From February 11, 2026, something will change about an abnormal cup of coffee or Thai milk tea in Thailand. What was once called “normal sweetness” – full sweetness in response to the unique recipe – will now mean only 50% sugar. Without choosing the special option, customers ordering the traditional sweetness level will robotically receive the half-sugar version.
The move is the results of a nationwide collaboration between the Department of Health (DoH), the Ministry of Public Health and nine major beverage chains including Café Amazon, Inthanin, All Café, Black Canyon, PunThai, Chao Doi and several other other brands supported by the Thai Coffee Association and various health organizations.
This change will not be a way of life trend, but a part of a broader strategy to scale back the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Thailand.
Sweets reset: Changing defaults, not banning sugar
Instead of banning sugar or completely changing the composition of drinks, the federal government selected a subtler approach inspired by the nudge theory – change default option so that folks regularly turn into accustomed to healthier decisions.
Customers can still order higher levels of sweetness in the event that they so desire. However, the brand new baseline is now 50% sugar. This small change is meant to encourage recent habits without feeling restricted or forced.
Previously, a 16-ounce (473 ml) 100% sweet iced coffee contained roughly 7.3 teaspoons of sugar. Under the brand new standard, that number drops to about 3.7 teaspoons.
Thai iced tea, which previously contained about 6.6 teaspoons of sugar, will now contain about 3.3 teaspoons. At these levels, the sugar content of a single drink is inside the World Health Organization (WHO) suggestion of a maximum of six teaspoons of added sugar per day.
Redefining the meaning of the word “normal” may look like a small change. However, within the context of national sugar consumption, its impact might be significant.
Thailand is thought for its daring flavors – sweet, spicy and richly layered. However, high sugar consumption has turn into a serious public health problem.
Thai people eat on average about 21 teaspoons of sugar a day, which is greater than 3 times the limit beneficial by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Data from 2025 show that roughly 45% of the population aged 15 and over are obese and 10% live with diabetes. A study by the Bureau of Nutrition also found that a 22-ounce iced coffee may contain a mean of nine teaspoons of sugar, while a 10-ounce bubble milk tea may contain as much as 12 teaspoons.
The policy also coincides with the ultimate phase of Thailand’s sugar tax, which has turn into a crucial income for the Excise Department, with a 2026 collection goal of THB 578.2 billion (roughly USD 17.1 billion).
Towards a culture of low-sugar drinks?
For regular customers of Bangkok cafes or those returning to Thailand, the change could also be immediately noticeable: matcha, coffee or ha jen now it tastes lighter than before. However, this policy will not be a short lived trend.
Discussions on the implementation of the measure took place on January 15 with representatives from the federal government, industry players akin to Bangchak Retail (Inthanin), PTT Oil and Retail (Café Amazon), CP All (All Café, Kadsuan, Bellinee’s) and Black Canyon, in addition to institutions including the Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Disease Control.
The emphasis was on ensuring the sustainability and consistent application of this policy.
It is price noting that industry representatives have also noted that consumer preferences are already shifting towards less sweet or sugar-free drinks. By setting a brand new default sweetness value of fifty%, Thailand is regularly shaping a low-sugar beverage culture, without bans, without sudden disruptions, but by simply redefining what “normal” means.
