Nonthaburi, The Ministry of Commerce joins in celebrating His Majesty the King on the auspicious occasion of his 72nd birthday anniversary on 28 July 2024 by announcing the registration of the Geographic Indication (GI) "Kratonthong Baiyai Bang Chao Cha", a santol planted by His Majesty and granting santol varieties to the people of Ang Thong Province to create jobs, generate income for farmers, and improve the quality of life. Mr. Napintorn Srisanpang, Deputy Minister of Commerce, revealed that 'Kraton Thong Bai Yai Bang Chao Cha' is a santol that His Majesty King Rama X, when he was Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, had planted the 'Thong Bai Yai' santol tree at Wat Yang Thong on March 23, 2007. 'Kraton Thong Bai Yai Bang Chao Cha' has a round fruit shape, a slightly raised fruit stalk, a thin peel, and an uneven outer skin. The ripe fruit is golden yellow, with thick, soft, and juicy flesh. The seed fluff has a sweet taste and a sweet aroma. The planting area has expanded to Pho Thong District, Ang Thong Province, which is geographically an alluvial plain with Sing Buri soil series that is high in potassium and phosphorus. In addition, there is also the wisdom and knowledge of farmers who are skilled and experienced in the cultivation, along with the climate that is in the hot and humid zone, which is a tropical rainy season only, influenced by the southwest monsoon, causing cloudiness and heavy rain. As a result, the durian is sweet, juicy, delicious, and grows well, to the point of winning the No. 1 taste award in Ang Thong Province. A large-leafed durian festival was organized to promote the durian fruit to make it popular in the market, which can generate income for farmers in the community of over 6 million baht per year. The Ministry of Commerce still has a policy to drive the grassroots economy by using the registration of geographical indications or GI to protect local community products that have their own unique characteristics in each local production area, creating added value for the products, a s well as promoting the establishment of product quality control systems to build consumer confidence and continuously expand marketing channels, making GI products an important product that drives the Soft Power policy according to the government's policy. Currently, there are 206 GI registered products nationwide, worth more than 71 billion baht per year. For farmers or local communities in the provinces who are interested in bringing community products that have identity and are linked to geographical areas, they can consult to request GI registration at the Public Service Center, Department of Intellectual Property, or inquire for more information at the Department of Intellectual Property hotline at 1368. Source: Thai News Agency