Beyond Fair Trade

The author of Uncommon Grounds offers “a rich and resonantly detailed account of an unlikely partnership” that redefined the concept of fair trade (Coffee Review). The Akha hill Tribe of Thailand has a long, tumultuous history. Politics, economics, and land development consistently worked against the Akha’s desire to move away from their dependency on opium production and create a stable future for their children. That all changed in 2006 when Canadian businessman John Darch met with Thai entrepreneur Wicha Promyong. Their meeting resulted in the establishment of an equal partnership business venture that goes beyond fair trade: the Doi Chaang Coffee Company. Beyond Fair Trade tells the story of the growth of this unique partnership, its successes and challenges, and the incredible people who made it happen.