What the Thai GI mark on food guarantees, how many there are, examples
A Thai GI is a name tied to a place; the gold GI mark means a producer passed local controls. Why counts say both 239 and 252, and GI foods by province.
- A GI is a product name tied to its place of origin, protected by Thailand's Geographical Indication Protection Act of 2003. Using it to mislead about origin is an offence.
- The gold Thai GI mark may be used only by producers in the area who follow the manual and pass inspection. Each licence lasts 2 years.
- 239 is the count at the end of fiscal year 2025; 252 is the figure the Public Relations Department reported in early 2026. They count at different times.
- A GI guarantees origin and specified character. It does not replace the Thai FDA number or food-safety standards.
A GI (Geographical Indication) is a product name tied to a place, because the product’s quality or reputation comes from that area: its soil, water, climate and local know-how. The gold Thai GI mark on a package says that the producer was licensed after passing a quality-control system. This article explains what the mark does and does not promise, why the number of Thai GI products differs between news reports, and gives food examples from many provinces.
What a GI is under Thai law
Thailand protects GIs under the Geographical Indication Protection Act B.E. 2546 (2003). The Department of Intellectual Property (DIP), Ministry of Commerce, sums up its principles in three points:
- Prevent confusion or deception about where a product comes from.
- Provide for registration of geographical indications.
- Forbid using a GI name in a way that misleads people about the product’s real origin.
Three kinds of products can be registered: agricultural products, handicrafts, and industrial goods including processed farm products. According to DIP, they must meet five conditions:
- A link between the product and its area, such as terrain, climate or local culture.
- A clearly defined production area, using main raw materials from inside it.
- A quality or character that sets it apart from the same kind of product made elsewhere.
- Defined quality and a clear control and inspection process.
- A reputation that consumers recognise.
GI name, GI mark and trademark are different things
On one GI product you may see three things side by side, each saying something different:
| What you see | What it tells you | Who grants it |
|---|---|---|
| The GI name, e.g. “Khanom Mo Kaeng Mueang Phet” | A registered name tied to an area and a product description | Registered with DIP |
| The Thai GI mark | This producer passed the control system and is licensed to use the mark | Issued by DIP to the producer |
| The trademark | The individual producer’s brand | The brand owner |
The Thai GI mark carries the Thai words สิ่งบ่งชี้ทางภูมิศาสตร์ไทย, the English words “THAI GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION” and the letters GI, set on a gold pattern shaped like a stacked offering of rice (phum khao bin). It may be used only on registered products. Some products also carry a QR code that shows production-source information.
Who may use the mark, and how it is checked
The right to use the mark belongs to producers inside the product’s area, or traders in that product, who have an operating manual and a control plan and actually follow them. DIP’s own material sets out seven steps:
- Set up a working group at area or province level.
- Write an operating manual for members and an inspection plan.
- Register member producers and traders.
- The working group inspects production on site according to the plan.
- The provincial working group certifies the results and sends them to the provincial commerce office.
- DIP issues a licence to use the mark.
- The licence letter goes to the member and is valid for 2 years, after which it must be re-assessed.
Inspectors may be a provincial committee or an outside certification body accredited to ISO 17065. A sample plan in DIP’s material checks farm plot locations whenever they change and at least once a year, with the certification body checking 10% of farmers each year. For unlawful use of a GI name, DIP’s material lists a fine of 200,000 baht.
The GI mark guarantees origin and the registered character. It is not a Thai FDA number: for processed food, still check the FDA number and the expiry date.
Worked example: why both 239 and 252
The reports differ because they count on different dates. Follow the numbers step by step:
- End of fiscal year 2024: 212 Thai GI products.
- Fiscal year 2025 (October 2024 to September 2025): 27 more registered, so 212 + 27 = 239. This is the figure DIP uses in its 2025 results.
- The Public Relations Department reported on 1 March 2026 a total of 252, so 252 − 239 = 13 more were added in the months after the fiscal year closed.
