The Italian Espresso Ritual Meets Vocational Training and Social Rehabilitation
BANGKOK, November 9, 2026 – On the occasion of International Coffee Day, the Italian Cultural Institute in Bangkok (Istituto Italiano di Cultura Bangkok) initiates the vocational training project “Caffè, nuovi orizzonti” (Coffee & New Horizons), in partnership with Great Earth Co., Ltd., the main sponsor and official importer of Caffè Vergnano 1882 in Thailand, the Department of Corrections under the Ministry of Justice, and the Central Women’s Correctional Institution in Bangkok. The project aims to provide female inmates with professional espresso brewing skills and foundational coffee shop operational knowledge.
Organizational Structure and Rehabilitation Operations
The Central Women’s Correctional Institution in Bangkok, led by Director Ms. Walailak Chumchuen, in collaboration with the Bureau of Human Development of the Department of Corrections, is actively driving employment and skill development initiatives to elevate vocational training standards. This specialized coffee training program falls under the hospitality, tourism, and food & beverage management initiative, offering participants technical qualifications to meet industry standards and opening new horizons for social reintegration.
The “Coffee & New Horizons” project operates within the vocational training and social reintegration framework developed under the Kamlangjai Project (Inspire Project), initiated by H.R.H. Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati. It is conducted through the Inspired by Princess @ Central Women’s Correctional Institution brand, scheduled to open in December 2026.
Furthermore, the initiative aligns with the United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-custodial Measures for Women Offenders, known as the “Bangkok Rules,” adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2010 as the global benchmark for female inmate care and alternative sentencing.
Vocational Training Structure and Sustainability
The curriculum utilizes a Cascade Training model, engaging correctional officers alongside inmates to ensure long-term program sustainability after the initial cycle.
Participants include:
- 15 Target Female Inmates: Selected based on voluntary interest, aptitude, and readiness for social and workforce reintegration.
- 6 Correctional Officers / Staff Members: Participating in both theoretical and practical modules to master instructional techniques for training future inmate cohorts.
The collaboration between the Bureau of Human Development officers and the expert trainers from Great Earth — a leading industry entity with over 25 years of experience in Thailand’s coffee sector — ensures sustainable internal knowledge transfer, empowering certified officers to continue training new cohorts independently.
Technical Skills and Professional Expertise
Technical content and practical sessions are conducted directly by Great Earth trainers under the standardized curriculum of Accademia Vergnano. This initiative forms part of the global “Women in Coffee” Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, established by Caffè Vergnano 1882 in Turin to promote gender equality and professional advancement for women across the coffee value chain.
The comprehensive curriculum covers international coffee shop standards, including:
- Botanical knowledge, bean classification, and espresso blending techniques.
- Machine calibration and extraction variable control for espresso.
- Operation, routine cleaning, and preventive maintenance of commercial espresso machinery.
- Milk steaming techniques and counter service management.
Upon completion, participants will receive a formal Certificate of Completion to validate their skill set against labor market requirements.
Cultural Cooperation, Vocational Training, and Social Empowerment
This project is part of a series of coffee-centered initiatives within “Italia Reloaded. Tradition, Aesthetics and Innovation between Taste and Memory,” a multidisciplinary cultural program organized by the Italian Cultural Institute in Bangkok to highlight coffee in its cultural, social, and aesthetic dimensions.
Under this framework, “Caffè, nuovi orizzonti” emphasizes the social dimension of coffee culture by equipping participants with tangible technical skills that serve as practical tools for employment and successful community reintegration.
The partnership between the Italian Cultural Institute in Bangkok, Great Earth Co., Ltd. (Official Importer of Caffè Vergnano 1882 Thailand), and the Central Women’s Correctional Institution reflects a shared commitment to delivering impactful vocational training and rehabilitation. Launching on International Coffee Day underscores the growing cooperation between Italian and Thai institutions in promoting skill development and social inclusion.
Project Title: “Caffè, nuovi orizzonti” (Coffee & New Horizons)
Organizer: Italian Cultural Institute in Bangkok (Istituto Italiano di Cultura Bangkok)
Main Sponsor & Technical Partner: Great Earth Co., Ltd. (Official Importer of Caffè Vergnano 1882) – Women in Coffee Project
Co-Organizer: Central Women’s Correctional Institution, Department of Corrections, Ministry of Justice, Thailand
Framework: International Coffee Day 2026 – Cultural and Social Diplomacy
