Thailand Registers “Som Za Ban Wang Som Za Phitsanulok” as New GI Product to Boost Local Economy

The Department of Intellectual Property under the Ministry of Commerce has officially registered “Som Za Ban Wang Som Za Phitsanulok” as Thailand’s newest Geographical Indication (GI) product, marking the fourth GI item from Phitsanulok Province. The registration aims to elevate the unique local citrus fruit into a high-value agricultural product while strengthening community-based economic development and promoting local identity through sustainable economic initiatives.

The traditional fruit has long been cultivated in Muang District, Phitsanulok, where the area’s fertile floodplains and climate contribute to its distinctive characteristics. The fruit is known for its thick dark-green peel, aromatic fragrance, and unique sweet-sour flavor with a slightly bitter aftertaste. Som Za is widely used in traditional Thai cuisine and beverages, while its peel and extracts are also processed into health and beauty products such as soaps, shampoos, herbal inhalers, and cosmetics. Annual production currently reaches around 120,000 kilograms, generating approximately 3.6 million baht for local communities each year.

Authorities stated that GI registration will help protect the authenticity of the product, prevent misuse of the name, and improve consumer confidence through traceable production standards. Plans are also underway to support packaging development, marketing knowledge, and tourism promotion linked to the historic Ban Wang Som Za community, which preserves Hainanese Chinese cultural traditions dating back more than a century. The new registration brings the total number of Thai GI products to 258, with a combined economic value exceeding 116 billion baht nationwide.