Deputy Agriculture Minister Shuts Down Chanthaburi Durian Farm Over License Suspension Violation, Seizes 3 Containers Worth 10 Million Baht
A Chanthaburi durian farm operating under a suspended license was shut down and three containers of fresh durian worth 10 million baht were seized by Thai agriculture officials on May 21. The facility had continued production and export ill
On May 21, Deputy Agriculture Minister Piyarat Tiyapairat instructed the National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards (ACFS) to pursue strict legal action against a durian farm that continued producing and exporting durian while operating under a suspended license. ACFS officials seized three containers of fresh durian worth over 10 million baht from Khao Wua subdistrict in Tha Mai district, Chanthaburi, after discovering the facility was being used without proper authorization.
ACFS had received reports of illegal durian production at the farm without a license. Upon investigation, officials found that a major durian producer in the area, which had its producer and exporter license suspended since May 6, was still operating. The facility contained over 35,000 empty packaging boxes and approximately 50,000 kilograms of packaged durian. Company employees claimed the products belonged to another firm sharing the facility, but inspectors found that firm also lacked authorization to produce durian at the location. Officials therefore sealed both the original farm and the shared-use facility, and seized the three containers of fresh durian valued at over 10 million baht for legal proceedings.
The ACFS Secretary-General noted that producing agricultural products while under a suspended license violates the Agricultural Commodity Standard Act B.E. 2551, which carries penalties including fines, license suspension, and revocation. Packaging fresh durian according to mandatory standard ACFS 9070-2566 outside authorized areas also constitutes a legal violation.
Deputy Minister Piyarat emphasized that producers must strictly comply with the ACFS 9070 standard for fresh durian. She stated the Agriculture Ministry will enforce laws strictly, transparently, and fairly with zero tolerance for manipulation or interference to aid law violators, in order to protect legitimate producers, consumers, and maintain confidence in Thai agricultural products both domestically and internationally.
