Located on the southern coast of Thailand, Surat Thani's soil and climate is ideal for agriculture. Farming and fishing are two major occupations of the province where fruit trees, rubber plants, coconuts, rice as well as several other field crops are grown. These occupations attract enormous amounts of income to Surat Thaini. Rambutan or Ngo in thai, especially the so-called Ngo Rong Rian, is the most important and an economic crop of Surat Thani. Thanks to its prominent characteristics; namely, the large size, the beautiful shape and color, and the sweets, crunchy and easily-stoned flesh, the Ngo Rong Rian can sell at a higher price than other kinds of rambutan. Grown within a total area of approximately 60,000 rai, Ngo Rong Rian is a major earner of the provincial income worth not less than Bt 1,000 million each year. In order to reiterate the importance of the rambutan, the Surat Thani Provincial Administration has, therefore, organised the "Surat Thani Rambutan Fair" annually crop contests which begin in 1979. The fair has continued to be held as an annual event of the province. Previously, the event has been held the province's annual crop contests which first took place in 1969 having realised that Ngo Rong Rian has attracted enormous income as well as a reputation for Surat Thani, the organising committee of the contests, in 1979, changed the event into the "Surat Thani Rambutan Fair" in order to make Ngo Rong Rian more widely known to the public.

The origin of "Ngo Rong Rian"
Rong Rian, a Thai word for school , is the name of the most renowned rambutan of Surat Thani Province. Back in 1926, Mr. K. Wong, a Malaysian-Chinese, moved from Penang in Malaysia to operate a tin mine at Ban Muang Kae, Tambon Na San, Amphoe Ban Na San. He brought with him some rambutan seeds, which were first grown in Tambon Na San not too far to the north of his house.
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