Chiang Mai: Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2011 清迈皇家花艺世博会

The Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2011 is an International Horticultural Exposition certified by the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) to be  held for the second time in Thailand at The Royal Park Ratchaphruek, Mae Hia District, Chiang Mai from 14th December 2011 to 14th March 2012.

With the theme "Reducing Global Warming to Protect the World", the 80 hectares area of the Royal Park Ratchaphruek was transformed into colorful gardens with the concept of 3Gs (Generation, Garden, Green-attitude) and 3Rs (Reuse, Reduce, Recycle).

Hosted by the Royal Thai Government to mark and celebrate:

1. HM King Bhumibol 84th birthday in 2011.
2. Queen Sirikit's 80th birthday in 2012.
3. Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn's 60th birthday in 2012.

My recollection of my visit on 10 February 2012, to see the changes of its second edition of the Royal Flora. The 3 Main Highlights are:

1.THE GIANT FLORA WHEEL 

The Giant Flora Wheel offered the best breathtaking panoramic and the most vivid view of the whole Royal Flora Park. Standing at an impressive 42 meters high - on par with being on the 14th floor of a skyscraper. 
It has 27 open gondolas; each is capable of holding 4-6 passengers or a total of 450 kilograms. A complete rotation of the wheel takes 6 minutes and cost 120 baht per person.

2. KIDS' ECO PARK

A park with exhibitions and edutainment activities on the environmental themes of global warming and energy conservation towards a more nature loving young generations.

3. IMAGINATION LIGHT GARDEN 

The Imagination Light Garden is about 6,300 sq meters area designed with about 2 millions light bulb (including LED light strings) that lighten after the sunset.  



 Imagination Light Garden by day

 Imagination Light Garden by night

Imagination Light Garden is divided into 5 parts:

Bloom Field - lotus lights welcoming visitors at the entrance

Star Marine - a flock of butterflies pluming to the rhythm of music.

Black Light Field - hundred of fluorescent painted flower which glow at night.

Anodard Lake - a peaceful lake with fishes jumping to the music.

Twilight Field - two line of local rattan flower lamps before the exit. There are groups of ‘Solar Cell Flower’ which store energy from the sunlight at day time and lighten themselves at night; designed to promote the sustainable energy "Solar Cell".

Other features are similar to the 1st edition of Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006. The 2nd edition which emphasize on environment protection made a new come back for the existing participants and exciting new entries for the corporate and international gardens.

CORPORATE GARDENS 

There are 23 gardens displayed by Thai Government organisations and private sectors with their own creative expositions. (*= new participant)  

*The Department of Groundwater Resources where visitors can experience the underground world and dabble in the water tunnel in the form of activities known as 'Water Rally'


*Dasada's Garden under the theme 'Let Love Grow' has a pOp up verticaL garden displayed over 1 rai (1600 sqm) of land.

Garden of Joy and Smiles to commemorate the auspicious celebrations by *Muang Thai Assurance Company Limited.

*Bangkok Airways 'Greenitude' concept garden is to combine nature and Thai culture to present Bangkok Airways as 'Environmental Friendly' 

TOT Public Co. Ltd's theme 'Green Garden' features natural energy such as solar energy from the sun, cycling energy for charging mobile phone batteries as well as exhibition of of artifacts from water residue.

The Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group's "Environmentally-Friendly and on the Ground Energy Agriculture that Enhances Life" themed garden won the prize for the Corporate Garden category.

INTERNATIONAL OUTDOOR GARDENS

There are 30 countries participants - 23 existing (from 2006) and 5 new* entries.

The entrance to the garden of the Kingdom of Bhutan has a mysterious, enchanting feel; perhaps resembled that of the mystical Kingdom of Bhutan in the eastern Himalayas.  It's one of my favourite garden and probably one of the Most Beautiful international garden; picture perfect with the Giant Flora Wheel as the backdrop.

