Impressed locals are marvelling at a Thai farmer's giant limes which grow as big as pomelos in his garden.

Amazed neighbours visit 73-year-old Sangad Charnnarong's orchard in Phayao province to have a bite of the juicy citrus fruits.

Due to the sheer size and weight of the limes, Sangad has had to support the trees' branches with crutches to keep them from snapping off.

The farmer said he has been cultivating the giant limes for a decade, harvesting the fruits and handing them out to relatives and friends as gifts.

He said: 'I had bought a lime tree from Bangkok and planted it in my garden without knowing its variety.

'I thought it was a pomelo at first, but learned it was a lime after having a taste.'

Pomelos, a close relative of the grapefruit, have a milder sweet flavour, while limes are more tart.

Sangad added that he often uses the lime juice for cooking, and sometimes snacks on the fleshy pulp which he sprinkles with salt.