Li, a member of the family, explained that his father had purchased 5.5 kg of pre-peeled durian in Chiang Mai as a gift. They only discovered the fruit was prohibited on the plane due to its strong smell during check-in. Rather than throw it away, the family decided to consume the entire amount at the airport.

The video depicts the father eating rapidly, even choking at one point, while other family members struggled to finish their share of the 5.5 kg of durian.

Li said each person ate 4-5 segments and joked they "never want to see durian again." Even on the plane, the lingering smell prompted repeated apologies to fellow passengers.

Li's family of 5 eating 5.5 kg of durian at Chiang Mai Airport, Thailand, on September 16th. Photo: *Douyin*

This isn't the first durian-related incident in a public space. In 2017, a female traveler at a train station in Chengdu, Sichuan (China), ate two whole durians, resulting in a nosebleed. In a similar situation in March 2016, a woman consumed 5 kg of durian at a train station in Anhui, China, after being prevented from bringing it on board.

Durian, dubbed the "king of fruit" in tropical countries, is known for its pungent aroma. This distinct smell has led to its ban on public transportation in many countries to avoid disturbing others. In 2013, the smell of durian even caused an evacuation of a building in Sydney, Australia, after being mistaken for a gas leak.

Minh Phuong (*Chinatimes*, *163.com*)