A chance to experience nature tourism and pick exotic fruit in Thailand's fruit capital

04:25pm, Friday 4 May 2018

A great durian crop

May and June are the best months to enjoy nature tourism and a unique farm experience picking and sampling exotic fruit courtesy of Thailand's award winning eco resort Faasai Resort and Spa.

Visitors are flocking to Thailand's fruit capital of Chanthaburi to buy the new season's crop of exotic tropical fruits from local orchards. The highlight is the large spikey durian fruit which is indigenous to Southeast Asia and excitement is greater than ever after Chinese buyers snapped up 80,000 of them in 60 seconds when they were put on sale on Alibaba. Other specialities of the region include exotic fruits such as mangosteen, longkong and rambutan, which are delicious but not widely grown around the world, so unfamiliar to western palates. Whereas durian are called King of the Fruits, mangosteen, which are purple outside and a luscious white inside are called Queen of the Fruits. The challenge is to pick mangosteen as the trees are large.

During the fruit season, Chanthaburi's award-winning eco resort Faasai Resort and Spa is offering a special farm experience package which includes a visit to local orchards as well as its own organic farm and nature sanctuary. A sampling of fresh local fruit is included on the breakfast menu and visitors wanting fruit to take home can buy it direct from the growers at roadside stalls.

Resort owner Bronwen Evans points out that Chanthaburi is a beautiful coastal province which is off the beaten tourist track in Thailand. Thanks to its luscious topical fruit, beaches, national parks and waterfalls it has been selected as one of Thailand's 12 hidden gems where visitors can experience authentic Thailand.

″The breakfast fruit and visit to our farm and neighboring orchards are available free to our guests,″ she said. ″Guests can pick mangosteen, rambutan and longkongs in our orchards, feed the fish and cows, and explore the freshwater lake and wetlands which is especially beautiful this time of year as the flame trees and golden shower trees are in flower.″

The organic orchard and sanctuary is just a short walk from the resort which covers more than three acres and is filled with many indigenous and flowering trees and birdlife. It is nestled into a forest-covered hill which runs down to the sandy and rocky beach of Kung Wiman Bay.

″When people tire of eating fruit they can check out the beach and enjoy the freshly caught seafood from the local fishing fleet including squid, seabass, crabs and locally raised shrimps″ she added. ″The local food is fantastic and well worth a visit to our local area of Kung Wiman.″

For more information about the fruit festival and other activities at Faasai Resort and Spa, email info@faasai.com or call Bronwen on +66868892595.

Awards won by Faasai Resort and Spa
Green award and special award for cultivation and use of herbs and spices from the Governor of Chanthaburi 2011
Outstanding service to the environment and nature in the Eastern region -Thailand Boutique Awards 2010
Best Small Hotel in Thailand - TAT Green Awards 2011 and 2009.
Responsible Tourism award - Faasai Resort & Spa was runner-up in the budget category in the 2008 Wild Asia Responsible Tourism Awards.

The creamy durian flesh that so many people find irresistible

Tree with durian fruit

Having fun with durian