Chiang Mai: Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006 清迈皇家花艺世博会

Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006 was one of the most grandeur celebration ever happen in Thailand, held from 1st November 2006 to 31st January 2007 in the city of Chiang Mai, to mark His Majesty King Bhumibol 60th Anniversary of Accession to the Throne in 2006 and His Majesty's 80th Birthday in 2007

My Recollections of my 2 visits on 1st November 2006 and 2nd January 2007.

Upon Arrival 

Greeting visitors at the main entrance stood the 1st sculpture of a symbolic metallic umbrella entitled “Under Prestige of Our Highness” by Saravudh Duangjumpa.

Five enormous ancient "Bottle Trees" from Australia, aged more than 300 years stood firmly across the main entrance.

My Family members from Miri, Malaysia at the Welcome Plaza, behind "The Longest Lettering Fountain" designed by Montri Kamchuu. 



The Elephant Gate Main Entrance (view from inside out) where visitors were warmly greeted with cultural performance that set a mood of delight.



Daily colourful cultural shows, graceful traditional and classical performances from Thailand and other various countries were listed on the Programme Chart

The Highlights of the exposition were:

1. GARDEN FOR THE KING comprises of:

Corporate Garden  

There are 22 corporate gardens by leading Thai organizations: 8 public organizations, 3 enterprises, 3 banks and 8 private companies paying homage to His Majesty the King.

Toyota Garden by Toyota Motors Thailand



Shin Garden by Shin Corporation

International Outdoor Garden 

Exhibitions of national blooms and horticulture as well as arts and architecture of about 30 countries from around the world.

Belgium's elegant Garden of Northern European Blooms was created by world-renowned floral artist Daniel Ost who created a garden that reflected novelty and creativity with a giant cone-shaped art piece - 10 meters long and 5 meters high slightly buried in the wave-shaped grass. (referring to the hilly countryside of Belgium) on an area of 659 sq meters with a checkerboard of stacked rock and grass as the background. 

The flowers inside the cone were red, orange and yellow Bromeliads which were arranged with black charcoal to form the colours of the Belgium flag. The black hole depicted the unknown future.

In the evening, the sunlight brought glows to the inside of the cone, turning the colours into a truly magnificent view, which left a special impression to the visitors.

The wave-shaped grass- the newest generation of hi-tech artificial grass (Belgium is the world's leading developers and producers) gave the same visual impression as traditional grass, but doesn't need watering or pesticides to grow. The type of grass used in the world-class soccer fields and now first time in Asia. 

This Netherland's Living Postcard Garden had 5,000 tulips with a  giant windmill rotating and creaking away in the background was designed by Niek Roozen, a landscape architect from Netherlands whose work can be seen across Europe and increasingly around Asia. 

Beautiful tulips under shade cloth to protect them from the harsh sun. Wish I could pluck some home...

Other International Outdoor Gardens:

 YES.. MALAYSIA!! our beloved country

2. ROYAL PAVILION ZONE comprises of:

The Ho Kham Royal Pavilion

The focal landmark of the exposition was a two- storey teak pavilion constructed in exquisite Lanna (northern Thai) architectural style, stood tall, afloat in seas of colourful flowers on an area of 3,000 sq.meters. It was designed by local architect, Rung Jantabuun and took more than 60 skillful carpenters to build. Inside the pavilion showcased paintings of King Bhumibol many activities aimed at the improvement of life for all Thai people.

Homage Garden

Located in front of the Royal Pavilion with The Bhodi Tree for the King surrounded by 4 canals and a enormous "Coin for the King" for all visitors to pay homage to the King.

Bhodi Tree for the King

A symbol on His Majesty's influential benevolence over the country. Constructed in clusters of lotus blossoms, 9 blossoms per cluster, in bundles of 9 clusters each (4 bundles of copper at the lowest level, 4 bundles of gold at the middle level and 1 bundle of silver at the top) attached with a total of 21,915  Bhodi leaves (the number of days of His Majesty's reign) made of brass. 

3. THAI TROPICAL GARDEN

The enormous 100,000 sq meter garden showcase the diversity of tropical horticulture: fruit varieties, plants, flowers, herbs, and rare plants divided into different zones: Shaded Paradise, Grower House, Thai Horti Sky Walk, BioTech Greenhouse, Desert Plant Greenhouse, Soiless Greenhouse, Temperature Greenhouse, Tropical Dome, Sunken Garden and Lotus Garden.

4. EXPO CENTER

An exhibition zone for delightful plant and flowers exhibits, technology and competitions divided into 2 parts comprising of International Indoor Garden and Revolving Indoor Exhibitions Hall 1 -2.

Other sceneries around the Exposition:

 Tight Security

 Elephant Sculptures 

 New Theory Agriculture Garden

 Information Desk Station 

 CoOL Shade SaiLs 

 Royal Project Garden

 Royal Project Shop - Souvenirs, Gifts and Handmade products 

Wonder What's inside?

The Royal Floral Ratchaphruek was the most extravagant exposition i had ever been, thanks to my brother. Will certainly be back for The Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2011 as it promised to be more Grand and more spectacular that should not be missed.