CHIANG RAI – Thailand’s Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) has officially registered “Wiang Kaen Pomelo” as a Geographical Indication (GI). The goal is to protect the product name, quality, and local identity of this key economic fruit from Wiang Kaen District, Chiang Rai. The GI label also helps raise market value, build buyer trust, and support steady income for local farmers and communities.
According to Oramon Sapthaweetham, Director-General of the DIP, GI protection is part of the Ministry of Commerce’s Quick Big Win policy. The idea is simple: use intellectual property tools to strengthen Thai businesses.
When a product is registered as a GI, it gains a clear value boost because it comes with quality controls and a reliable traceability system. The department also works to connect GI products to modern retail channels, helping local goods compete and grow for the long term.
Chiang Rai Adds Its 9th GI Product
With this announcement, Wiang Kaen Pomelo becomes Chiang Rai’s 9th GI product. It joins a list that already includes:
- Doi Tung Coffee
- Doi Chang Coffee
- Nang Lae Pineapple
- Phu Lae Chiang Rai Pineapple
- Chiang Rai Tea
- Khao Niao Khiao Ngu Chiang Rai (sticky rice)
- Khao Kam Lanna (registered with seven other northern provinces)
- Wiang Ka Long Ceramics
The eight earlier GI items generate more than 300 million baht per year for Chiang Rai’s economy.
This new registration also places Chiang Rai as the province with the second-highest number of GI products in Thailand. It follows Nakhon Ratchasima, which has 11 GI listings. The ranking reflects Chiang Rai’s strong natural resources, long-held local know-how, and community effort that helps keep the local economy strong.
What Makes Wiang Kaen Pomelo Different
Wiang Kaen Pomelo is grown in Wiang Kaen District across four subdistricts: Muang Yai, Lai Ngao, Por, and Tha Kham. The area sits in a bowl-shaped basin surrounded by mountains, with the Ngao River flowing through all subdistricts.
This geography matters. River sediment creates fertile soil rich in organic matter, with good drainage and suitable pH levels. Combined with a supportive climate, these conditions help produce pomelos known for taste, texture, and juiciness. The fruit has earned recognition from buyers in Thailand and abroad.
GI-Registered Varieties of Wiang Kaen Pomelo
The GI registration covers three pomelo varieties:
- Khao Yai
Oval-shaped fruit, average weight about 1.2 to 2.5 kilograms. The peel is green with a yellow tint. The flesh is firm, crisp, and juicy, with a pale yellow-white color. The flavor is sweet and tart, with a fizzy note plus slight astringency and bitterness. Sweetness is at least 9° Brix. - Thong Dee
Round and slightly flattened, with an average weight of about 1 to 2 kilograms. The peel is yellow. The flesh is soft and juicy, with a light pink color. The taste is sweet with mild tartness, plus a small hint of bitterness and fizz. Sweetness is at least 9° Brix. - Seller
Round fruit, average weight about 0.8 to 2.0 kilograms. The peel is light green. The flesh is crisp, with a ruby-red color. The flavor is sweet and tart with a light, fizzy note. Sweetness is at least 9° Brix.
Production, Revenue, and Export Market
Today, Wiang Kaen Pomelo is produced by 1,383 households in Chiang Rai. Average output is about 25,130 tons per year. Total market value is more than 100 million baht annually, including about 50 million baht from exports. China is a key export market, showing that Thai origin-based farm products can compete internationally.
What the GI Label Changes for Farmers and Businesses
The GI registration for “Wiang Kaen Pomelo” goes beyond name protection. It helps increase product value, raise farmer income, and strengthen Chiang Rai’s local economy over time. After registration, the DIP plans to continue GI support through the full supply chain.
That includes product quality control systems, traceability, and marketing support to help expand sales and grow community businesses, while sharing the benefits with entrepreneurs across sectors.
The DIP is also working with major e-commerce platforms such as TikTok Shop, Shopee, and Lazada to support online sales of GI products.
This includes help with livestream selling, short video content, and sales campaigns, along with efforts to expand exports and improve cooperation to prevent intellectual property violations on e-commerce platforms.
