I think you're on the right track. A few things to note, the ancient Chinese produced various forms of alcohol and used it medicinally, ceremonially, and recreationally. Though I'm uncertain if there may have been factors at play that may have limited distribution and consumption to neighboring cultures.

I vaguely recall that in the case of Thailand, consumption was pretty low up until around the 1700s when they saw an influx of Chinese migrants. The prevalence of Buddhism was a big contributor to this as alcohol consumption is generally frowned upon.