CHIANG RAI – The Director General of the Department of Intellectual Property, Mr Oramon Sapthaweetham, told a press briefing yesterday that Thailand now has 11 registered Geographical Indication (GI) coffee products across 8 provinces.
The list includes Doi Tung Coffee (Chiang Rai), Doi Chang Coffee (Chiang Rai), Thep Sadet Coffee (Chiang Mai), Doi Suan Ya Luang Nan Coffee, Doi Musoe Tak Coffee, Wang Nam Khiao Coffee (Nakhon Ratchasima), Dong Mafai Coffee (Nakhon Ratchasima), Ranong Coffee, Khao Thalu Coffee (Chumphon), Tham Sing Chumphon Coffee, and Krabi Coffee.
Each GI coffee stands out because it’s closely tied to where it’s grown. Things like terrain, elevation, rainfall, temperature, and soil all shape the beans. Local know-how also matters, from planting methods to harvesting and processing. These factors affect flavor, aroma, and the unique traits that make each origin recognizable and valuable to buyers.
For 2025, the combined sales of all 11 Thai GI coffees reached more than 1.497 billion baht. The top five GI coffees alone generated 1.318 billion baht in total sales, coming from 4 provinces.
Top 5 Thai GI Goffee by Market Value
1) Doi Suan Ya Luang Nan Coffee
This GI coffee ranked first with sales of more than 526 million baht, from production of about 2,257 tons. The average retail price is now around 500 baht per kilogram, up about 1.78 times from 280 baht per kilogram before GI registration.
Doi Suan Ya Luang Nan is an Arabica coffee grown in Doi Suan Ya Luang, Tha Wang Pha District, Nan Province. It’s a headwater area at roughly 1,000 to 1,500 meters above sea level.
The climate stays cool year-round, and the soil is rich in minerals, which supports strong plant growth. With well-timed fermentation and roasting, the coffee develops aromas often described as chocolate, nuts, and fruit. The taste is bold and balanced, with a distinct herbal, peppery kick that many drinkers remember.
2) Ranong Coffee
Ranong Coffee came in second, posting more than 262 million baht in sales from around 947 tons of production. The average retail price is about 600 baht per kilogram, up roughly 7.5 times from 80 baht per kilogram before GI status.
This is a Robusta coffee with a long history. The variety was introduced from Penang over 100 years ago, then improved through more than 30 years of continued work and better production systems. Today, Ranong is the largest Robusta producer among Thailand’s Andaman-side southern provinces and ranks second nationwide.
Rich soil, heavy rainfall, and high humidity help the trees thrive, producing beans with a deep, intense taste and a recognizable aroma. Ranong Coffee has gained attention at home and abroad and has earned multiple international awards, helping strengthen local income over time.
3) Khao Thalu Coffee (Chumphon)
Khao Thalu Coffee from Chumphon placed third, with sales of more than 234 million baht from about 390 tons of production. The average retail price is around 450 baht per kilogram, nearly double the pre-GI level of 230 baht per kilogram.
This Robusta coffee is grown in Khao Thalu Subdistrict, Sawi District, at about 200 to 300 meters above sea level. The foothill soil is packed with minerals and natural organic matter.
Local producers also use natural inputs, including bat guano, as an important fertilizer source. Careful variety selection, farm management, and harvesting, plus standardized processing, contribute to its strong body and signature aroma. It’s sold in several forms, including roasted beans, ground coffee, and instant coffee, to fit different consumer needs.
4) Doi Chang Coffee (Chiang Rai)
Doi Chang Coffee ranked fourth with sales of more than 160 million baht, from 75 tons of production. The average retail price is about 1,600 baht per kilogram, up about 1.43 times from 1,120 baht per kilogram before GI registration.
This is an Arabica coffee, mainly Catuaí, Catimor, and Caturra, grown in the Doi Chang valley at elevations of around 1,000 to 1,700 meters. Producers follow more eco-friendly practices and maintain strict quality controls across the supply chain.
The result is high-quality green coffee and roasted coffee with a smooth, balanced profile, a light, bright acidity, a hint of sweetness, and a standout fragrance. Doi Chang Coffee is popular in Thailand and overseas and is also registered as a GI in the European Union and Japan.
5) Tham Sing Chumphon Coffee
Tham Sing Chumphon Coffee took fifth place, with sales of more than 136 million baht from about 120 tons of production. The average retail price is around 850 baht per kilogram, up 1.7 times from 500 baht per kilogram before GI status.
This Robusta coffee is grown on limestone foothill plains in Chumphon, at about 85 to 120 meters above sea level.
Farmers process fresh coffee cherries using a local method for fermentation and bean sorting that follows set standards, producing green beans that are later made into roasted and ground coffee. The flavor is rich and rounded, with low acidity and low astringency, plus a fruity aroma often compared to cherry.
Why Thai GI Coffee Stands Out
Oramon said Thai GI coffee is known for its origin-based character. Each area produces its own mix of aroma and taste, shaped by geography, climate, farming practices, and local skills passed down for years. When those strengths are matched with proper processing standards, the quality and identity of each GI origin stay intact from farm to cup.
That’s helped move Thai coffee from a common farm product into a premium category recognized both locally and internationally. It also builds real economic value and supports stronger communities, raising income and quality of life for farmers and local businesses.
The Department of Intellectual Property plans to keep pushing Thai GI coffee forward. The focus is on adding value to local agricultural products, sharing income across regions, and protecting GI status through quality control.
The department will also support wider market access in Thailand and abroad, to strengthen Thailand’s ability to compete globally and provide steadier income for growers, in line with the Ministry of Commerce’s Quick Big Win policy.
