Ora Kafé in Bangkok: Observing Southeast Asia’s New Coffee Direction

BANGKOK — Ora Kafé North Siargao accompanied Espressophile Journal to World of Coffee Asia 2026 in Bangkok from May 7–9 to observe the new movements shaping coffee culture across Southeast Asia.

What emerged across the three-day gathering was clear: the future of coffee in the region is no longer centered on cafés alone.

From Thailand and Vietnam to Indonesia and the Philippines, conversations increasingly focused on stronger coffee systems built around producers, national identity, roasting culture and long-term community growth.

More than 120 roasters gathered inside the expo, alongside farmers, baristas, educators, equipment manufacturers and café operators from across Asia and beyond.

Thailand, in particular, demonstrated how independent mountain farmers became the foundation of a thriving national coffee culture now expanding internationally alongside the country’s globally recognized food identity. Across the floor, cafés and consumers showed deep awareness of origin, harvest and producer stories, reinforcing how authenticity remains central to Thailand’s coffee movement.

Meanwhile, the Philippines quietly positioned itself as one of Southeast Asia’s most intriguing coffee wild cards.

Filipino baristas, roasters and café operators were visible across respected coffee systems from Australia to the Middle East, highlighting the growing global footprint of Filipino coffee talent.

Attention also shifted toward Liberica, the climate-resilient coffee species long associated with Philippine Barako culture.

Philippine roasters including The Good Cup, Cafe Ganin, Dew Roasters and Bodega Coffee Roasters presented Liberica through espresso and pour over formats, signaling how the species is steadily moving beyond heritage into serious specialty coffee conversation across Southeast Asia.

Still, challenges remain.

Farmers continue navigating market access and harvest consistency, while roasters and baristas refine calibrations capable of unlocking Liberica’s structure, body and aromatics under espresso extraction.

Inside many espresso bars throughout Bangkok, however, one thing remained universal:

precision.

18 grams in.

36 milliliters out.

Calibrated across Southeast Asia’s rapidly evolving coffee future.

Ora Kafé and Espressophile Journal continue documenting these movements as part of a broader effort to better understand where coffee culture, espresso identity and sensory café experiences are heading across the region.