Karun Thai Tea: A Friendly Heads-Up on Pronunciation (It’s Not What You Think!)

For the longest time, we’ve been loyal fans of Karun Thai Tea (ชาไทยการัน), a brand that has become a staple whenever my sister’s family visits Thailand. For years, we’ve been calling it “Ka-run,” assuming the pronunciation followed the Romanized spelling. But as it turns out, we were hilariously mistaken.

The truth came out in the most Bangkok way possible: from a delivery rider. When he arrived with our order, he politely asked, “Is this for the garan order?” A lightbulb went off. Recognizing the Thai letters (การัน) on the paper bag—a skill I’m glad to have learned!—we realized it was definitely a ‘g.’ It’s a subtle detail, and I don’t recall seeing the Thai name prominently displayed in their physical stores. If it weren’t for that delivery order, we might never have learned the correct pronunciation!

For those who haven’t had the pleasure, this brand is positioned as a premium Thai tea, and for good reason. My second sister’s family swears by its exceptional smoothness and rich, authentic flavor. It’s a definite step up from your average street-side Thai tea.

So, from one tea lover to another, consider this your friendly heads-up! The next time you order this delicious drink, remember to ask for “Garan.” The correct pronunciation is just another small, charming detail that makes enjoying this local favorite even better.

You can find them on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/karunthaitea/?locale=th_TH