The Department of Intellectual Property, Ministry of Commerce, announced the registration of "Som Sa from Ban Wang Som Sa, Phitsanulok" as the latest Geographical Indication (GI) product. This aims to elevate the local fruit into a high-value agricultural product, enhance Thai entrepreneurs' capabilities, generate income, and sustainably drive the community economy.
Oramon Subtaweetham, Director-General of the Department of Intellectual Property, stated that this registration aligns with the Ministry of Commerce's policy emphasizing strengthening SMEs and communities through local economic development with GI products. This helps create differentiation, reflects production standards, and prevents product name misuse.
Som Sa from Ban Wang Som Sa, Phitsanulok, is a local fruit grown in Mueang District, Phitsanulok Province, where the Nan River flows and the climate is suitable. These conditions give the Som Sa here distinctive traits: round, flat fruits with thick dark green skin, a bumpy surface resembling kaffir lime, a strong fragrant aroma, a sweet-sour taste with a slight bitterness, and a tingling sensation on the tongue.
Historically, Som Sa was introduced and planted along the Nan River by Hainanese Chinese immigrants over 100 years ago, which inspired the name "Ban Wang Som Sa." The community still preserves traditional culture, such as using Som Sa fruits as offerings in the Loy Krathong Festival to honor the Goddess Thapthim, showing that Som Sa is both an economic crop and an important cultural asset.
Because of its distinctive flavor, Som Sa is popular in traditional Thai dishes like "Ma Hor" as well as desserts and beverages such as Som Chun, Som Sa juice, and Som Sa tea and coffee. It is also developed into health and beauty products including soap, skin cream, shampoo, and herbal inhalants.
According to the Department of Intellectual Property, Som Sa from Ban Wang Som Sa, Phitsanulok, currently produces about 120,000 kilograms annually, generating economic value exceeding 3.6 million baht per year for the community.
The registration of Som Sa from Ban Wang Som Sa, Phitsanulok, marks the fourth GI product of the province, following Bang Kratum dried banana, Nam Dok Mai Si Thong mango, and Na Nong Kula rice flour. Thailand now has a total of 258 GI products with a combined value exceeding 116.111 billion baht.
Moving forward, the Department of Intellectual Property is committed to fully supporting the community in quality control, packaging development, market expansion, and transforming production areas into agricultural and cultural tourism sites to foster strong, long-term growth.
Those interested in supporting the GI product Som Sa from Ban Wang Som Sa, Phitsanulok, can order online via Facebook: Ban Wang Som Sa and TikTok: Wang Som Sa.
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