The Doi Pui Research Institute in Chiang Mai has launched a project called "Plup Pheu Khun" (Persimmon For You) which involves paying 1,500 baht for a tree to be looked after for a year. When the fruit is ripe, the paying member can visit the institute to collect it, or ask for it to be delivered to their door, according to Wisit Kijsomporn, the head of Doi Pui Research Institute.
"Within one year of being a member, we will keep each owner posted with what is happening to the fruit trees he or she owns, via email. We will also invite each owner to come to the orchard when the trees need fertiliser, when each fruit needs to be wrapped, or when they are ripe," he said.
One tree can bear up to 10kg of fruit a year, and harvest time is around August.
"The sweet persimmon can cost around 200 baht a kilogramme. It is more expensive than general persimmons, which costs 50-80 baht a kilogramme," he said.
Doi Pui Research Institute is located in tambon Suthep, Muang district of Chiang Mai.