History of Coffee in Doi Chaang Village

Prior to cultivating and processing coffee, many hill tribe villagers, including the Akha of Doi Chaang Village, grew the most tradable commodity from the infamous Golden Triangle: Opium. This, along with the horticultural practice of slash-and-burn, resulted in the deforestation and destruction of precious watersheds. In 1983, his Majesty, King Bhumibol, took action to improve the lives of his people and began the Royal Initiatives. The Thai King encouraged crop substitutions with the goal of creating sustainable agriculture while eliminating opium cultivation and slash-and-burn horticulture. Under His Majesty's personal direction, aid and assistance was received from the Thai government and the United Nations.

The Doi Chaang villagers received a variety of high quality Arabica plants and continuous technical support until cultivating and processing methods were well established. The families initially cultivated their own coffee independently and individually sold their own beans to international coffee dealers for minimal prices. However, once united as a cooperative, the Akha families soon proved themselves as a resourceful and successful, independent coffee company. They now proudly produce the pinnacle of world class Arabica coffee.