Lime growers in central Thailand pick up guns to patrol for thieves

Lime growers in central Thailand aren’t playing around when it comes to protecting their produce.

Lime growers in Kamphaeng Phet province are picking up guns after thieves snatched their limes in broad daylight. The farmers have formed their own armed patrol unit to protect their lime gardens from theft after unprecedented price hikes.

Retail prices for lime in Bangkok and major provinces have reportedly risen to 12 baht per fruit. The high price of limes has forced many street vendors to halt selling lime juice. The fruit is a staple ingredient in Thai cooking, with its juice often used in dishes such as som tam and for flavouring fish sauce.

Residents of Moo 5 village in Tambon Nikhom Thung Pho Thalay, in Kamphaeng Phet’s main city district, have resorted to protecting their lime gardens with rifles, because thieves have…