BAN NA SARN VILLAGE RAMBUTAN FESTIVAL
July 16 – 25, 2010
Along the Klong Chawang canal in the village of Ban Na Sarn, Surat Thani province
The village of Ban Na Sarn in Surat Thani province is noted for its famous Ngoh Rongrian rambutans — round hairy fruits with bright red skin and a distinctive bright lime-green tip at the end of each ‘hair’. The translucent honey-coloured flesh of the Ngoh Rongrian or “school” rambutan fruit is sweet and juicy.
The Origins of the Name
The rambutan is believed to be a native fruit of Malaysia. The name of the hairy fruit — rambutan — is though to have been derived from the word “rambut”, the word for hair in Malay.
According to ancient folk tales, a Malaysian-Chinese tin miner who travelled from the island of Penang to the the southern province of Surat Thani to mine tin brought along with him several rambutan trees. A school (rong rian in Thai) was subsequently built on the plot of land where the rambutan trees were planted. Hence, the hairy fruits came to be known as Ngoh Rongrian or “school” rambutans.
Rambutans are an important economic crop for the southern Thai provinces where they are commonly found.
The village of Ban Na Sarn in Surat Thani province stages an annual Ngoh Rongrian Rambutan Festival during the harvest season when rambutans and other tropical fruits such as zalacca and mangosteen are in abundant supply. Villages also grow Shogun orange trees in the orchards. This presents an ideal opportunity for agro-tourism.
Key Activities and Popular Highlights of the Festival
Community floral float procession
Ngoh Rongrian Rambutan Contest
Rambutan eating contest
Fruit basket contest
Miss Ngoh Rongrian beauty contest and Community sweetheart contest
Ground Dove contest
Sales of local village products from the sub-districts or tambon, promoted under the OTOP — "One Tambon, One Product" label
Stage drama and folk performances by local artists
Orchard tours and mountain-bike races
Contact information:
Tourism Authority of Thailand, Surat Thani Office
Tel: 0 7728 8818-9
Fax: 0 7728 2828
E-mail: tatsurat@tat.or.th
IMPORTANT
Event dates and programme details may be subject to change.
Many of the festivals and events listed on Thailand's official calendar of annual events are traditional Buddhist or folk festivals, the date of which is either determined by the Buddhist lunar calendar and waxing and waning moon. These are not staged events. The festivals reflect the rhythm of life in rural Thai villages and local traditions as observed in times past. To ensure you have the most updated information, please reconfirm details prior to travel.
