I'd prefer a cheap Starbung

One of the worst is already in the spotlight in Thailand for other reasons, namely Starbucks. How can it be that a medium size Starbucks Americano (two shots espresso plus hot water) costs $3 here in Thailand (90 baht) but $2.55 at ordinary locations in Florida (prices from my last 2013 trip to the US).

How on earth can a cup of coffee be so much more expensive in a low-cost half-developed country as Thailand than in the US? Coffee prices are the same around the world but wages and rent of business location are just a fraction here compared to the US.

Chinese authorities complained a few days ago about Starbucks’ horrible prices. Here in Thailand, no noise, no fuss, no nothing about the price? 

Are foreign business people milking the well-off Thais and foreign tourists for maximum profit without any loyalty for Thailand and it’s long-time goal? Money goes in a steady stream straight abroad instead of staying here to build the country. And does Thailand really need “short-time” gamblers who only rent, not invest, and therefore are able to quickly pull out of the country when profit sinks? 

Half-developed Thailand clearly needs help from foreign know-how and advanced technology firms to develop, but from chains brewing coffee or making (unhealthy) food? 

It seems like all those mainly American chains have free hands around the world, especially in poorer countries. Businesses are run as franchises, a new form for slavery or a feudal system, with “slaves” at home and the Master mainly sitting in the US extracting money – millions? – from franchisers all over the world. 

I saw this tendency here years ago with foreign businesses and, yes, coffee. They set the price close up to prices back home at locations with foreign tourists totally out of touch with prices elsewhere in Thailand. And some Thais parrot these farang. 

Thank you, I rather take a Starbung for a reasonable price, please!

A Johnsen