Thai MP showcases durians in parliament, questions influencer's low-price promotion impacting farmers' income
A Thai MP criticized an influencer's low-price durian promotion, arguing it negatively impacts farmers' income. The promotion aimed to support durian farmers facing overproduction due to weak Chinese demand, but concerns about market disruption have been raised.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 30, 2026 at 20:27
- 🔍 Collected: April 30, 2026 at 20:32 (4 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 1, 2026 at 06:13 (9h 41m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Li Zongxian, Bangkok, 30th) Thai People's Party MP Krit Silapachai yesterday displayed durians in parliament and weighed them, criticizing an influencer's recent low-price durian promotion as unrealistic and potentially impacting the market. Previously, an influencer promoted durians online for 100 Thai Baht per fruit (approximately 97 New Taiwan Dollars), which was criticized as dumping and affecting farmers' income.
Due to weak Chinese demand and competition from other countries, Thai durians, mainly exported to China, are currently facing the threat of overproduction. Therefore, authorities encouraged sales on live streaming platforms, but prices have also significantly dropped as a result.
Thai celebrity influencer Pimrypie (real name: Pimradaporn Benjawattanapat) recently sold durians online via live stream for only 100 Thai Baht per fruit, far below the market price of 700 to 800 Thai Baht, attracting hundreds of thousands of viewers.
However, after the live streaming event, it immediately drew criticism that the low-price dumping could impact the market. In response, the Ministry of Commerce clarified that the promotional price of 100 Thai Baht was to promote lower-grade durians to help farmers cope with this year's overproduction exceeding 33%, and stated that these durians do not meet export standards.
Thai Enquirer reported today that Krit Silapachai, an MP from Thailand's opposition People's Party, brought a box of three durians to parliament yesterday and used a scale to weigh them, criticizing the influencer's recent low-price durian promotion as unrealistic and potentially impacting the market.
Krit also pointed out that Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun's participation in the live streaming promotion was "ill-timed" and warned that it could undermine market confidence. He was referring to Suphajee's appearance in the influencer's durian sales live stream video.
In response to the criticism, Thai Commerce Minister Suphajee stated that she only appeared in the live stream footage but did not participate in the event details. She also explained that the durians sold by the influencer were ripe and less aesthetically pleasing, but had excellent flesh and taste, making them suitable for small families.
Bangkok Post reported today that influencer Pimrypie admitted that her "100 Thai Baht durian promotion" was to help farmers sell overproduced durians, but she ultimately incurred a loss of over 10 million Thai Baht. She emphasized that the move was to support durian farmers facing overproduction, aiming to raise public awareness of the agricultural crisis, not to disrupt market prices.
Krit stated that farmers are facing increasing cost pressures, including fertilizers, pesticides, and fuel, while middlemen, especially Chinese-funded packaging plants, almost dominate pricing power. He also accused traders of pre-purchasing orchards and early harvesting to get better prices, which consequently lowers the quality of the durians.
Another MP, Pai Leeke of the Klatham Party, questioned whether the 100 Thai Baht pricing was reasonable and warned that it could mislead consumers. He called on the government to improve agricultural management, stabilize prices, and strengthen reforms. (Edited by Hsieh Yi-hsuan) 1150430
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(Central News Agency reporter Li Zongxian, Bangkok, 30th) Thai People's Party MP Krit Silapachai yesterday displayed durians in parliament and weighed them, criticizing an influencer's recent low-price durian promotion as unrealistic and potentially impacting the market. Previously, an influencer promoted durians online for 100 Thai Baht per fruit (approximately 97 New Taiwan Dollars), which was criticized as dumping and affecting farmers' income.
Due to weak Chinese demand and competition from other countries, Thai durians, mainly exported to China, are currently facing the threat of overproduction. Therefore, authorities encouraged sales on live streaming platforms, but prices have also significantly dropped as a result.
Thai celebrity influencer Pimrypie (real name: Pimradaporn Benjawattanapat) recently sold durians online via live stream for only 100 Thai Baht per fruit, far below the market price of 700 to 800 Thai Baht, attracting hundreds of thousands of viewers.
However, after the live streaming event, it immediately drew criticism that the low-price dumping could impact the market. In response, the Ministry of Commerce clarified that the promotional price of 100 Thai Baht was to promote lower-grade durians to help farmers cope with this year's overproduction exceeding 33%, and stated that these durians do not meet export standards.
Thai Enquirer reported today that Krit Silapachai, an MP from Thailand's opposition People's Party, brought a box of three durians to parliament yesterday and used a scale to weigh them, criticizing the influencer's recent low-price durian promotion as unrealistic and potentially impacting the market.
Krit also pointed out that Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun's participation in the live streaming promotion was "ill-timed" and warned that it could undermine market confidence. He was referring to Suphajee's appearance in the influencer's durian sales live stream video.
In response to the criticism, Thai Commerce Minister Suphajee stated that she only appeared in the live stream footage but did not participate in the event details. She also explained that the durians sold by the influencer were ripe and less aesthetically pleasing, but had excellent flesh and taste, making them suitable for small families.
Bangkok Post reported today that influencer Pimrypie admitted that her "100 Thai Baht durian promotion" was to help farmers sell overproduced durians, but she ultimately incurred a loss of over 10 million Thai Baht. She emphasized that the move was to support durian farmers facing overproduction, aiming to raise public awareness of the agricultural crisis, not to disrupt market prices.
Krit stated that farmers are facing increasing cost pressures, including fertilizers, pesticides, and fuel, while middlemen, especially Chinese-funded packaging plants, almost dominate pricing power. He also accused traders of pre-purchasing orchards and early harvesting to get better prices, which consequently lowers the quality of the durians.
Another MP, Pai Leeke of the Klatham Party, questioned whether the 100 Thai Baht pricing was reasonable and warned that it could mislead consumers. He called on the government to improve agricultural management, stabilize prices, and strengthen reforms. (Edited by Hsieh Yi-hsuan) 1150430
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
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The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.