BANGKOK — Former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s daughter transforms century-old Chinatown building on Song Wat Road into premium café as part of 1,400% business growth.
The heart of Bangkok’s Chinatown is experiencing a renaissance, and BEANS Coffee Roaster is riding the wave. Chananda Thavisin, daughter of former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and CEO of the rapidly expanding specialty coffee chain, has just opened her newest location in the historic Song Wat Road in Samphanthawong District—and it’s already among the company’s top five performers in just three months.
From humble beginnings selling five cups a day at a hidden Thonglor location, BEANS Coffee Roaster has exploded into a 16-branch empire generating 100,000 cups monthly and achieving 1,400% revenue growth over three years.
The Song Wat expansion represents more than business growth—it’s part of a broader cultural transformation sweeping Bangkok’s traditional trading districts.
Historic Meets Hip in Song Wat
Song Wat Road stretches 1,196 meters along the Chao Phraya River, connecting history, culture, and community since 1892 when King Rama V personally “drew” this street route on the map to reduce congestion in the Sampheng and Yaowarat districts. The street’s name literally means “drawn by the king.”
Today’s Song Wat has undergone a fascinating transformation. A young collective called “Made in Songwat” has revitalized the area with an “Old Meets New” concept reminiscent of Kyoto, preserving the district’s ancient charm while adding contemporary flair. The neighborhood now attracts international tourists and young Thais alike, creating a social media phenomenon that’s drawing serious investment.
From Hidden Gem to Coffee Empire
“The starting point of BEANS was my partnership with Akarin Sivapornpitak, who already had a coffee roasting business,” Chananda explains. “Our first Thonglor branch three years ago was super hidden—customers could hardly find it. But they kept coming back, and sales grew from five cups to 10, then 30, then 100 daily. That gave us confidence in our market potential.”
BEANS Coffee Roaster now operates in major shopping centers including Siam Paragon, CentralWorld, and EmSphere Sukhumvit, with the newest flagship at Dusit Central Park. But it’s the heritage location that’s capturing attention.
Art Meets Coffee in a Century-Old Building
The Song Wat branch occupies a renovated corner building designed in retro style, where tourists photograph continuously throughout the day. The exterior features a mural by renowned artist Benzilla, while upper floors serve as exhibition spaces for local artists.
“Someone messaged me saying he was a BEANS customer who owned a building in Song Wat,” Chananda recalls. “He gave us complete design freedom to transform the entire building. The renovation took three months of detailed work—my father visited twice as a regular customer and gave us small suggestions, like replacing the rear toilet door.”
Sustainable Growth Strategy
Krittee Thanawiput, Chief Operating Officer of BEANS Coffee Roaster, emphasizes careful expansion despite rapid growth. “We never expected BEANS would grow so fast. From less than 10 million baht turnover in our first year, we’ve achieved 14-fold growth—1,400% in three years.”
The company’s success stems from sourcing premium beans and creating unique customer experiences. BEANS Coffee Roaster supplies not only its own cafés but also hotels and restaurants, maintaining affordable prices while ensuring quality.
“There’s always room for the real deal in Thailand’s competitive coffee market worth tens of billions of baht,” Krittee notes. “Success comes from knowing your customers and persistently improving.”
Beyond Coffee: Social Impact
BEANS Coffee Roaster practices social responsibility through initiatives like “One Blend One Change,” where customers create custom coffee blends with proceeds supporting social causes. The company dreams of establishing farmer learning centers to expand coffee cultivation and create sustainable income for Thai farmers.
As Bangkok’s heritage districts continue attracting young entrepreneurs and international attention, BEANS Coffee Roaster’s Song Wat success story illustrates how traditional neighborhoods can embrace modernity while preserving their cultural essence—one expertly crafted cup at a time.
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