If you’ve ever sipped a Red Bull overseas and thought, “This tastes totally different”, you’re not imagining things. The Red Bull you’ll find in Thailand is a completely different beast from the one we grab at Woolies or the servo here in Australia. From taste and texture to caffeine content and even price, here’s how the Thai Red Bull (known locally as Krating Daeng) stacks up against the Aussie version.
What You’ll Notice First: Taste and Texture
Thailand – Krating Daeng
The original Thai Red Bull is non-carbonated, sold in a small 150 ml glass bottle, and has a thick, syrupy feel. It’s ultra-sweet, rich, and leans more towards a medicinal flavour. Locals often drink it as a quick shot or mix it with soda water.
As explained by Tasty Thailand, the Thai version is less fizzy and packs a stronger taste, often described as more “intense” and “satisfying” compared to the Western version.
Australia – Red Bull Energy Drink
The Red Bull we know comes in a 250 ml aluminium can, and it’s carbonated. The fizz gives it a refreshing mouthfeel that’s closer to soft drinks. It’s still sweet, but more balanced, and doesn’t have that syrupy weight. Think clean and crisp, not thick and sticky.
Ingredient Breakdown: What’s Inside
Both versions aim to give you that energy boost, but they get there slightly differently.
| Ingredient | Thai Red Bull (150 ml) | Australian Red Bull (250 ml) |
| Caffeine | ~50 mg (≈33 mg/100 ml) | 80 mg (≈32 mg/100 ml) |
| Sugar | ~25–28 g per bottle | 27 g per can |
| Calories | ~120 kcal | ~110 kcal |
| Taurine | 800–1000 mg | 1000 mg |
| Other Additives | B3, B6, B12, inositol, choline, glucuronolactone | B-group vitamins, glucuronolactone, inositol |
Reize Club notes that the caffeine per 100 ml is very similar, but you’re drinking a smaller volume with the Thai bottle, meaning it is more concentrated.
How Strong Is It Really
While the Aussie can contains more total caffeine (80 mg vs 50 mg in the Thai version), the Thai Red Bull feels more concentrated. It’s denser, much sweeter, and designed to be consumed quickly. It doesn’t feel like a drink you’d sip for refreshment; it’s more like a pick-me-up shot.
That said, if you’re after a gentler experience with a longer sip time, the Australian version is much more drinkable, especially if you want to mix it with Jägermeister to make a Jägerbomb.
Price Tag Comparison
In Thailand, expect to pay around ฿10–15 (A$0.30–0.60) for a bottle of Krating Daeng from any 7-Eleven.
In Australia, a 250ml Red Bull can cost A$3–5, depending on where you buy it, such as supermarkets, convenience stores, or vending machines.
It’s a massive difference in cost, especially when you’re travelling on a budget in Thailand.
Legal Differences and Caffeine Limits
Australia’s food laws limit energy drinks to 320 mg of caffeine per litre, which works out to 80 mg per 250 ml can, the exact amount in our local Red Bull. According to the Australian Food Standards Code, these limits help regulate how much stimulant you’re getting per serve.
Thailand regulates energy drinks differently, allowing more flexibility in formulation, which is why Krating Daeng includes extras like choline and a more concentrated sugar content.
Which One’s Better
That depends on what you’re after:
Want a powerful energy hit in a small, affordable bottle? Go for Thai Red Bull (Krating Daeng). It’s like an old-school energy tonic – no fizz, no fuss.
Want something refreshing and easy to drink on the go? Stick to the Aussie Red Bull. It’s lighter, more refreshing, and feels like a proper beverage. In fact, it’s probably my favourite energy drink ever.
Final Thoughts
While they share a name and a logo, Thai and Aussie Red Bull are very different drinks. The Thai version is closer to the brand’s original roots, strong, sweet, and medicinal. The Aussie version is what most of the world recognises: fizzy, mild, and refreshing.
Both pack a decent punch thanks to caffeine and taurine, but it’s the texture, taste, and size that make the biggest difference. If you’re travelling through Thailand, trying a bottle of Krating Daeng is practically a rite of passage, and at 30 cents, why wouldn’t you?
Just don’t expect it to taste like the Red Bull you’re used to at home.
