Starbucks Coffee Shop Opens in Buriram

[Pichai]

This photo of the Starbucks Coffee Shop opening day July 29 in Buriram, Thailand is indicative of the customer base. I did not note any expats in the Starbucks Coffee Shop inside the Robinson Lifestyle Center.

[Freddy]

We can't afford it.

[bart simpson]

No free wifi either. You have to pay to use it.

[smoooth2]

First visit to the new Robinsons Buriram this morning. Popped into Starbucks, just to stickybeak.

Maybe 5 customers, and 6 staff.

I think it's a big error on Starbuck's side to display the entire menu in English. No Thai language anywhere on display.

OK ... so maybe Starbucks are hoping for plenty of farang customers, but surely the vast majority of people that walk in the door are going to be Thai ...... and they will be wanting to read their national language.

If I walked into a coffee shop in Oz, and the menu was written in Chinese, I'd be gone. No sale.

I guess someone at Starbucks HQ has done their homework on this, and decided English menus alone are ok. I still think it's a bad mistake.

The lack of customers, I think, is not necessarily down to "expensive coffee". KFC and Swensons offer food in the same price range as Starbucks, yet KFC and Swensons are always full of locals spending happily.

I was in The Mall at Korat last week, and same story. McDonalds was overflowing and chockers with locals. Starbucks had only two customers ... both farang.

Maybe Thai's just don't like coffee ??

[Starman]

There are many, many Thai style coffee shops around Buriram and the whole of Thailand.

There are not many Thai style burger places, ice cream parlours or fried chicken restaurants.

This could be the reason that certain establishments are full to the rafters and others are simply empty.

[CO-CO]

There are many, many Thai style coffee shops around Buriram and the whole of Thailand.

There are not many Thai style burger places, ice cream parlours or fried chicken restaurants.

This could be the reason that certain establishments are full to the rafters and others are simply empty.

 I see Swensons, KFC and Pizza Co etc often full of Thais. In Bangkok you will often wait for a seat in these places.

[Freddy]

Personally I think it is the high prices that keep the Thais out of Starbucks, maybe more so in this area. I don't think the KFC prices are to bad and sensors, although a bit pricey is still cheaper than Europe and USA. Starbucks prices in Thailand are comparative to Starbucks in the UK which IMHO is ridiculous. I also agree that it is a mistake to have the menu in English only and is actually bloody rude.
From what I have seen the Thais don't drink that much hot coffee but they certainly like their iced coffees, chocolates, smoothies, green teas etc.........The Amazon outlets are always busy even though there are cheaper options available at all the petrol stations.

[CO-CO]

Personally I think it is the high prices that keep the Thais out of Starbucks, maybe more so in this area. I don't think the KFC prices are to bad and sensors, although a bit pricey is still cheaper than Europe and USA. Starbucks prices in Thailand are comparative to Starbucks in the UK which IMHO is ridiculous. I also agree that it is a mistake to have the menu in English only and is actually bloody rude.
From what I have seen the Thais don't drink that much hot coffee but they certainly like their iced coffees, chocolates, smoothies, green teas etc.........The Amazon outlets are always busy even though there are cheaper options available at all the petrol stations.
[/quote



I think there is also a status factor at play.

A friend's Thai daughter came up from Bangkok and they stopped at a local PTT gas station. He went to 7/11 for his 18 Baht iced coffee, she refused to have that and insisted on getting a take-away from Amazon at almost 3 times the price.

[gotlost]

Personally I think it is the high prices that keep the Thais out of Starbucks, maybe more so in this area. I don't think the KFC prices are to bad and sensors, although a bit pricey is still cheaper than Europe and USA. Starbucks prices in Thailand are comparative to Starbucks in the UK which IMHO is ridiculous. I also agree that it is a mistake to have the menu in English only and is actually bloody rude.
From what I have seen the Thais don't drink that much hot coffee but they certainly like their iced coffees, chocolates, smoothies, green teas etc.........The Amazon outlets are always busy even though there are cheaper options available at all the petrol stations.
[/quote



I think there is also a status factor at play.

A friend's Thai daughter came up from Bangkok and they stopped at a local PTT gas station. He went to 7/11 for his 18 Baht iced coffee, she refused to have that and insisted on getting a take-away from Amazon at almost 3 times the price.

The Startwats Coffee in Surin..Very seldom see  farangs BUT you do see Thais..Look at ME I'M HI-SO.

[Jackie-boy]

A good place to meet the Mia Noi or Gig, as there's never anyone in there to spot you.

Has anyone got one of their special Starbucks Buriram VIP Club Card yet 

[Adam]

Who holds card number 0000000001?

[Jackie-boy]

Who holds card number 0000000001?

I believe it is Newin Chidchob!! 

Below is a picture of when he found out he would be getting his Starbucks VIP Club Card   

[toffo]

The P in VIP must stand for prick then if he has the one card

[buckwhelk]

A VIP card for a coffee shop FFS ?

[Jackie-boy]

A VIP card for a coffee shop FFS ?

I was only joking,they are not real   

But I think you can get a Gold Card  in the USA 

http://www.seriouseats.com/2008/11/starbucks-gold-card-math-is-it-worth-it.html