Royal Flora Ratchapruek 2008 held to Commemorate His Majesty King Bhumibol’s 81st Birthday Anniversary

The Royal Flora Ratchapruek 2008 to commemorate His Majesty King Bhumibol’s 81st Birthday Anniversary is currently being held until 10 December, 2008, at the Chalermprakiat Ratchapruek Park 2006 in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

The Ministry of Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, together with the Chiang Mai Provincial Administration, have joined forces in hosting the event with highlights including the official opening of the Chalermprakiat Ratchapruek Park and the grand celebrations for His Majesty the King’s birthday on 5 December.

Following the overwhelming success of the 92-day internationally-acclaimed International Horticulture Exposition for His Majesty the King, the Royal Flora Ratchapruek 2006 at the Royal Agricultural Research Centre in Mae Hia sub-district, Mueang district, Chiang Mai, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives was granted the green light from the cabinet to have the research centre developed into a cultural, recreational and agro-tourism attraction. The centre has been renamed the Chalermprakiat Ratchapruek Park.

One of the activities during the 10-day festival will be the celebration procession for the Chalermprakiat Buddha images to be permanently enshrined in the park. The Buddha images were made from an enormous amount of bhodi tree leaves that the Thai people presented to His Majesty the King in full reverence during their visits to the Royal Flora Ratchapruek 2006.

The floral festival will be held in full scale covering 7 amazing areas of the Park just like the Royal Flora Ratchapruek held two years ago. Visitors are encouraged to get a passport upon entering the entrance. Those who have collected seven stamps — one from each of the amazing zones will have a chance to win big prizes including tour packages to different destinations in Thailand.

Fireworks displays will cap each of the 10 nights and on 5 December, a 9-series grand fireworks display will be a special not-to-be-missed spectacle of the event.

TAT is expecting around 200,000 visitors from all parts of the country to attend the 10-day festival.

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