Nawin's farm, located in Hua Chang, is among the highest in Thailand. At 19 degrees north of the equator, this elevation is particularly significant. For comparison, coffee-growing regions like Nariño, Colombia (1 degree north), and Tarrazú, Costa Rica (9 degrees north) can sustain coffee cultivation at elevations exceeding 1,600 metres above sea level. However, in Thailand, coffee does not yield well beyond 1,550 m.a.s.l. due to the latitude.
Hua Chang, which literally means "Elephant Head," is the highest elevation area with its own microclimate in Doi Chang, Thailand's largest coffee-producing region. The area is forested, providing natural shade for all the coffee trees. The unique microclimate allows the cherries to ripen more slowly than on other farms in Doi Chang. The volcanic black soil in the region is rich in nutrients, contributing to the production of high-quality coffee.
Coffee farming in Thailand is a relatively new industry, attracting young entrepreneurs like Nawin. The country's coffee history began in the 1970s with an opium eradication project initiated by the King of Thailand, introducing the first coffee trees to regions like Doi Saket. Successful efforts to reforest degraded land and replace illicit crops with coffee and other cultivations have led to thriving mountain farms. Many original varieties, such as Catuai, Typica, and the local Chiang Mai (a cross between SL-28, Caturra, and Timor hybrid), are flourishing.
