Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006

[Richard Barrow]

Chiang Mai ready to welcome all to Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006

CHIANG MAI, Sept 1 (TNA) - Three million visitors from all over Thailand and all around the world are expected to descend upon this beautiful northern capital for Thailand's floral celebration of their beloved monarch.

A special mass transit system for the influx of travellers who will attend the International Horticultural Exposition for His Majesty the King--the Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006--is ready to go when the expo
opens Nov 1, 2006.

Due to the large numbers of visitors expected at the exposition, travellers are advised to making hotel bookings in advance to ensure their accommodations while enjoying the spectacular exhibition.

Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006 opens November 1, and will draw visitors from around the world to Chiang Mai through end of January 2007.

Department of Agriculture director general Adisak Sreesunpagit said the organisers had provided a "Ratchaphruek Tram" to serve visitors who wish to explore the 80 hectare site to observe the Royal Flora Expo's amazing variety or floral, botanical, horticulture and horticulture-related techniques, supplies and trade items that would be shown, displayed and demonstrated at the exhibition.

Mr. Adisak said the spectacular exhibitions, national and corporate gardens sponsored by some 30 countries and a number of businesses, floral competitions, as well as many other activities, will keep visitors entertained throughout the three-month floral extravaganza.

Destined to be a wondrous spectacle during its entire 92-day duration, he said, Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006 is expected to draw an audience of over 3 million visitors from around the world.

The Royal Flora Ratchaphruek is held to mark the most auspicious occasions of the 60th anniversary Diamond Jubilee celebrations of His Majesty the King 's Accession to the Throne in 2006 and the 80th Birthday Anniversary of His Majesty in December 2007.

Thirty-two countries--Belgium, Bhutan, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, China, Gabon, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kenya, Laos, Malaysia, Mauritania, Morocco, Nepal, the Netherlands, Nigeria,
Pakistan, Qatar, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sudan, Tunisia, Turkey, Trinidad & Tobago, Vietnam and Yemen--are participating in the grand exposition.

The Chiang Mai Tourism Business Association and Chiang Mai University have jointly created a website carrying a listing of Chiang Mai accommodations for the visitors.

Over 25,000 rooms are available for booking through the two websites. To book lodgings, visitors can go to www.cnxtourism.com or www.royalfloraexpo.com.

Mr. Adisak said he recommended visitors to book hotels in advance to ensure their accommodations. (TNA)-E003

[Betti]

the Night Safari and the Horticultural expo are widely blamed by local people and press alike for diverting the runoff from Doi Suthep - Doi Pui into a residential neighbourhood nearby. I have colleagues whose streets are flooded after every major rain, several times this August, in areas where floods had never been a problem. I am looking forward to this expo, but at the same time it's disappointing that such projects are managed without due care and attention to details.

[Richard Barrow]

Betti, I saw on television that they had built temple like structures and other buildings. I also saw large bottle trees from Australia. I was wondering what they were planning on doing after the event had finished. Will everything be dismantled? Have you heard anything?

I would like to go too (though not to the Night Safari).

[Betti]

http://www.royalfloraexpo.com/ticket/index.asp

some interesting info here, tickets are half price if picked up in advance - for both Thais and non-Thais, it seems.

according to info found at The Nation online, the area will be converted into a public park after the expo is over. so, probably some buildings remain too.

[e0p]

I'm definitely going to be up there for the expo. Looks great on their website.

[Anatta]

ROYAL FLORA RATCHAPHRUEK 2006
International Horticultural Exposition for His Majesty the King
1 November 2006 - 31 January 2007
Chiangmai , Thailand

“Royal Flora Ratchaphruek” is one of the grand celebrations being hosted by the Royal Thai Government in honor of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), the ninth ruler of the illustrious Chakri Dynasty and the world’s longest reigning monarch. His Majesty is ‘Father of the Nation’ and ‘Beloved King’ to the Thai people.

A one-of-a-kind event, Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006 is being organized to present to the world the marvels of plants and breeds of over 2,200 species of tropical plants and flowers. 2,500,000 plants in total will be enriching the land and the minds of onlookers.

Presented under the theme of ‘To Express the Love for Humanity’, conceptual designs and layouts of the event have been conceived to function seamlessly with and to complement the remarkable geographical surroundings.

The foundation of the Kingdom of Thailand lies in the glory of Buddhism and the Monarch whose kindness towards His people is like the comforting shade of a big tree with a canopy that extends incessantly to provide sanctuary for His people.

Destined to be a wondrous spectacle, during the 92 days of the expo, Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006 is expected to draw an audience of over 2 million visitors from around the world.

Celebrations of this magnitude happen only once in decades. So mark your calendar and join us in Thailand for this historic event not to be missed. We warmly welcome you to Chiang Mai, Thailand.

see more informations at here:
http://www.royalfloraexpo.com/about_expo/intro.asp

[Betti]

I went to Royal Flora after school today, for the first time. it is open until 8 and many displays are indoors, so it's not the case of there is nothing to be seen after sunset. I've only seen about a fourth of the area, but.... my overall impression is that it is more of a theme park with some flowers and plants thrown in and geared towards the taste of middle-class package tour Thais from Bangkok. in fact, about 90% of the people, or maybe more, were Thais. there are incredibly nice things to see, but you need to keep an open eye or two, and filter through lots of junk, I'm afraid to say. the area is huge, but the gardens are really small (few hundred sq m at most, half of which is taken up by souvenir stalls in the international gardens for example), and even on a weekday evening like today lots of people crowded up for photo opportunities on very small space. the orchid displays were awsome (I'm an orchid fan), the temple is nice, and there are really beautiful, well-designed gardens, there are cultural shows and concerts, a good variety or activities, but.... I thought it would be more flowers, trees, parks, nature, and less infrastructure, less golf carts, less concrete, less walking around TO somewhere (as opposed to walking IN somewhere). oh yes, and when everyone is leaving, there is a straightforward way out, but people are forced into a narrow passageway with souvenir sellers (lots of orchids for sale too! great for collectors or enthusiasts), and then into the parking lot, which adds 500m to the way out, and then you have to walk a long way again if you are not on a tour bus or van but just a private car somewhere further out. on the whole, when it comes to plants, I would rather stick to Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden, nicer orchid farms, or the Phuping palace garden. but sure I will go back to check out everything, take pics (my mum will kill me if I don't send zillions of photos), and try to find those hidden small places here and there that are worth all the rest of the experience.

[thaibook]

Unfortunately couldn't attend it this year but hope to make it next year. Besides, Betti, did anyone else go this year? I read some feedback from people who went and were not impressed at all by the layout, selection, etc. I heard that some people were really disapointed this year? Anyone else have that feedback?

[Betti]

the show is open until the end of January, then the area will be converted into a park. so you only have two and a half more months. it's not so bad once you know what to expect. next time I won't be disappointed and will try to make the best of it.

has anyone else been there?

[thaibook]

Oh, it is open that long? Didnt even notice the duration of time it was going to be open. I might go see it during December on my next trip to Thailand - wouldn't hurt and haven't been to CM for a least two years...