off the production lines and first served to the much anticipated public on 6 July 1934.