Is Starbucks in Hua Hin for normal Thais

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jumusman
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Is Starbucks in Hua Hin for normal Thais

Post by jumusman »

SydneyGuy wrote:Just for the record i dont think we need any Starbucks in Hua Hin, plenty of little espresso/coffee bars around:)
The Starbucks here are really for Hiso or wanna be Hiso Thai's. Its a super cool American coffee shop with very expensive prices. Thai's will go there, spend 180 baht on a coffee then take a selfie of either themselves and the cup next to them or just the cup itself then post it on Facebook and/or Instagram, Tumblr, Snapchat, Tango, Whats App, Line etc... so they can show all their friends how Hiso they are for spending so much money on a cup of coffee!

Or at least this is how my Thai girlfriend explains it to me when I ask why Thai's go there and pay that much for a cup of coffee when there are so many other choices.
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Re: Is Starbucks in Hua Hin for normal Thais

Post by Terry »

Of course it is...........

Also, in Bangkok a group them - mainly students - will buy one coffee or an iced tea and then sit there for 2 - 3 hours doing their homework together on their i-pads. :guns:

Other punters thereby denied a seat :roll

Hate the place :butt:
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Re: Is Starbucks in Hua Hin for normal Thais

Post by Pleng »

jumusman wrote:
SydneyGuy wrote: The Starbucks here are really for Hiso or wanna be Hiso Thai's. Its a super cool American coffee shop with very expensive prices. Thai's will go there, spend 180 baht on a coffee then take a selfie of either themselves and the cup next to them or just the cup itself then post it on Facebook and/or Instagram, Tumblr, Snapchat, Tango, Whats App, Line etc... so they can show all their friends how Hiso they are for spending so much money on a cup of coffee!

Or at least this is how my Thai girlfriend explains it to me when I ask why Thai's go there and pay that much for a cup of coffee when there are so many other choices.
To me that just sounds like your gf is taking an opportunity to have a pop at HiSos. My girlfriend, who certainly isn't HiSo likes Starbucks, as do most of her friends. They don't drink it all the time because, as you say, it *is* expensive.

When I'm in there with her I see very few people taking selfies and posting them on social media. While I'm sure the practice does exist I highly doubt it's Starbucks' core market. What I do see is a lot of working-class Thais on their laptops, or reading magazines, and a sizable chuck of holiday makers.

As to why would a Thai go there and pay over the odds when there's so many other choices around, you could surely ask the same question of any nationality? I know it's almost as trendy to dislike the place as it is to be taking selfies there.... but what most people who dislike Starbucks seem to forget is that they would never have gotten so popular if they didn't make a product that a lot of people actually like. And that, I think you'll find, is the reason that the majority of Starbucks customers go there - they like the coffee.

Personally I don't drink coffee, so it doesn't make much of a difference to me.
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Re: Is Starbucks in Hua Hin for normal Thais

Post by Khundon1975 »

Right from day one, when Starbucks opened way back when in HH, my wife used it, despite having her own coffee shop!
The one time I went in with her, there were many other Thais from all walks of life, not just Hi So Thais.
As to my wife being "normal" I won't answer that, as I hate hospital food.
Personally, I hate Starbucks coffee, to me, it tastes like muddy water. :duck:
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Re: Is Starbucks in Hua Hin for normal Thais

Post by mudcat »

Having a bit of a disconnect when I hear of working class Thais in Starbucks on their laptops reading magazines. Maybe it is because the working class in Hua Hin has had so much of the expat and Bangkok wealth trickle down to them that they have joined Veblen's Leisure Class.
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Re: Is Starbucks in Hua Hin for normal Thais

Post by caller »

Not Hua Hin, but the Starbucks in the Mall in Korat is busy with Thais as they vastly outnumber farangs! In fact, the company will be moving to a new, larger site in the Mall, when the rebuilding is finished. Not so many hiso's in Korat.

I use it for a decent cup of tea as I hate coffee and yes, I sometimes loiter as that seems to be the way of things here.
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Post by JamesWest »

Thais are not as poor as they used to be.

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Re: Is Starbucks in Hua Hin for normal Thais

Post by Big Boy »

I went into the one next to the clock tower soon after it opened. I was so astounded by the price for a cup of coffee in Thailand that I've never crossed their threshold again. If that's what it takes to be a hi-so, then I'm glad I'm not.

IMO the best coffee in Hua Hin is from the little coffee shop at Hua Hin Hospital.
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Re: Is Starbucks in Hua Hin for normal Thais

Post by hhinner »

I have several favourite coffee stalls that do iced espresso to my taste. I'm due to visit Hua Hin Hospital in the next week or so, so I'll have to try that one. Sorry - not about Starbucks.
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Re: Is Starbucks in Hua Hin for normal Thais

Post by Big Boy »

I don't think you'll be disappointed - let us know.

We'd better get this back on topic :oops: :offtopic:
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Re: Is Starbucks in Hua Hin for normal Thais

Post by joelle »

sorry for my Hignorance but what does Hiso mean ??
also what do you call "normal "Thais" ???
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Re: Is Starbucks in Hua Hin for normal Thais

Post by Big Boy »

Hi society, upper class, snobs + wannabees.

Normal are those not trying to fit into the above category (whether there or not).
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Re: Is Starbucks in Hua Hin for normal Thais

Post by falanglongtime »

I used to own a coffee bar, to be honest; I sold it because i never made any money, I paid tax and stuff, unlike Starbucks. Anyway, in the UK i will drink Costa coffee (apparently there not much better paying tax), but I prefer the independent coffee bars. In Hua Hin, I quite like Thai Visa Lounge, opposite Mai Tai. Latte's and Cappucinos are good and not to pricey, plus you get good service there, as an added bonus, its a good people watching spot :D
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Re: Is Starbucks in Hua Hin for normal Thais

Post by STEVE G »

caller wrote:Not Hua Hin, but the Starbucks in the Mall in Korat is busy with Thais as they vastly outnumber farangs! In fact, the company will be moving to a new, larger site in the Mall, when the rebuilding is finished. Not so many hiso's in Korat.
If you consider that Issan has a population of twenty odd million and about three or four Starbucks, they would have to be a bit larger if they're going to be used by normal Thais!
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Re: Is Starbucks in Hua Hin for normal Thais

Post by caller »

I think there's a few more than that around Steve! There'll be at least 3/4 in Korat alone shortly (Mall, T21, Central). I'm in there quite a bit. I see with my own eyes.
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