Anyone interested can join the bidding via the province’s public relations office’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/prdsongkhram/) or phone 081-4343922 and 089-2569156 until 4.30pm on May 24, said provincial governor Khanchat Tansathien on Friday.

The auction will feature nine premium-quality Monthong durians donated to the province by Ban Pramote village headman Ekkachai Thienchai in Bang Khonthee district.

Ekkachai owns a durian plantation on soil nurtured by fresh water, seawater and brackish water, which yielded the extra-tasty produce – ready for harvest late this month, the governor said.

So far his first batch of 200 durians were booked at Bt1,000 per durian, on which Ekkachai also imposed a limit of up to two durian per customer, he said.

Each of the durians put up for auction weighed about 5-6 kilograms and starting price was set at Bt1,500. The first top nine bidders would receive the fresh durian on May 25.

So far Bang Khonthee district chief, Samut Songkram provincial secretary, Samut Songkhram chamber of commerce chairman and Samt Songkram industrial council chairman are among the top seven bidders, each offering Bt5,000.

The durian auction and another scheme to seek cash donations from the public and private sectors were held in addition to the province’s initial aid that had already granted food ingredients for the schools with underprivileged pupils.