This study aims to develop a model of cells encapsulated with coconut-milk, a natural emulsion of protein-carbohydrate-oil, for protecting Lactobacillus spp. Cells of plant origin Lactobacillus plantarum AP1 and intestinal Lactobacillus fermentum AA0014 used in this study were encapsulated by spray drying with coconut milk. Morphological observation of encapsulated cells was conducted by scanning electron microscopy. The coconut milk-encapsulated cells was evaluated for the viability against environmental barriers including very low pH and high bile salts concentration under in vitro assays, and the oxygen exposures during four week storage at room temperature. The encapsulation process contributed on decreasing the cell viability, however, coconut milk spray dried cells of assayed L. plantarum AP1 and intestinal L. fermentum AA0014 survived in high number at about 108 CFU/g. The encapsulated cells were relatively more stable in viability than those of non-encapsulated cells under the exposures of low pH and bile salts. Survivability of those encapsulated bacterial strains for four-week storage at room temperature was only reduced less than 0.4log. To our knowledge, this study firstly reported the use of coconut milk as natural encapsulation matrix for sprayed dried Lactobacillus spp. cells against the environmental barriers. This study contributes on the practical aspects of the use of natural resource that is widely available in the tropical countries for development microbial encapsulation technology.