Chiang Mai's Royal Flora Ratchaphruek

A towering Ratchaphruek tree, better known as a cassia fistula or Golden shower, stands on a hill at the entry to the Royal Ratchaphruek 2006 international horticultural exposition. Its outstretched branches are heavy with the yellow blossoms. The blossom of the Ratchaphruek is Thailand's national flower. The golden blooms recall saffron robes of Buddhist monks, while the stamens resemble the Thai character for nine, which is representative of His Majesty King Bhumiphol Adulyadej's reign as the ninth King of the Chakri Dynasty. Yellow is also the color of Monday, the day of His Majesty's birth. Standing under the shade of its branches, looking over at the gardens showcasing the bounty of the Kingdom, is rather like being under the symbolic canopy of His Majesty's benevolence.

Flowers are considered a universal offering of love and respect. So it is fitting then that 32 nations from five continents, 22 corporate entities and 53 provinces from across Thailand have joined hands to create a floral masterpiece in Chiang Mai in honor of His Majesty's 60th coronation jubilee in 2006 and 80th birthday celebration in 2007.

The first international horticultural exposition ever organized in Southeast Asia, Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006 has transformed 80 hectares of the Royal Agricultural Research Centre into a one-of-a-kind showcase for 2.5 million plants - in all, more than 2, 000 species of flora from around the world. With the theme "To Express Love for Humanity," the exposition has been designed to reflect the many ways in which humankind is cared for by nature in the same unselfish manner that His Majesty the King cares for his people. More than two million visitors are expected during the three months from its opening in November until January 31, 2007. The horticultural exposition aims to promote an appreciation of nature to the general public and impart world-class horticulture knowledge to specialists.

Nestled in the beautiful foothills of Mae Hia district south of Chiang Mai, the Royal Flora landscape is an artfully designed contrast between natural features and fanciful plantings arranged in bold patterns. All the plants included in the expo have passed a rigorous selection process. More than one visit might be in the offing since touring the entire setting on foot is expected to take six hours. The sprawling complex is organized into three thematic zones: the "Royal Plaza"; the "Gardens for the King", comprising the corporate gardens and international gardens; and the "World of Tropical Plants and Flowers", highlights of which include a Thai tropical garden and an orchid pavilion.

Anchoring the Royal Plaza at the heart of the expositions is the Hor Kham Luang, or the Royal Pavillion, an exquisite wooden structure built in Lanna Thai style. With elegant, sloping, multi-tiered roofs, richly carved wooden gable and eave brackets, and a gold-accented interior, the Pavilion houses an exhibition entitled An Agricultural King: The Brilliance that Benefits the Thai People.

Long recognized as the Father of the Nation, His Majesty has developed countless agricultural theories that have been implemented in thousands of rural development projects. These include new methods of reforestation, erosion control and integrated farming techniques. Indeed, in recognition of these accomplishments, His Majesty was awarded the inaugural UNDP Human Development Lifetime Award by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan this past May. Panels along the axial walkway leading up to the Pavillion and exquisite interior murals showcase His Majesty's teachings and accomplishments in promoting a self-sufficient economy. Likewise, each of the corporate gardens hosted by domestic governmental organizations, state enterprises and private conglomerates also focus on His Majesty's development theories and projects.

Adjacent to the corporate gardens are the international gardens, built by more than 30 nations to commemorate the auspicious occasion and to celebrate each nation's ties with Thailand, both in terms of trade and people-to-people connections. Each country's garden highlights a unique horticultural heritage - bringing local plants, architecture and geographic features to Chiang Mai.

The gardens represent 13 countries in Asia, five from Europe, nine from Africa, three Middle Eastern nations and two from the Americas. Notably, many of the participating countries have royal relations with Thailand, including Belgium, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, Japan, Malaysia, Morocco, Nepal, the Netherlands, Qatar and Spain. The gardens of these nations are presented not only as a tribute from the people, but also as a royal gift to the world's longest-ruling monarch.

To animate these national landscapes, many countries, many countries are also hosting performances, shows and gastronomic events. At the expo's conclusion, the international gardens will be donated to Thailand to promote a better understanding of each of the countries involved.

The largest collection of tropical horticulture species ever assembled - at the "World Tropical Plants and Flowers" - features fruits, flowers, orchids, herbs and greenery from around the world. Special exhibits devoted to tropical fruits, medicinal plants and herbs, rare domestic plants and even plants from the Thai literature will highlight Thailand's phenomenally diverse variety of flora, which plays a pivotal role in the country's economy and its traditional way of life.

The Orchid Pavilion alone is worth half a day of awe-filled investigation. On show are world's smallest and largest orchids - the single-leafed Bulbophyllum moniliforme and the three-meter long Grammatophyllum speciosum, respectively. Also on show are candidates for the world's most odiferous and fragrant orchids, the New Guinea forest species bulb Giganteum and the Vanilla planifolia, whose beans are used to produce vanilla essence. Rare wild orchids from around the world are also here, including three species from the mountains of Northern Thailand named after Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. A weekly competition of various aspects of orchid raising and arrangement will offer orchid-lovers a one-of-a-kind venue for world-class exchange.

Professionals and academics can take part in a series of horticultural seminar organized as part of the expo, designed to educate and improve professional standards in this field. Starting with an international workshop on tropical and sub-tropical plants, the programme also includes symposia on fresh produce supply chain management, ornamental plants and medicinal and aromatic plants.

All visitors to expo can enjoy a lively programme of cultural performances from participating provinces and countries. The cultural extravaganza includes a special 200-man performance of the traditional Thai khon dance, along with more than 90 other shows to be staged on the expo grounds. Handicraft products, especially those produced through Royally initiated projects, will also be on display.

After 92 days, the Royal Flora Expo will be turned into a permanent attraction in Chiang Mai, joining the other botanical gardens of the Greater Lanna area, notably, the Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden in Chiang Mai and the Princess Mother's Doi Tung Palace in Chiang Rai. Crafted with loving care by the people of Thailand and the international community, the gardens will remain as a lasting floral tribute to His Majesty the King, one of the world's foremost agriculturists. (By Montira Horayangura Unakul, Sawadee Magazine - Thai Airways)