The History of Tea in Thailand

Tea from Thailand is predominantly high mountain Oolong, a high grade traditional Chinese Tea farmed in the northern mountainous regions of Doi Ang Khang, Doi Mae Salong, Baan Rak Thai and Doi Tung. The history of the Tea plantations in Thailand stems from the Koumintang in the former Republic of China. The Koumintang or KMT fought a long battle against the Communist Peoples Republic of China (modern day china) during the Chinese civil war in 1949. They were pushed out of mainland China to the island of Taiwan in the east and south through Yunan to Burma (Myanmar) and Northern Thailand. The KMT were given citizenship by the Thai government in exchange for fighting against communist insurgents on the border areas of North and North West Thailand.

The tea plants came from Taiwan and are farmed by the descendants of these KMT fighters. This high grade mountain Ooulong tea was planted after the removal of the areas extensive Opium / Poppy fields by the Thai government. Other cash crops were also grown to stimulate the move from a drug trafficking no go area to sustainable farming methods and a booming Tea industry. Tea in the Mae Salong area now accounts for 80% of the areas agricultural production.

You can check out our range of teas available here.