Is it the end of an era in Ubon Ratchathani? Or maybe it’s the beginning of a new era. I am not sure but coming soon to an Ubon Ratchathani near you will be a Starbucks Coffee Shop. Are you ready?
When I first starting coming to Thailand in 1994 there were very few places to get a fresh hot cup of coffee in the mornings. Thank heaven for 7Eleven. I need my morning coffee and I would go to great lengths to get it. Most of the coffee available was Nescafe but it was acceptable. I would sometimes walk for 15 minutes or more to find a place to get some coffee.
I was also in the Seattle, Washingtong area when a coffee phenomena erupted there, spurred on by the birth of Starbucks. You couldn’t go far without seeing a coffee shop or street vendor selling coffee. It wasn’t just coffee then, latte, mocha, cappucino and expresso. I had to learn a new jargon for ordering java. I loved the Egg Nog Lattes during the holiday season. I also loved the aroma I was greeted with when entering a Starbucks. The aroma alone would knock off the chill of the coldest winter days in Washington.
Now in Ubon Ratchathani there is a mini eruption of coffee shops and coffee street vendors. You can see many stands set up on side walks where you can get expresso, cappucino, and americana both hot and cold. Many coffee shops are springing up, some with a bakery and some that offer light meals as well as coffee and coffee drinks. The are excellent places to meet a friend for a chat, sit and think or just sit and enjoy your java while watching humanity go by.
Starbucks thrives in Bangkok, with both Thai and foreign customers. The drinks, pasteries and snacks are not cheap by any standard but many people are willing to pay. I think at times it isn’t just the menu but also a status symbol. A place to see and be seen.
I am anxious for Starbucks to open and will be one of its first customers for sure. I think it will be another month or two at least until the grand opening. I will be watching the progress. It is a good location at Nevada Grand Hotel Complex on Chayangkul Rd.. It will be on the second floor with big glass windows offering a view of the complex and Chayangkul Rd.
I will be interested to see of Starbucks can survive here and maybe flourish. It is a social experiment of sorts. If Starbucks does well here in Ubon it might be that other big name chains and franchises will follow. Is the timing right for Ubon Ratchathani? Only time will tell.
Thai Phrase of the Post:
Khun dawng gaan duem arai?
What would you like to drink?
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While not a coffee drinker myself, I enjoyed your blog. Keep writing!
You are spot on with Sbux being a status symbol in Thailand. Sbux is considered hi-so here and people do want to be seen walking around with a cup. Maybe its different in Ubon than Bangkok, sometimes its funny to see people flaunting their cup of coffee, to me it makes no sense, but is definitely part of Thai culture.
Rune,
Thanks for the comment and the inspirational word.
Darwin
Jeff,
Thanks for the comment. We’ll find out soon who they will react here.
darwin
unbelievable! They don’t even have starbucks in Suratthani. In Ubon? I wonder if “Jon” has something to do with this – he is a coffee shop going professional up there in Ubon and he had tinkered with the idea of starting a shop. I don’t think he’d start one in Nevada though.
If you want great coffee for 20-25 baht… go to the Laos coffee just south of the 7-11 and behind the big white government buildings across from Tung C Muang… Wish I could tell you the road… oh wait i have at my site…
Laos Coffee in Ubon Scroll down a bit, it’s the last entry. That is some awesome coffee and the cheapest in town. If you’re a coffee fiend you already know about it… Vern
Yes it is true, the country Isaan town of Ubon Ratchagthani is getting a Starbucks.
I think Jon is the guy who opened a small restaurant on Chayangkul Road across from Swing Party House. If so he serves up an awesome cheeseburger and potatoe salad. Good food good prices. The place is called, “Cozy Restaurant”.
I have been to Dao Lao several times. The coffee is good and they have good breakfast and lunch menu as well.
Thanks for the comment.
Did it ever open?
Yes it opened quite some time ago. It is alive and well on the Nevada/Ubon International Hotel complex. However, lately I have noticed few customers there.
wow, starbuck is making a move to Ubon. I enjoy it, but I feel guilty when I spend as much as buying a coffee in the United States. When I was growing up( I am from Ubon), I spent 5- 20 baht for a bag of coffee. When I went home last time and stopped at Starbuck in BKK. I paid almost 200 baht for its coffee. IMO, it is unfair for local coffee vendors who sells at affordable price and make a little profit. However, Starbuck already makes 200 bath for 1 cup while locals would have to sell for 4-5 cups to sell for 200 babt.
Dont get me wrong though, I still like Starbuck coffee, but I just feel bad for small coffee shops .
Starbucks is not making a move to Ubon. They were here and the experiment failed. So they are gone already. They had some dedicated loyal customers but not enough to keep them in business. Local coffee shops are great and serve good coffee but Starbucks is about the environment not just the coffee.