- Share with a quality-control system: 203 of 239 = 84.9% in 2025; 210 of 252 = 83.3% in early 2026. Control systems lag behind new registrations.
- Licensed users of the mark: from more than 16,000 to more than 17,000.
| Point in time | Thai GI products | With quality control | Licensed users |
|---|---|---|---|
| End of FY2024 | 212 | Not stated | Not stated |
| End of FY2025 | 239 | 203 (85%) | 16,000+ |
| March 2026 | 252 | 210 (83%) | 17,000+ |
The Public Relations Department also reported a 2026 target of 26 more products from 23 provinces, so the count will keep moving. For the latest figure, check the DIP website directly.
GI foods by province
Examples from DIP’s material and reports (product names, not shops):
| Region | GI product | Province |
|---|---|---|
| North | Doi Chaang coffee, Doi Tung coffee, Chiang Rai tea, Phulae pineapple | Chiang Rai |
| North | Mae Chai lychee | Phayao |
| North | Nan Si Thong orange | Nan |
| Central | Phetchabun sweet tamarind | Phetchabun |
| Central | Sakae Krang giant gourami | Uthai Thani |
| Central | Phetchaburi khanom mo kaeng, Phetchaburi palm sugar | Phetchaburi |
| Northeast | Thung Kula Rong Hai hom mali rice | 5 northeastern provinces |
| Northeast | Phon Yang Kham fattened beef | Sakon Nakhon |
| East | Khao Banthat Monthong durian | Trat |
| South | Chaiya salted egg, Surat Thani oyster, Ko Pha-ngan coconut | Surat Thani |
| South | Sangyod rice of Phatthalung | Phatthalung |
| South | Chumphon lady finger banana | Chumphon |
| South | Sadet Nam Ya durian | Yala |
Fruit is a big group: the GI fruit list Thai PBS compiled from DIP runs to more than a hundred entries, with durian the largest. If you buy GI fruit, check the season too; see Thai fruit seasons. For Phetchaburi’s GI sweets, see Phetchaburi, city of three tastes.
In fiscal year 2025, the three best-selling GI products by value were all durians: Khao Banthat Monthong (Trat), Sadet Nam Ya (Yala) and Rayong Monthong.
Common mistakes
- Taking a province name on a box as a GI. A town name may just be a brand. Look for the gold Thai GI mark and the registered name.
- Treating GI as a food-safety standard. GI covers origin and character; for safety, check the Thai FDA number and expiry date.
- Quoting an old GI count. The number moves every year. In 2019 DIP’s register held 127 products (111 Thai, 16 foreign); Thai products alone are now over 200.
- Assuming the mark lasts forever. The licence runs for 2 years, and producers must be re-assessed.
When buying GI food, check two things together: the registered name and the gold Thai GI mark. If there is a QR code, scan it to see where the product came from.
Summary
A GI is a product name tied to its place of origin, protected by a 2003 law. The gold Thai GI mark means that producer passed the control system and holds a 2-year licence. Both 239 and 252 are correct counts, taken at different times, and a GI guarantees origin, not food safety in place of the FDA number. This is the last article in the series on Thai food stories and science.
Sources
FAQ
If a box carries a province's name, is it a GI product?
No. A town name on a box may just be a shop or brand name. A GI product carries a registered name, and products that pass the control system may carry the gold Thai GI mark. Look at the mark and the registered name together.
Are GI products safer than ordinary ones?
A GI guarantees that the product comes from the area and matches the registered description. For processed food, you still check the Thai FDA number and the expiry date as usual.
Why do GI products cost more?
The Department of Intellectual Property says GI products are worth roughly 2 to 5 times more than comparable ordinary products, because they come only from one area and go through inspection. Actual prices depend on the product and the season.
Ingredients and heat vary by kitchen and recipe. If you have a food allergy, ask before you order, every time.