Mae Hong Son, Thailand – Mae Hong Son is taking big steps to put its coffee on the map. The Department of Agricultural Extension has launched a new initiative to raise the province’s coffee industry, aiming to turn it into a high-value agricultural product that meets Thailand’s growing coffee demand.
On September 30, 2025, officials gathered at Ban Phano Kee in Huai Pong Subdistrict, Mueang District, for the official kick-off. The event was led by Mr. Suriya Khampuang, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Agricultural Extension, who also presented strategies and support measures for farmers. Coffee seedlings were distributed to 30 farmer representatives across all seven districts of Mae Hong Son.
The event featured knowledge-sharing sessions covering the entire coffee supply chain — from seedling cultivation, soil and fertilizer management, and pest control, to midstream innovations that add value, and downstream efforts like youth barista training and product upgrades. A special seminar, “Mae Hong Son Coffee: From Quality Seedlings to High-Value Agricultural Products”, highlighted the province’s roadmap for building a strong coffee identity.
Activities also included a visit to local seedling nurseries and a Kick-off Coffee Planting Ceremony, symbolizing the start of a new chapter for Mae Hong Son coffee.
Building a Strong Coffee Future
Coffee production in Thailand currently supplies only about 15% of the country’s demand, with annual yields at 14,665 tons (from 176,493 rai in 2024/25). This gap underscores the need to expand domestic cultivation and reduce reliance on imports.
Mae Hong Son has been chosen as a strategic area for Arabica coffee expansion, with a target to increase plantations by 1,500 rai by 2027. To make this possible, the Department of Agricultural Extension is supporting farmers with 200,000 high-quality Arabica seedlings.
The project, “Pheuak Rak, Pheuak Klah: Quality Coffee from Mae Hong Son”, is expected to boost the province’s reputation as a coffee hub, bringing local farmers more opportunities and recognition on the international stage.
“By strengthening the foundation from the very beginning, Mae Hong Son coffee can achieve sustainable growth and become a proud symbol of Thai quality coffee,” officials noted during the launch.