Longan · ลำไย
If you are curious about the fruit of Chiang Mai and the north, try longan. It is a small fruit with a thin brown skin, translucent flesh and a black stone inside. Peel and eat them one at a time and you get a sweet taste. Dried longan and fresh fruit differ in texture, so you could taste the fresh fruit first.
Main season June–August
Listed as available all year
Biao Kiao longan from Lamphun: harvest period listed as July–September
Use the main season, or the harvest period for regional fruit, as a guide. Actual availability can vary with the growing area, the variety and the weather.
The flesh is sweet, and the aroma varies with the variety. There is a black stone inside the white flesh, so you take it out as you eat.
It is a good fruit to learn about in connection with northern Thailand. Biao Kiao longan from Lamphun is presented as a regional GI fruit, and it is enjoyed dried as well as fresh.
Bangkok retail prices · 14 October 2026
These are prices by variety and grade, surveyed by Thailand’s Department of Internal Trade. They do not apply to every stall on the street.
| Fruit and variety | Price | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Longan · E-daw (อีดอ) | 50–60 baht | 1 kg |
Keep the price of a bag or tub of cut fruit separate from the per-kilo price of whole fruit. Bananas are priced per bunch in this survey.
The guide gives its timing as: Main season June–August. It is available all year, but volumes and prices can change with the season and the variety. The calendar does not guarantee that it is on sale on any particular date.
Look at whether it is sold in bunches with the stalk or as loose fruit. Choosing by the variety and weight on the price label makes it easier to compare.
If you would like to read more about the food and the regions behind it, these sources are worth a look. Ingredients and cooking methods can vary from one cook to the next.
Sharing image credit: Mattis · CC BY-SA 4.0
