The Department of Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce, is pushing ahead with its fruit management measures for 2026 by organising the "Thailand Durian Festival 2026," to be held from 14–20 August 2026 at Central Northville. The event invites the public to support Thai durian from quality-producing areas, and is packed with sales-promotion activities and Live Commerce sessions aimed at accelerating the distribution of durian from the South and North that is now gradually entering the market. The festival is designed to increase sales channels and return income to farmers, with expected spending of no less than 20 million baht within the event, and the capacity to absorb no less than 100 tonnes of durian output from producing areas.
Mr. Jirawut Suwannat, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade, revealed that durian output nationwide in 2026 is forecast at approximately 1.88 million tonnes, an increase of 20 percent from 2025. Output from the Eastern region is approximately 0.998 million tonnes, or 53 percent, while the South and North account for approximately 0.891 million tonnes, or 47 percent. Production in the Eastern region has already concluded for the season, while durian from the South and North is gradually coming to market and is expected to cluster heavily during July–September.
"This is a critical window in which we must accelerate distribution from producing areas to consumers as much as possible. The Department of Internal Trade is therefore deploying domestic market mechanisms to help farmers — including linking produce to retail and wholesale stores, expanding online sales channels, conducting Live Commerce, and promoting processed products — so that durian from orchards has greater market access, the concentration of output is reduced, and income is generated for farmers," Mr. Jirawut said.
The "Thailand Durian Festival 2026" is one of the Ministry of Commerce's urgent-phase fruit management measures for 2026. It brings quality durian from producing areas to locations with strong marketing potential, giving farmers and operators additional sales channels, while consumers will be able to choose quality Thai durian and durian-derived products at special prices. The event is expected to generate sales value of no less than 20 million baht and help absorb no less than 100 tonnes of durian from producing areas.
The festival is a full-scale celebration for durian lovers, featuring fresh quality durian from producing areas as well as processed goods from Southern farmers, such as crispy fried durian and freeze-dried durian. Highlight activities include special-price durian at 100 baht per fruit, limited to 1,000 fruits per day, available in four rounds daily at 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m.
Another highlight is a "Durian Buffet" priced at 699 baht per person, offered in three rounds daily: 1:00–2:00 p.m., 3:00–4:00 p.m., and 5:00–6:00 p.m. It features freshly scooped durian flesh, durian sticky rice, durian coconut milk, éclairs, and durian soft-serve ice cream, along with two Durian Café areas where durian is crafted into a variety of menu items, including cheese-baked durian, choux cream, tarts, cakes, and durian smoothies.
In addition, there are purchase-incentive promotions: spend 1,000 baht or more at the event and receive one complimentary cup of durian soft-serve ice cream or yoghurt worth 99 baht; spend 2,000 baht or more and receive the soft-serve plus the chance to take part in a challenge to stack ice cream as high as possible, with prizes including a 500-baht cash coupon and a durian hamper. Live Commerce sales activities are also featured to broaden consumer reach and help move more produce.
The Department of Internal Trade cordially invites the public to join the "Thailand Durian Festival 2026" from 14–20 August 2026 at Central Northville — to taste, shop, and support Thai durian. Every purchase not only offers the chance to savour quality durian, but also plays a part in expanding market channels, accelerating the absorption of orchard output, and channelling income back to Thai farmers during the period when durian from the South and North is flooding the market in large volumes.
