Can I only buy it in season?
It is listed as Harvest listed Apr–Aug. The harvest period can vary by growing region and variety. The calendar does not guarantee that it is on sale on any given day.
Rambutan
Rambutan · เงาะ
Meet the rambutan, a red fruit with hair-like spines on its rind. Peel it and you find white flesh with sweet juice. The outside looks unfamiliar, but removing the rind and seed is simple. It is worth buying just a few at a market to try.
When is the best time to eat it?
Harvest listed Apr–Aug
Harvest period varies by growing region
Na San Rong Rian rambutan: harvest listed for Jul–Aug
Use the main harvest period, or the harvest window for a regional fruit, as a guide. Actual availability can change with growing region, variety and weather.
What does it taste like?
The white flesh is sweet and juicy. Some varieties, such as the Thai rong rian, differ in texture and in how easily the flesh comes off the seed.
Why this fruit is known in Thailand
The hairy-looking rind stands out, with white flesh inside. The Tourism Authority of Thailand introduces Rong Rian rambutan of Na San, Surat Thani, as a regional GI fruit.
Buying basics
- Thai name
- เงาะ
- Harvest period
- Harvest listed Apr–Aug
- Regional fruit
- Na San Rong Rian rambutan: harvest listed for Jul–Aug
- How to buy
- Ask whether it is sold by the kilogram or in a fixed bag. Pick only what you will eat right away, peel it and remove the seed.
How to prepare and eat it
- Make a shallow slit in the rind, then open it and peel it off.
- Eat the white flesh and take out the seed in the middle.
- If it is sold in a bag, look at the weight and the price together before you buy.
Price reference
Bangkok retail prices · October 14, 2026
These are prices by variety and grade surveyed by Thailand's Department of Internal Trade. They do not apply to every street vendor.
| Fruit and variety | Price | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Rambutan · Rong Rian (โรงเรียน) | 50–60 baht | 1 kg |
Keep the price of a bag or tray of cut fruit separate from the per-kilogram price of whole fruit. In this survey, bananas are priced per bunch.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare a per-kilogram price with a price per pack?
Ask whether it is sold by the kilogram or in a fixed bag. Pick only what you will eat right away, peel it and remove the seed.
Keep exploring
Official sources and references
If you want to read more about the food and the regions behind it, these sources are a good place to start. Ingredients and recipes can vary from one restaurant to the next.