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Rambutan. Khao Lak's Fruit with Messy Hair.

Rambutan fruit from Khao Lak
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‘Tis the season for Rambutan, one of the natural and healthy delights of the Southern Thailand rainy season. The ripe clusters of red, spiky ovals bow the branches of a 10 -30 meter high evergreen tree, nephelium lappacaeum. Exotic to those of more northerly climes, this fruit is as common to tropical South-East Asia as is the apple in Europe or the N. America.

Stop your bike or taxi and grab a sack for about 20 Baht per kilogram at one of the numerous impromptu stalls along the roadside where locals peddle their backyard surplus.

Rambutan growing on the tree, nephelium lappacaeum

Rambutan growing on the tree, nephelium lappacaeum

If you have a decent grip and the fruit is ripe, access the succulent inner flesh by twisting with two hands in opposing directions. Or simply slice the leathery skin with a knife to make your twist with greater decorum. Inside, a 3-4 cm. long slippery and pale fruit like a peeled grape is exposed and easily falls away from the red outer rind.

Open rambutan fruit

The inside of the Rambutan fruit

Sweet, mild, slightly crisp to rubbery in texture, it has an almond shaped pit that separates easily from the outer flesh. Rambutan tastes somewhat like a grape but has a flavour all its own. You will eat not one, but several and understand why Indonesians also make jams and other preserves with it.

The Origins of the Name Rambutan

Asking for Rambutan

In Thai rambutan is called Ngeāa, written like this เงาะ

It is believed rambutan originated in Indonesia and the southern Malay peninsula. Indeed, the name “rambut” is of Malay dialect meaning “hairy” hence rambutan.

Surat Thani Province, right next door to Khao Lak, is Thailand/s biggest producer of the fruit, which prefers the humidity of southern Thailand to the cooler northern provinces.

Rambutans growing on tress

Rambutan ready for harvesting

Where to Buy Rambutan

During the rainy months in Khao Lak and surrounding areas rambutan is available almost everywhere. All markets and fruit vendors will have ample supplies at very reasonable prices. Along the roadside it is also common to see vendors selling mangosteen directly from the back of pick-up trucks.

Expect to pay around 20 Thai Baht per kilo.

Khao Lak’s Main Fresh Produce Market Location

Aug 9, 2014Khao Lak Wired
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Khao Lak Wired
Khao Lak Wired

Khao Lak Wired is a guide to the best of Khao Lak and its surrounding area. The online magazine is written by locals and expats who have settled in Khao Lak. We provide readers with interesting features and practical information for tourists visiting Khao Lak.
Khao Lak Wired will always be content driven.

6 years ago Fruit2,525
  • Things To Do
  • Eating Out
  • Nightlife
  • Where to Stay
    • Beach Bungalows
    • White Sand Beach
    • Koh Prathong
  • Tourist Info
  • Around Khao Lak
    • Koh Prathong
  • Khao Lak Weather
  • Khao Lak Calendar
  • Business Directory
  • About
  • Contact
Sparrow Bar Live Music Bar in Khao Lak
Sparrow Bar
6 years ago

The Sparrow Bar in Bang Niang is one of Khao Lak's most up and coming live music venues. A great place to enjoy a cold beer or exotic cocktail whilst getting down to a heady mix of classic rock, dance anthems, Thai rock and of course some tropical reggae. All to this to a backdrop of pirates, shipwrecks, pirates, revelry and superb Thai hospitality.

Weather at Ban Nam Kem, Thailand
Sunny Spells in Early July
6 years ago

The sunny weather that marked the end of June continued well into the first week of July. Rain and storms had been forecast, but instead Khao Lak saw plenty of blue skies, white fluffy clouds and warm temperatures.

Towards the middle of July Khao Lak's weather returned to it's predicable low season weather patterns. Scattered showers throughout the day and high humidity. There were plenty of dry spells too allowing people to get out and about.

Khao Lak's first big storm of the low season so far
First Big Storm of the Low Season
6 years ago

The start of June saw Khao Lak's weather follow its now fairly predicable climate pattern, bright cool mornings and humid afternoons with rain showers. Towards the middle of June a strong south west prevailing monsoon wind blowing over the Andaman Sea brought with it adverse conditions to Khao Lak and much of southern and central Thailand.

Fantastic Fruit
Visiting Khao Lak? Don't miss the fantastic, fresh fruits currently in season.
Rambutan
‘Tis the season for Rambutan, one of the natural and healthy delights of the Southern Thailand rainy season. Read more...
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