Betong Stream Nile Tilapia Elevated to Geographical Indication Premium Product in Yala Province

The Department of Intellectual Property has registered 'Betong Stream Nile Tilapia' as a Geographical Indication (GI) product for Yala Province, emphasizing its distinctive quality with dense meat, sweet taste, and lack of muddy odor. The fish is raised in pure natural water from the Sankalakhiri mountain range, flowing 24 hours a day, using local wisdom and selective breeding of male tilapia to control quality and produce a premium product. The production area features a rich ecosystem influenced by southwest and northeast monsoons, with cool temperatures averaging 27.5-28.5 degrees Celsius, frequent fog and rain, and high-oxygen stream water. Farmers use local techniques to channel water from streams into fish ponds, resulting in dense, firm fish with minimal fat and a natural sweet taste. The tilapia is clean, has less fishy odor, and can even be served as sashimi. The annual production is 163,000 kilograms, with an average selling price of 120 baht per kilogram, generating over 19 million baht in economic value for the province.