Piko is the head of the Akha community’s largest and most prominent family. In 1983, the first to start cultivating coffee. As the village head, he encouraged his fellow villagers to follow the King’s directive and join him in the cultivation of coffee. After 20 years of cultivating and processing beans, Piko decided it was time to roast and directly offer the coffee as a single-estate Arabica.
Piko is a kind, hard-working man who is proud of the Akha heritage, the community and the Akha’s success as independent coffee producers. The Doi Chang community respects the dedication and leadership of Piko and honours him by featuring his image within the Doi Chaang Coffee logo.
Wicha Promyong – Co-founder
Wicha spent many years as a successful businessman in Thailand and travelled extensively overseas before joining the Doi Chaang community. He helped many Northern Thailand hill tribes in their struggle for equality and acceptance. Piko asked Wicha for guidance in selling Doi Chaang Coffee and Wicha encouraged the villagers to unite and form an independent company to represent all of the Doi Chang farmers.
Not only was he instrumental in Doi Chaang’s development, Wicha helped raise the standard of living and self-respect of the Akha people. He lived among the Doi Chang community as a well respected and trusted family member. He embraced the Akha way and dedicated his life to improving the well being of the Akha people and establishing Doi Chaang Coffee as one of the best coffees in the world.