With 10 Highlights in Imagination Park under 3G 3R Eco-Concept, 30 International Gardens and 20 Corporate Gardens, Special Promotion Offering 50% Off on 10/10/11 and 10 Following Days, A Chance to Win Return Air Ticket to Chiang Mai, Accommodation and Restaurants Worth More Than 300,000 Baht
The upcoming November 9 is the opening date of the eagerly awaited International Horticultural Exposition: Royal Flora Ratchapruek 2011, grandly organized as a tribute to H.M. the King, H.M. the Queen and Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn. The event also helps global platform realize the agricultural potential of Thai farmers and boosts the tourism economy of Thailand.
This event displays more than two million tons of plants, exquisite international gardens from more than 30 countries, increasing from 22 countries formerly, 20 corporate gardens that focus on environmental saving and global warming reduction, national and international symposiums on agriculture, more than 300 exotic species, 642 horticultural garden contests offering 6,795 awards in total, contests of outdoor and indoor international gardens and 10 highlights of Imagination Park under 3G 3R principles that should not be missed.
| 10 Highlights of Imagination Park under 3G 3R Eco-Concept |
Dr. Suwit Chaikiattiyos, Director Horticulture Research Institute, Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, in revealing 10 must-see highlights, said, “The concept of this expo is to foster the idea of “Greenitude” by adhering with 3 Gs and 3 Rs principles. Therefore, the presentation method is outstanding for both idea and the amount of exhibitions, 10 of which are on display. That is why it is called Imagination Park and I would like to invite everyone to see 1.) Exhibition as homage to H.M. the King, H.M. the Queen and Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn 2.) 3G 3R Exhibition 3.) Exhibition of Thai Herb, Lotus and Orchid 4.) World of Insect Exhibition 5.) Kids’ Eco Park.”
1.) The exhibition as a tribute to H.M. the King, H.M. the Queen and Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn is located in Exhibition Building 1 under the concept of “Follow the Footsteps of Our Father: Agriculture is the Solution for Sustainable Life”. The highlight is in the second zone titled “Follow the Footsteps of Our Father”, presenting environmental crisis when the world lost its balance. The solution guideline lays upon agriculture or horticulture, namely H.M. the King’s royal initiative projects like dam building project, royal rain, check dam, Vetiver grass and new theory agriculture. H.M. the Queen’s royal initiative projects include Pa Rak Nam (Forest Preserves Water) Project and Ban Lek Nai Pa Yai (Small House in a Vast Forest) Project while Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn royal initiative projects are Green Roof and hydroponic vegetable. All are presented with advanced technique that catches the audiences’ eyes and touch their hearts. Participants can also pledge a vow and give blessing to the beloved royal family via touch screen TV.
2.) “3G 3R Establish Green Foundation in the Past, Continue the Present, Create the Future, and Reduce the Global Warming” exhibition displays the information of 3G 3R that alleviates the global warming and features Green City, which is the idea to grow plants in big cities, such as planting trees on the rooftop or in the building, vertical garden and ornamental plants that reduce global warming and absorb toxin. Visitors can adapt these ideas for their own garden. The exhibition also presents the model community that successfully applies 3G 3R principles like Ton Phueng village in Lampoon Province.
3) Horticultural innovation is exhibited in Exhibition Building 2, consisting of Thai Herb Exhibition presented under the concept of “Pleasure of Thai Wisdom … Myriad of Thai Herb”. It is divided into nine zones to educate the visitors. In Thai Lotus Exhibition, visitors will see the exotic and one-of-a-kind lotus for the first and only one time, such as mini lotus with the size of match head, giant color-changing lotus and Visakha lotus. Orchid Exhibition, known as Orchid Academy, gathers the widest range of knowledge about orchid. Many fascinating and eye-catching orchids are on display, namely in Orchid Zoo, there are many orchids with similar patterns to animals, such as monkey or bat.
4.) World of Insect Exhibition gathers more live and dead insects than previously. Get ready to meet the beetles that are inherited from their ancestor in the sea.
5.) Kids’ Eco Park is the futuristic amusement part that fosters the idea of global warming alleviation and the love for nature among young generation via animation.
Mr. Upatham Nisitsukjaroen, Director of the Office of International Horticultural Exposition: Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2011, mentioned five more highlights of Imagination Park. He said, “More performances that should not be missed are 6.) Exhibition to pay homage to H.M. the King at Royal Pavilion 7.) The greatest orchid contest that takes place throughout 99 days 8.) Ratchapruek Water curtain performance at Ratchapruek Pond 9.) Special performance to admire the grace of to H.M. the King, H.M. the Queen and Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn under the concept of earth, water, sky and grace and 10.) Special show during festive events, such as Ratchapruek Loy Krathong, New Year Festival and Ratchapruek Valentine’s Day.”
6.) Exhibition to pay homage to H.M. the King at Royal Pavilion: For the first time, every Thai citizen will learn H.M. the King’s biography and appreciate his royal activities. The exhibition gathers the most complete information on more than 3,000 royal initiative projects of his nationwide. His rare photos, almost 200 hand paintings of his and almost every royal composition are also on display.
