Saw it in the grounds of a Wat near Roi Et, about 6 ft tall, no leaves but beautiful yellow flowers opening from a tight round ball.

It could be a "Double flower Buttercup tree" so called as resembles a buttercup flower (when single flower variety). This is single flower variety. The flowers appear before the leaves

Edited March 5, 200719 yr by loong

Here are some doubles

Cochlospermum vitifolium

Buttercup tree, Mountain Cotton, Cotton-tree

Hope this helps

In Thai we call it as "Supunnigar" สุพรรณนิการ์ or "Fai Khum"ฝ้ายคำ

(For the scientific name and common names are the names that loong has posted)

Well, i am very impressed with your knowledge. Thanks very much.

Another question - would it grow in Pattaya?