Thailand is home to a large variety of delicious fruits, both seasonal, such as durian, rambutan, mangosteen, longan, lychee etc. and all-year-round, such as papaya, guava, coconut, orange, banana, pineapple, rose apple etc., all of which are as nutritious as they are delicious. The huge variety of local produce, combined with the culinary art of the Thai people, has resulted in a wealth of ways that Thai fruits can be enjoyed all-year-round. Get the real taste of Thai fruits ... Just one bite, that's all it takes. Thailand is popularly known as the "land of smiles", "land of yellow robes" and probably another popularity of Thailand is a land of tropical fruits as the country is blessed with a myriad of delicious tropical and temperate fruits which only vary depending on the season. Even though a fruit may not be in season, it can be found in candied or preserved form. Moreover, some fruit like grapes are even coached to bear fruit all year round. Indeed, Thailand is a paradise for those who love fruit. Generally Thai fruits are sweet including those which are traditionally sour such as santol and tamarind. Since fruit crops in Thailand are plentiful all the year round, they are becoming more and more important export earners for the country which in 1989 earned up to 8,503.74 million baht from its export of fresh and processed fruits to nearby countries such as Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan which prefer Thai mangoes especially their favourite type known in Thai as "Nang Klang Wan". Regarding seasonality, Thai fruit crops can be classified into two groups. The first is a seasonal fruit crop which includes mangoes, durians, rambutans, longans, sugar apples, mangosteens and lichees. The second group is a year-round crop which includes pineapples, bananas, papayas, and jackfruits. This is the reason why fresh fruit is available in the local market everyday of the year. Recently, several temperate fruit crops such as apples, peaches and strawberries have been successfully grown in the hilly areas of northern Thailand. Actually, the major fruit-producing areas are located mostly in the eastern and southern regions of the country, even then the central region also produces a variety of fruit for the markets in every season, for example pomeloes are largely grown in Nakhon Pathom Province while Ratchaburi Province is widely known as the grape-producing area etc. As Thai fruit farmers are always eager to plant new varieties and improve the existing varieties, Thailand is never without fruit. In the country side, some fruit trees such as bananas are also used as a fence around their houses, though they are far inferior to barbed-wire, they provide greenery and fresh air to all living nearby. Durian (Turian): Known as the "King of Fruits", durian is admired for its unique taste. The ripe flesh of the durian is truly delicious but can perhaps best be enjoyed when mixed with glutinous rice and coconut milk. Durian is grown in abundance in the East and South, and although there are many different varieties, Morn Thong, Kan Yao and Chanee are the most famous. Mangosteen (Mangkhud): One of the tastiest tropical fruits, mangosteen has a sweet, sharp taste that appeals to local people and visitors alike. Known as the "Queen of Fruits", it is believed by many that the white juicy flesh can help revitalise and reduce the body temperature. Pomelo (Som-O): A member of the citrus family, the finest Thai pomelos are those from the central region especially in Nakhon Pathom, Chai Nat and Phichit. Sweet and tangy, pomelo can be enjoyed as a salad or with syrup. Mango (Mamuang): Thailand is home to many varieties of mango. Some of which can be eaten unripe, some either ripe or unripe while sour ones are enjoyed with a sweet, salty dip called "Nam Pla Wan". Ripe mangos with sweet sticky rice, especially the Nam Dok Mai and Ok Rong varieties, are an all-time-favourite Thai dessert. Rambutan (Ngoh): A fruit native to many Southeast Asian nations; Thai rambutans, mostly grown in the South and East, are sweet and succulent, the juicy flesh coming easily away from the stone. Favourite varieties are Ngoh Rong Rien and Ngoh Si Chompoo. Longan (Lamyai): Thai longans are known as one of the best in the world, the sweet, pinkish-white flesh is believed by many to energise the body and banish fatigue. Longan can be enjoyed as dessert either with syrup, sticky rice, or tapioca.

In Thailand there are a lot of different fruits like mango, durian, tamarind etc. My favourite fruits are durian, mango, custard apple (sugar apple), papaya and banana. Out of these fruits durian is the smelliest, all hotels don't let anyone bring it in. I like fruit very much. I eat it very often. It is cheap to buy in the market.

(left): Pomegrarate

(right): Tamarinds

(left): Oranges

(right): Coconuts

(left): Banana

(right): Papaya

(left): Star Gooseberry

(right): Rose Apple

(left): Acid Zalacca

(right): Mango

(left): Mangosteen

(right): Pomelo, Pumelo, Pummelo

(left): Durians

(right): Star Fruits

(left): Longkongs

(right): Guava

(left): Lychees, Litchis

(right): Custard Apples