BANGKOK, May 18 -- Thai farmers are turning to superstar Lalisa "Lisa" Manobal to help sweeten the global image of the country's fruit industry.

The member of Blackpink and Buriram native was named by growers as their top pick to front a campaign promoting Thai fruits overseas, The Bangkok Post reported today.

The suggestion was made during Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's visit to Chanthaburi, where farmers pitched Lisa's star power as the key to cracking new markets.

They believe Lisa's international influence could raise Thailand's fruit exports to 500 billion baht a year, up from the current 200-300 billion.

Lisa, who made history as the first Thai K-pop idol to go global, is known for breaking records with her solo music a...