7.) The horticultural contest: The types of contest have increased by 30%, with 642 contests and 6,795 prizes in total, including orchid, flowering and foliage plants, flower arrangement, vegetable, mushroom, fruit, tea, coffee as well as outdoor and indoor gardens. As the highlight, the orchid contest weekly takes place for 99 days, under interesting titles like “Orchid Paradise” gathering more than 2,000 twigs of orchids from different species. “The Orchid Species for the King” is the orchid species contest, such as rare and valuable Lady Slipper orchid. Furthermore, there are contests for fragrant orchids like “Mega Event at Fragrant Orchid Plaza” withRhychostylis spreading the fragrance all over the area and “Sweet Fragrance of Orchid from Nakorn Ratchasima Province”. These are only a part of the event and there are many more, including brand new contests, such as International Flower Arrangement Contest whose grandeur and beauty is guaranteed.
8.) “The Wonder of Green Power” Ratchapruek Water curtain performance at Ratchapruek Pond: Showcased for the first time in this expo, the revolutionary technology will stun the audiences with the water curtain performance and dancing fountain each night from 6:40 p.m. to 7 p.m. Please reserve the space to see the beauty before the seating is full.
9.) Imagination Beyond Border: Water, Earth, Sky and the Grace as a tribute to H.M. the King, H.M. the Queen and Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn. The show is performed in combination with light and sound as well as Thai and international culture, led by Chompoo – Araya A. Hargett.
10) Special performances during festive seasons, such as Loy Krathong or Yee Peng, National Father’s day, Christmas, New Year Eve and New Year Day, National Children’s Day, Chinese New Year Day and Valentine’s Day.
In additional, two new highlights are especially held to enhance novelty this year. The first is Imagination Light Garden. For the first time ever, million lights glitter from solar energy and glowing butterflies dance along the rhythm of music. Second, 40-meter-high Giant Flora Wheel is the idealsightseeing spot to admire the magnificent view of Royal Floral Ratchapruek from the best angle.
| Grand Gardens from 30 Countries and 20 Corporate Gardens |
For international gardens, 30 countries attend the expo, consisting of 6 new comers like Pakistan, South Korea, Canada, Yemen and Taiwan joining in addition to 24 countries that already took part in the expo and accept the invitation once again. They are Bangladesh, Belgium, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kenya, Laos, Malaysia, Mauritania, Morocco, Nepal, Netherland, Qatar, South Africa, Spain, Sudan, Turkey, Vietnam and Thailand joining with one organization – Hyoko/Kyoto/Osaka.
International gardens of each country majestically display highlights and distinctive features. For example, in Bhutan’s garden, visitors can worship “Sakyamuni Buddha Image”, representing the Bhutanese’s heart and soul and sacred item highly revered by the people, and see the national flower, blue poppy. In Chinese garden, visitors can smell the fragrance of Sweet Osmanthus all over the place while Garden of India has Maha Bodhi tree, Cannon Ball tree and Indian herbal garden. Iranian garden replicates the tombstone of Hafes, the great poet widely respected by Iranian. In Japanese garden, Fuji Mountain is brought in the garden of yellow chrysanthemum. Malaysian garden is outstanding with various rare insect-eating plants while Spanish garden displays Dragon Blood tree, which is the national emblem.
This year, there are 20 corporate gardens and each was grandly decorated under the concept of environmental saving and global warming reduction. For example, Garden of H.M. the King’s Generosity by Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) tells the story of how to efficiently consume natural resources in compliance with the advice of H.M. the King. The upstream brook is replicated so that visitors can learn that the water is like a vein for downstream communities. The check dam and way of life of farmers on the highland and performance of hill tribe people are reproduced by Royal Project Foundation. As the forest garden, “Dassada Garden” is full of blooming flowers. Last but not least, Chiang Mai Provincial Administrative Office features lilies from more than 30 species.
| Special Promotion: On 10/10/11 and 10 Following Days, Buy Tickets in Advance for Half Price Plus, A Chance to Win Return Ticket to Chiang Mai, Accommodation and Restaurants Worth over 300,000 Baht in Total |
Mr. Upatham Nisitsukjaroen, Director of the Office of International Horticultural Exposition: Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2011, talked about the ticket promotion. He said, “I cannot describe all splendor of this expo we have this year. So, everyone needs to see it with their own eyes. Since Thailand has not organized this kind of expo for a while, I believe that this event will be highly anticipated. To attract Thai people to attend the expo, anyone who purchases tickets in advance at any branch of Krungthai Bank and Thai Ticket Major will receive 50% discount. Furthermore, anyone who buys tickets between October 10 and 19, 2011, (10/10/11 on month 10 and 10 following days) has a chance to be a lucky winner who earn one of 20 return tickets to Chiang Mai, 40 prizes of two-day/one-night accommodation with breakfast in Chiang Mai and dining vouchers from famous restaurants in Chiang Mai worth over 300,000 baht in total.”
Dr. Suwit Chaikiattiyos, Director Horticulture Research Institute, Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, concluded, “This expo is considered the largest annual event that boosts Thailand’s tourism and economy. It not only attracts tourists from around the world to visit Thailand, but also helps global platform realize the agricultural potential of Thai farmers. In addition of the country’s fame for beautiful tourist attractions, invaluable culture and world-renowned cuisine, Thailand has strong potential in organizing national exhibition. Since we also care for the environment, we focus on 3G 3R principles to save the environment.”
The International Horticultural Exposition: Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2011 will be organized from November 9, 2011, to February 15, 2012, at Royal Park Ratchapruek, Mae Hia Sub-District, Muang District, Chiang Mai Province. Tickets are available at every branch of Krungthai Bank nationwide and Thai Ticket Major, offering half price to anyone who purchases in advance. For more information, please contact the call center at 0-2610-2011.