Bhutan is presenting its garden with the theme "Life in Harmony with Nature and Culture".  There is a garden courtyard, a friendship bridge, long life prayer flags (dedicated to the Thai King, Queen and Prince), a Bhutanese altar with the statue of Buddha and a pavilion displaying medicinal herbs and aromatic plants from Bhutan.

A traditional mansion in the cool and shady China Garden. The swaying bamboo plants and sweet osmanthus (桂花)  trees with its delicate fruity - floral apricot aroma created a romantic ambiance.

Imagination of Kenya with its typical Kenyan huts, Traveller's Palm trees and Baobab trees in Kenya Garden. (Baobab tree is a rare ancient tree with roots above the ground.) There are unique crafts and souvenirs from Kenya for sale inside the main hut.

The Netherlands' dairy producer Foremost brand together with The RoYaL embassy of Netherlands present their garden under the concept "Foremost Dutch Dairy Farm".

The Garden of India has a sacred Ganesh statue - the elephant headed god of success for visitors to pay respects. There is also a Bodhi tree originated from India.

Enjoy a tropical atmosphere in the Indonesia Garden constructed in exquisite Javanese and Balinese architectural designs. There are events and exhibitions of Indonesian products and handicrafts during the whole duration of the exposition. 

Belgium's ''Garden of Northern European Blooms"; the giant cone- shaped art piece remained just the same as it was in 2006.

Our Malaysian Garden also still pretty much remain the same with pameran bunga-bungaan dari Malaysia set in a Kampung style environment.

Vietnam Garden featured a Vietnamese house surrounded by bonsai plants and the carambola tree (from the house of Ho Chi Minh)  in a rock garden style. Same same as it was way back in 2006.

*The Horticultural Science Society of Thailand Garden showcased a variety of outdoor plants, shade house, gardeners' home and cool climate plants.

*South Korea Garden has a variety of plants from South Korea in natural landscapes. 

*Canada Garden has a replica of Niagare Falls, wooden Totem poles and Inukshuk stone scupture and a Maple tree- the National tree of Canada.

*Russian Garden with Love Fishes all around its beautiful garden.

South Africa took the prize for the International Outdoor Garden category. Visitors admired the African native, endemic and desert plants especially the Zebra grass and Tree Aloe - a species of aloe native to South Africa.

THE ROYAL PAVILION ZONE

Comprises of the Royal Pavilion, Homage Garden and Bodhi Tree for the King as in 2006. 

The Ho Kham Royal Pavilion remained the centrepiece and symbol of The Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2011.

View of the Ho Kham Royal Pavilion from the Homage Garden

Homage Garden beside the Imagination Light Garden

Bodhi Tree for the King

EXPO CENTER

National and International exhibitions and competitions related to its theme "Reducing Global Warming to Protect the World" were held in the ExpO Halls pertaining to innovative technology of horticulture and also to promote economic corporation, culture and tourism among the participating countries.

Varieties of Mushroom Cultivations

Cherry Tomatoes and various vegetables

OTHER ATTRACTIONS OF INTEREST:

Snake gourd - how does it taste like?

Walk through dangling Winter Melon Tunnel

Or Walking Through SplaShes of Water Jets - the favourite spot on a hot sunny day!

Temperate Greenhouse houses a collection of cool climate plants that reduce global warming and omanentral flowers at a temperature of 18-20 degree celsius.

Bug World offered a chance to peek at the life cycle of fascinating insects and bugs in their everyday habitat as well as fossils and specimens studies.

  

 OTHER CUTE SHOTS: 

More than 2.2 million people visited the Royal Flora 2011 since its opening on December 14, 2011 bringing more than 10 billion Baht in revenues.

After the 3 months exposition, The Royal Flora Ratchaphruek Park will remain open daily (8am-6pm) to the public as a tourist attraction and a learning centre for Thailand's horticulture. It will make a very pleasant half day visit or you can take a package tour of the Park + Night Safari with any tour agent in the city.