Thailand is situated in the tropical zone and has abundant forests, streams and good soil. So, it is rich in plant and flower species, some of which like Mok Rachini or Wrightia Sirikitae Mid.& Santisuk and Mahaphrom Rachini or Mitrephora Sirikitae Weerasuriya, Chalermglin & R.M.K. Saunders, can be found only here.
Thai varieties of orchids are known worldwide to be exotic and rare; to name just a few, Phalaenopsis gibosa and Schoenochris fragram. As a country qualified in this field, Thailand will hold a grand international horticultural exposition late in 2006.
International Garden
According to Khun Ying Sudarat Keyuraphan, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Thailand's tropical horticultural products such as fruit plants and flower plants, particularly orchids, are deemed to be of the highest quality in the world. These products contribute to over 800 billion baht in export revenue per year. This horticultural exposition will realize Thailand's vision of becoming not only the Kitchen of the World but also a Tropical Horticultural Center.
Thai Garden
To mark and celebrate HM King Bhumibol's Diamond Jubilee of His Accession to the Throne in 2006 and His Majesty's 80th Birthday anniversary in 2007, the Thai government will hold the International Horticultural Exposition or the "Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006", in Chiang Mai from 1 November 2006 to 31 January 2007. The exhibition will be divided into 14 weeks with different themes of competitions and display.
Mae Fa Luang Garden
Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006 will be the first and largest international horticultural exposition with A1 status to be held in Thailand. Events of this significance happen only once in decades.
According to the Association of International Horticultural Producers (AIPH), there are four levels of horticultural exhibitions, which are A1, A2, B1 and B2. A1 stands for Large International Horticultural Exhibitions which must be held in accordance with the restrictions of the Bureau of International Exposition (BIE) as follows:
1) The length of the exhibition: 3-6 months.
2) The exhibition must showcase all aspects of the advancement of horticulture.
3) The exhibition area must cover at least 50 hectares.
4) At least 5% of the total area of the exhibition must be operated by other countries and at least 10 countries must be participating.
5) An exhibition of A1 level is allowed to be organized only once a year in the world and a host country can only hold such an exhibition once in a decade.
The Theme "To Express the Love for Humanity"
The conceptual designs and layouts of the event have been carried out in accordance with the central theme "To Express the Love for Humanity". Inspired by the eternal love of nature for mankind, the theme is to reflect the unconditioned love and care of HM the King for his subjects.
The Picture Perfect Setting of the Expo
The exhibition site covering 75.2 hectares of land area is located at the Royal Agricultural Research Center in Mae Hia district in the provincial town of Chiang Mai in the north of Thailand.
It is only 8 km from the airport and has a parking lot accommodating up to 10,000 vehicles. Nestling amidst the evergreen mountains with cool climate, the site serves well as the setting for the Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006.
Waterfront Plaza - The Expo Zones
In such a vast area of beautiful landscape, the expo will feature over 2,200 species of tropical plants and flowers or a total of 2,500,000 plants in these following zones.
1.Gardens for the King
This outdoor exhibition area consisting of international gardens and corporate gardens emphasizes on Royal Initiated Agricultural Projects which reflect His Majesty's tremendous insight and ingenuity. Foreign and local organizers are invited to honour His Majesty the King by demonstrating their horticultural excellence. There will also be the first Night Garden of Asia which will add colours to the event.
2. World of Tropical Plants and Flowers
This exhibition will highlight Thailand's wide variety of plants and flowers. Created to be the largest and most comprehensive collection of tropical horticulture species, the exhibition will showcase the vast diversity of fruits, flowers, orchids and herbs.
3. Royal Plaza
The Royal Pavilion, the Grand Amphitheater and an indoor exhibition hall are clustered in this area. The exhibition hall will feature a series of specialised exhibitions and a variety of plant competitions. Visitors can enjoy shopping for plants and flowers, OTOP souvenirs and traditional handicrafts at a nearby open-air market place.
Participation Opportunities
The Government invites members of both the private and public sectors and other countries to join this exhibition. All interested parties will be able to participate in this grand event in different ways. So far, Austria, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Chile, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, the Philippines, Nigeria and the United Kingdom have all expressed their intention to participate in this historic event.
Greater Lanna
In addition to spending their time at the grand exposition, visitors will also be encouraged to pay a visit to Chiang Mai's neighbouring provinces that were once part of the glorious ancient Lanna Kingdom -- the Land of a Million Fields.
All provinces have a wide variety of tourist attractions, especially the many magnificent horticultural and botanical gardens and parks.
Among these, the well-known ones are Mae Fah Luang Garden on Doi Tung, Mae Fah Luang Arboretum on Doi Chang Mub mountain peak, the botanical gardens that are part of the Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park in Chiang Rai province and the Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden in Mae Sa.
Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden, Chiang Mai
A special Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006 tour will be on offer and will include visits to many of these sites.
Visitors
An average of 20,000 visitors per day, with over 100,000 visitors on a crowded day, and 2 million visitors in total are expected to attend the Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006.
Corporated Garden
After January 2007, the Government plans to convert the 75.2 hectares, Royal Garden and Royal Pavilion, into a public park. It will be a major tourist attraction for Chiang Mai. Furthermore, the Herbal garden, Thai garden and Agricultural Learning Centre will be transformed into an Agricultural Scientific Centre for youth.
For more information, please contact Project Management Office
tel:+66 0 2686 7299, fax: +66 0 2659 5920
www.royalfloraexpo.com. |
