Don’t squeeze the mango.
Prices are up, but people still can’t live without their sweet mango on
sticky rice covered in coconut milk dessert.
Vittaya Yoondorn
Getting their mango-and-sticky rice fix is getting more
expensive for Pattaya residents, with prices climbing above 100 baht per
kilogram for the out-of-season fruit.
Various street markets on May 14 were selling “namdokmai” and other
popular varieties of mangoes from 40-100 baht per kilogram. With the
growing season over, farmers have to use special soils, fertilizers and
chemicals to meet demand, but quantities haven’t kept up, causing higher
retail prices.
Sticker shock is taking its toll, with many of the mangoes going bad,
despite their scarcity. Hoping to not lose everything, dealers are
whipping up more plates of sweet mango on sticky rice covered in coconut
milk, a passion among Thais and favorite with many tourists.
Apaporn Munsri, 27, said she isn’t happy with the higher prices, but is
still buying mangoes because she can’t go without her sweet dessert.
While the prices have had less impact on tourists on holiday budgets,
Thais are cutting back. Vendors report many are buying smaller
quantities.
