The northern Thai city of Chiang Rai hosted a large Tea and Coffee Festival from August 14 to 16, 2026, at Rajabhat University, bringing together three regional events under one roof: the Chiangrai Tea and Coffee Festival, the Eastern Lanna Coffee and Tea Festival, and Chiangrai World Coffee & Tea.
Backed by local authorities, the event featured product exhibitions, business networking sessions, tasting workshops, and competitions including a latte art contest and a "Drip Bag Smackdown" challenge. Organizers said the goal was to support highland farming communities and connect local growers with international buyers.
The festival positions Chiang Rai as an emerging global hub for tea and coffee, leaning on experience-based tourism: visitors could see the full cultivation and processing journey firsthand at working farms, from leaf to cup.
Source: Chiang Rai Times