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Single Thai durian auctioned off at a staggering $47,786
A wealthy businessman paid a whopping 1.5 million baht (US$47,786) for a single Kanyao durian at an auction at the King Of Durian 2019 festival in Nonthaburi, central Thailand, on Saturday.
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Besides the Kaoyan variety, there was also the Monthong, Kanyao, and Kop Med Tao species, each fetching more than 300,000 baht each. (Shutterstock/gowithstock)
How much would you pay to eat the King of Fruits?
A wealthy businessman paid a whopping 1.5 million baht (US$47,786) for a single Kanyao durian at an auction at the King Of Durian 2019 festival in Nonthaburi, central Thailand, on Saturday (June 1).
Rare Kanyao Durian Sells for 1.5 Million THB - https://t.co/wn4lfsrkZt pic.twitter.com/xPoNEm9kjo
— Royal Coast Review - Thailand (@RoyalCoast_HH) June 6, 2019
A news organisation reported that the Kanyao durian, which is the most expensive durian variety in the world, smashed last year's record of 800,000 baht.
The glamorous event attracted bids from dozens of wealthy fruit lovers and sold handpicked durians from a nearby farm.
Nine fruits were chosen for its perfect size, shape, and ripeness.
Besides the Kaoyan variety, there was also the Monthong, Kanyao, and Kop Med Tao species, each fetching more than 300,000 baht each.
Farmer Maliwan Han Chai Thai, who grew the record-breaking durian, did not expect the price to go over 1 million baht.
Read also: Smell of durian prompts evacuation of Australian university
''I knew this was a very special durian but I was amazed at how much it sold for. I was expecting 1mil baht so for it to sell more is very good."
''I hope the high bidder enjoys eating the durian. This variety is the tastiest in the world and we will keep growing them," he told Newsflare.
The auction raised 4.5mil baht, which will be given to the farms and donated to local charities for buying medical equipment for hospitals.
Kanyao durian is specific to the Nonthaburi region north of Bangkok and is considered to be the best in the world thanks to its sweet taste and creamy texture.
This article appeared on The Star newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post
