Vendor Direk Khaewdum
sells his durian at the Hollywood three-way intersection in North
Pattaya.
Pairat Songsod
In Pattaya, summer smells like durian. The pungent fruit may be
so odiferous many businesses prohibit eating it indoors, but still tops
the list of favorite sweets for Thais during warm weather. Firm on the
outside, soft and juicy on the inside, durian comes in dozens of
varieties, some which have even been genetically engineered not to reek.
The Kanyao, Monthong and Chanee varieties were selling best May 8 at a
street market in North Pattaya.
Vendor Direk Khaewdum, 36, said he’s been selling durian for years,
buying them from Chantaburi and selling them for up to 60 baht a
kilogram.
Durians have been selling so well, some have been getting into fruit
selling just for the hot months, he said.
Another reason for their popularity could be that durians are a guilty
pleasure. In addition to its stench, the fruit is also extremely high in
cholesterol and eating even moderate quantities has been linked to high
blood pressure and heart disease.
