Picture courtesy of Khomchadluek 

 

A scandal has rocked Thailand’s durian export industry following revelations that Vietnamese durian is being illicitly mixed with Thai durian before being exported to China. The operation, allegedly orchestrated by Chinese investors, is believed to be one of the causes behind the recent decline in durian prices and reduced demand from Chinese buyers.

 

Rayong MP Phongsathorn Sornpetchanarin led a joint task force of government officials and local citizens in a raid on a rubberwood warehouse in Klaeng district, Rayong province, after receiving a tip-off. Upon inspection, they discovered two refrigerated container trucks, one filled with peeled frozen durian from Vietnam and another empty truck apparently prepared to transport the produce to Laem Chabang port.

 

The Chinese national present, identified as the owner of the cargo, failed to provide documentation for the import and transportation of the Vietnamese durian, claiming the papers were at a processing plant in Chanthaburi.

 

Mr Phongsathorn has since filed an official complaint with police inspector Pol Lt Sayan Panjarak at Ban Kram Police Station. He is expected to meet with the provincial governor to discuss decisive action against the perpetrators.

 

Insiders say Vietnamese durians have previously faced strict inspection in China due to chemical residue, especially cadmium, leading to import restrictions and plummeting domestic prices. To bypass these controls and raise export value fraudulently, some traders have turned to blending the Vietnamese produce with Thailand’s premium durian.

 

Police are now gathering evidence to prosecute those involved in the smuggling operation, with the goal of protecting the international reputation of Thai durian.

 

The incident has intensified fears among Thai growers. During the operation on the night of 22 May, officials found three containers involved:

 

1. Truck registration Chonburi, container number FSCU 5869275: fully loaded with peeled frozen durian and sealed with tag number P15199.

2. Truck registration Chonburi, container number FSCU 5910933: also fully loaded with peeled frozen durian.

3. Truck registration Chonburi, container number OTPU 6488932: empty container, unsealed.

 

One of the drivers initially refused to disclose his purpose, claiming only to be transporting an empty container. Under questioning, he admitted that his employer from Laem Chabang had instructed him to pick up a durian shipment.

 

The scandal has raised concerns about a potential oversupply of Thai durians as Chinese buyers reduce their orders. With prices falling, farmers are at risk of serious financial losses. Some fear a repeat of previous years when plummeting prices drove some growers to desperate measures, including suicide due to overwhelming debts.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khomchadluek 2025-05-25.

 

 

 

Is believed....is expected.. fact is that Thai durian is just too expensive.. and it is no wonder the greed is so big that it will be mixed with other durians to get the highest possible profits...That is everything in Thailand all about money.. And that there are maybe Chinese be involved??? Could be ... but proof or just saving face for the Thai?

2 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Is believed....is expected.. fact is that Thai durian is just too expensive.. and it is no wonder the greed is so big that it will be mixed with other durians to get the highest possible profits...That is everything in Thailand all about money.. And that there are maybe Chinese be involved??? Could be ... but proof or just saving face for the Thai?

The Chinese national present, identified as the owner of the cargo