Permanent Secretary for Agriculture and Cooperatives Prayoon Insakul has presided over the launching of the tropical fruit season in eastern Thailand, which is famous for delicious fruits, agro-tourism, and fine beaches, as well as cultural and historical places of interest.

Speaking after the launching of the fruit season in Chanthaburi province on 24 March 2023, Mr. Prayoon stressed the need for farmers to develop the quality of their fruit products in order to create confidence among consumers. Farmers should also adjust to the present situation, as Thailand has reopened to tourists after the COVID-19 pandemic. In this regard, farmers have been encouraged to manage ago-tourism in their orchards to attract visitors and increase value for their products.

He said that the Department of Agricultural Extension had been assigned to work with relevant agencies in Chanthaburi in promoting agro-tourism, or community tourism, to generate more income and employment for farmers, which would also help empower them.

This period of the year is the season of tropical fruit in eastern Thailand, especially in Chanthaburi, Rayong, and Trat. Many fruit varieties of high quality, such as durian, mangosteen, rambutan, zalacca, longkong, and longan, are grown in abundance in these provinces.

Chanthaburi, in particular, is set to be developed into a fruit hub of Asia. Durian is one of the major fruit resources that makes a name for this province. It is recognized as the "king of tropical fruits,” and is also a favorite fruit among many Asian consumers, such as Thais, Chinese, Malaysians, and Bruneians. Durian usually hits the market from April to October. 

Like its neighboring provinces of Trat and Rayong, Chanthaburi is a popular area for agro-tourism, taking visitors to fruit orchards where they may eat all the fresh fruit they want and have an impressive experience in touch with nature.