Starbucks Thailand opens third Community Store
Starbucks Thailand announced opening its third Community Store at The Kad Farang Village amidst the mountains of Mae Rim district, Chiang Mai province, supporting local coffee farmers and communities. The store’s design is inspired by the local coffee growing traditions and cultural heritage of Northern Thailand farmers, who have long collaborated with Starbucks and played a crucial role in creating the Starbucks® Muan Jai™ Blend, a special coffee blend available exclusively in Thailand.
Starbucks Thailand announced opening its third Community Store at The Kad Farang Village amidst the mountains of Mae Rim district, Chiang Mai province, supporting local coffee farmers and communities. The store’s design is inspired by the local coffee growing traditions and cultural heritage of Northern Thailand farmers, who have long collaborated with Starbucks and played a crucial role in creating the Starbucks® Muan Jai™ Blend, a special coffee blend available exclusively in Thailand.
Since the launch of Starbucks® Muan Jai™ Blend coffee in 2003, and Thailand’s first Community Store in Bangkok in 2013, Starbucks Thailand has contributed over 27 million baht (approximately $790,000 USD) to support coffee farming communities in Northern Thailand. These contributions enabled The Integrated Tribal Development Foundation (ITDF), a local nonprofit organization, to implement various social and environmental development projects in Northern Thailand, including the Mountain Waterworks Project and a health clinic in Bann Huay Som Poi, which serves coffee farmers in Bann Huay Som Poi and nine neighboring communities, benefiting over 1,600 people. Additionally, Starbucks has supported establishing schools in the Chiang Mai area, including Ban Mae Khee Muk Noi-Gong Gai Child Centre and Ban Song Tan School. Starbucks also offers the Livelihood Equipping, Training, and Nourishment Project, which has empowered over 900 hill tribe villagers by providing knowledge in various fields.
A Coffee Store Reflecting Local Identity
Starbucks at The Kad Farang, Mae Rim, is decorated with warm-toned wooden lattices, evoking a rustic charm that blends with the surrounding interior space. Earthy tones in the furniture reflect the community’s deep connection to nature, while warm hues highlight their enduring bond with the heritage of coffee cultivation and the land.
To pay homage to the coffee farmer community, the store features custom artwork that incorporates handwoven textile panels created by local weavers and artisans. The panels celebrate the diverse hill tribe communities and traditional crafts, representing the vibrant farming communities of Northern Thailand.
Strengthening Thai Coffee Farmers and Communities Through Continued Support
For every Starbucks beverage purchased at this store, 10 baht will be donated to ITDF to improve the livelihoods of coffee farmers in Northern Thailand. Additionally, this branch offers an exclusive drink menu featuring the Muan Jai™ White Chocolate Affogato-Style Frappuccino® Blended Beverage. A special collection of merchandise is also available, including Benjarong mugs (traditional Thai five-colored porcelain), drinkware, keychains, bags, and coasters made with coffee grounds. Inspired by coffee plants and the Northern Thai coffee farming communities, the collection features vibrant designs.
