Can I only buy it in season?
It is listed as Harvest listed April–August. The harvest period can differ by growing area and variety. The calendar does not guarantee that the fruit is on sale on any given day.
Rambutan
Rambutan · เงาะ
Meet rambutan, with its red skin covered in hair-like spines. Peel it and you find white flesh with sweet juice. The outside may look unfamiliar, but peeling it and taking out the seed is simple. It is also fine to buy just a few at the market and taste them.
When is the best time to eat it?
Harvest listed April–August
Harvest periods differ by growing area
Nasan Rong Rian rambutan: harvest listed July–August
Use the main season, or the harvest period of a regional fruit, as a guide. Actual harvests can vary with the growing area, the variety and the weather.
What does it taste like?
The white flesh is sweet and juicy. There are also varieties, such as Thailand's Rong Rian, that differ in texture and in how easily the flesh comes off the seed.
Why this fruit is known in Thailand
The skin that looks as if it has hair stands out, and inside is white flesh. The Tourism Authority of Thailand introduces Nasan Rong Rian rambutan of Surat Thani as a regional GI fruit.
Basics to know before you buy
- Thai name
- เงาะ
- Harvest period
- Harvest listed April–August
- Regional fruit
- Nasan Rong Rian rambutan: harvest listed July–August
- How to buy
- Ask whether it is sold by the kg or in a fixed bag. Choose only the amount you will eat right away, peel it and take out the seed.
How to prepare and eat it
- Make a shallow cut in the skin, then open it and peel it off.
- Eat the white flesh, but 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 · 14 October 2026
These are prices by variety and grade surveyed by Thailand's Department of Internal Trade. They do not apply at every street stall.
| Fruit and variety | Price | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Rambutan · Rong Rian (โรงเรียน) | 50–60 baht | 1 kg |
Look separately at the price of a bag or tray of cut fruit and the per-kg price of whole fruit. Bananas are priced per bunch in this survey.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare a per-kg price with a price per tray?
Ask whether it is sold by the kg or in a fixed bag. Choose only the amount you will eat right away, peel it and take out the seed.
Keep exploring
Official sources
If you want to read more about the food and the regions behind it, these sources are a good next step. Ingredients and cooking methods can differ from one place to the next.