The Department of Intellectual Property announced "Wiang Kaen Pomelo" as a new GI product, boosting Chiang Rai to rank second among provinces with the most GI products in Thailand, totaling nine items and generating community value exceeding 400 million baht per year.
The Department of Intellectual Property, Ministry of Commerce, announced the registration of "Wiang Kaen Pomelo" as a Geographical Indication (GI) to protect the reputation, quality, and unique local identity of this economically important fruit from Wiang Kaen District, Chiang Rai Province. This aims to raise its market value, build consumer confidence, and support sustainable income for farmers and local communities, driving grassroots economic development alongside preserving community production wisdom.
Oramon Subtaveetham, Director-General of the Department of Intellectual Property, revealed that promoting GI protection is a key mission under the Ministry of Commerce's Quick Big Win policy, which strengthens Thai entrepreneurs through intellectual property. GI registration serves as a vital mechanism to add tangible value to Thailand’s distinctive agricultural products, with reliable quality control and traceability systems, connecting products to modern markets to enhance the competitive potential of local community goods for stable and sustainable growth.
Recently, the Department of Intellectual Property registered "Wiang Kaen Pomelo," a prominent fruit from the Ngao River basin, as the ninth GI product of Chiang Rai, following Doi Tung coffee, Doi Chang coffee, Nang Lae pineapple, Phu Lae pineapple of Chiang Rai, Chiang Rai tea, Chiang Rai sticky rice, Lanna red rice (jointly with seven other northern provinces), and Wiang Ka Long ceramics. These eight previous GI products have generated over 300 million baht annually for the province. With the addition of Wiang Kaen Pomelo, Chiang Rai becomes the province with the second highest number of GI products in Thailand, behind Nakhon Ratchasima which has 11 GI items. This reflects the province’s rich natural resources, longstanding traditional wisdom, and the capability of local people to drive strong community economies.
The Director-General of the Department of Intellectual Property stated that Wiang Kaen Pomelo is cultivated in Wiang Kaen District, Chiang Rai Province, covering four subdistricts: Muang Yai, Lai Ngao, Por, and Tha Kham. The terrain is a basin surrounded by mountains with the Ngao River flowing through all subdistricts. The soil is alluvial, rich in organic matter, well-drained, with suitable pH levels. Combined with favorable climate conditions, this results in Wiang Kaen Pomelo having outstanding quality in taste, texture, and freshness, recognized by consumers both domestically and internationally.
The registered Wiang Kaen Pomelo includes three varieties: 1) Khao Yai, with oval fruit averaging 1.2–2.5 kilograms, greenish-yellow skin, dense crisp flesh with pale yellowish-white color, a sweet-sour taste with slight fizz, astringency, and bitterness, and sweetness not less than 9 degrees Brix; 2) Thong Dee, with round-flat fruit averaging 1–2 kilograms, yellow skin, soft juicy flesh with light pink color, sweet-sour flavor with slight bitterness and fizz, and sweetness not below 9 degrees Brix; and 3) Seller, with round fruit averaging 0.8–2.0 kilograms, light green skin, crisp flesh with ruby red color, sweet-sour taste with slight fizz, and sweetness not below 9 degrees Brix. Currently, 1,383 households produce Wiang Kaen Pomelo in Chiang Rai, with average annual production around 25,130 tons, creating market value exceeding 100 million baht per year, including export value of about 50 million baht annually, mainly to China. This demonstrates the potential of Thailand’s distinctive agricultural products to compete effectively in global markets.
The Director-General of the Department of Intellectual Property added that GI registration of "Wiang Kaen Pomelo" not only protects the product name and quality linked to geographic origin but also raises agricultural product value, increases farmers’ income, and strengthens the grassroots economy of Chiang Rai sustainably. After registration, the department will continue driving GI initiatives through quality control systems, traceability, and marketing promotion to boost income and expand community business. Benefits from GI registration will be distributed to all stakeholders.
Moreover, the Department of Intellectual Property has expanded cooperation with leading e-commerce platforms such as TikTok Shop, Shopee, and Lazada to support online sales channels for GI products, increasing accessibility through live streaming, short clips, and promotional activities. This is coupled with expanding export markets and enhancing collaboration to prevent intellectual property infringements on e-commerce platforms. These efforts will enhance the competitiveness of Thai GI product entrepreneurs in the international trade arena and drive sustainable and stable growth of the grassroots economy.
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