Horticulture fest opens in Chiang Mai
Three-month exposition devoted to the environment and His Majesty
After being delayed for weeks due to the flood crisis, the Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2011 officially opened its doors yesterday, with beautiful gardens, magnificent shows, intriguing horticultural displays of over 2,500 species as well as contests and symposiums.Although the opening ceremony, to be presided over by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindorn, has been postponed to January 15, Agriculture Minister Theera Wongsamut, who led the flag-raising function yesterday, said the 92-day horticultural expo, which runs until March 14, would certainly attract 2 million visitors as targeted. He added that up to 40,000 visitors were expected daily.
Tourism Minister Chumpol Silapa-archa said the 2 million visitors targeted were expected to spend at least Bt5,000 per person, so the expo should generate earnings of about Bt10 billion. Chumpol added that, despite the flood crisis, Thailand should have about 18.5 million tourists at the end of this month, generating Bt700 billion - a rise from last year's Bt600 billion during the same period.
Yesterday, many groups of tourists and students were seen enjoying the gardens, shows and exhibitions highlighting the expo's theme of "Greenitude: Reducing Global Warming to Save Planet Earth and Improving the Quality of Life".
Other than the impressive "Giant Flora Wheel", which provides a lofty view of the 470-rai display from a height of 42 metres, the promoters have included two new additions to boost an interest in protecting the environment. The Kids' Eco Park offers exciting, yet educational activities to inspire the next generation to care for their environment and understand the global-warming issue, while the "Imagination Light Garden" bursts into colour from 6.30pm, displaying illuminated butterflies moving in time to music. All the lighting is powered by solar cells.
Siriwan Kritnampok, who was there with her four-year-old daughter, said that though the view from above was impressive, she hoped rides on the Giant Flora Wheel lasted longer in order to justify the Bt120-per-head ticket. The giant wheel only turns three times.
Tanupat Namongkol and Pumipat Hengsiri, ninth-graders from Nakhon Si Thammarat's Benjamarachutit School, said they liked the interactive Bug World the best because they got to learn about rare insects, how they can be protected and how they are important to the environment.
Just like Royal Flora 2006, this year's expo also showcases gardens done up by 30 countries including new entries from Pakistan, South Korea, Nepal, Yemen, Canada and Malaysia's economy airline AirAsia, which had an aircraft on a globe as its centrepiece. Also on offer were displays from 39 leading national organisations, most of which emphasised the environment protection theme.
Toyota Motor Thailand presented a six-minute 3D movie entitled "The Replacement Book" as well as interactive games in order to promote awareness about global warming and the need to conform with His Majesty's philosophy of sustainable development. Toyota is also using the event to introduce its 4R-4I concept: Reduce CO2, Reduce Energy, Reduce Water, Reduce Waste, Improve Green/Happy Workplace, Improve Employees/Stakeholders' Satisfaction, Improve Employees' Participation in Social Contribution, Improve CSR Network.
Just like the Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006 was organised to commemorate the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King's accession to the throne, this year's expo marks the King's 84th birthday this month, Her Majesty the Queen's 80th birthday next August, and HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn's 60th birthday in July. An exhibition of His Majesty's work entitled "84 Years under the Great King's Prestige" is being held at the Hor Kham Royal Pavilion, while another display shows the initiatives and projects of Their Majesties and HRH the Crown Prince related to agriculture.
Visit www.RoyalFlora2011.com for more information.
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