Chiang Mai Royal Flower Show

[ThaiPauly]

Went yesterday, just drove into the parking lot, nobody asking for any money or turning us away.

[Thailand]

Went yesterday, just drove into the parking lot, nobody asking for any money or turning us away

Good to know.

They were definitely enforcing it when it first opened but probably just like many things in Thailand the initial enthusiasm has turned to apathy.

[flying]

Same here ....went a couple weeks ago no problems parking our car close to main entrance.

But man is that a big place! Go early as it takes awhile to take it all in....

Beautiful though

Edited January 11, 2012 by flying

[3stan]

i personally prefer the gardens at the palace after doi suthep. Not crowded with school kids, only 50 baht to get in, nicer landscaping, not full of big corporation advertisements (do we really have to be subject to all this promoting and advertising after having had already paid 200 baht admission fees?)' food stands and shops etc.. just 1 man's opinion.

[kjun12]

We went last weekend and I did not consider it to be that great. I was actually a bit disappointed.

[flying]

i personally prefer the gardens at the palace after doi suthep. Not crowded with school kids, only 50 baht to get in, nicer landscaping, not full of big corporation advertisements (do we really have to be subject to all this promoting and advertising after having had already paid 200 baht admission fees?)' food stands and shops etc.. just 1 man's opinion.

Will have to try that spot you mentioned....have never been

As for commercialism at the Flora.... I did not mind the little stands etc inside the exhibit at all.

But the one thing I did not like is how they force you through a warehouse maze full of sellers at the end of the exhibition when

you want to get back to your car. I wanted to just go out near where we came in but they said no you need to go through this building.

Edited January 14, 2012 by flying

[ThaiPauly]

i personally prefer the gardens at the palace after doi suthep. Not crowded with school kids, only 50 baht to get in, nicer landscaping, not full of big corporation advertisements (do we really have to be subject to all this promoting and advertising after having had already paid 200 baht admission fees?)' food stands and shops etc.. just 1 man's opinion.

Will have to try that spot you mentioned....have never been

As for commercialism at the Flora.... I did not mind the little stands etc inside the exhibit at all.

But the one thing I did not like is how they force you through a warehouse maze full of sellers at the end of the exhibition when

you want to get back to your car. I wanted to just go out near where we came in but they said no you need to go through this building.

Have to agree with you, that really pissed me off

[3stan]

yep, that was in my mind as well when i gave feedback.

The thing about the corporate gardens is that companies there are obviously doing some pr/advertisment kind of thing. Could feel a bit like one is paying a fairly stiff entry price (for thailand) to give 'brain time' to those corporations (win win for them).. like paying banks to keep your money so that they can make money from it kindathing..just an observation..but ya, i highly recommand the gardens imention in previous post..lots better imho.

[healthcaretaker]

Ok found this thread, hope it is still active. After reading, I like to know:

1) Not much report on food and drinks. I am a spoiled person. If I spend the whole afternoon till closing, I need to eat and rest my legs in a nice place for a well-blended iced coffee drink, is there such a place ? Many cafes to chosse from ?

2) Are there any more events or diferences between weekday and weekends, beside the crowds ?

3) In a shared songteaw for the return, can i get down anywhere in the city ?

4) Is the 100 baht extra for the transport inside worth it ? Is it well managed, with good signs ? Need much waiting time at every stop ? I rather walk the area if too much time is wasted in waiting.

I have attended the previous one and I quite enjoyed it although it's not "world-class" but "Asia-class" is good enough, you don't see so many flowers in anywhere else in Thailand.

I tried to buy the advance ticket from a bank as advertised few months ago but none of the bank staffs know about it, that really pissed me; but it's forgivable Thailand. Their smiles gave the therapy.

I attended the Doi Suthep one someone mentioned above. The garden is actually not big but I enjoyed the Palace Tour which is a good insight into the Queen's life.

Thanks in advance.

[healthcaretaker]

Is the free shuttle bus from the Railway Station with a/c or not ?

[IanForbes]

As for commercialism at the Flora.... I did not mind the little stands etc inside the exhibit at all.

But the one thing I did not like is how they force you through a warehouse maze full of sellers at the end of the exhibition when

you want to get back to your car. I wanted to just go out near where we came in but they said no you need to go through this building.

I agree wtith you on that issue. I hate being FORCED to follow a route for no other reason than for someone to try and sell me something I don't want. When I want to leave I want to do it with the most direct route possible.

It's kind of like the south west bus station in Bangkok where you have to lug your bags up to the third level just to buy a ticket and then lug them back down again to get on a bus. Meanwhile the two lower levels are just a shopping mall.

I didn't mind the walk from the free parking area to the exhibit. However, I didn't like that they soaked the gravel parking lot to a point of it being soupy mud... and with no other option than to wade through it. I suppose they did it to prevent dust, but I'd rather have dust than mud any day.

[flying]

Ok found this thread, hope it is still active. After reading, I like to know:

1) Not much report on food and drinks. I am a spoiled person. If I spend the whole afternoon till closing, I need to eat and rest my legs in a nice place for a well-blended iced coffee drink, is there such a place ? Many cafes to chosse from ?

2) Are there any more events or diferences between weekday and weekends, beside the crowds ?

3) In a shared songteaw for the return, can i get down anywhere in the city ?

4) Is the 100 baht extra for the transport inside worth it ? Is it well managed, with good signs ? Need much waiting time at every stop ? I rather walk the area if too much time is wasted in waiting.

I have attended the previous one and I quite enjoyed it although it's not "world-class" but "Asia-class" is good enough, you don't see so many flowers in anywhere else in Thailand.

I tried to buy the advance ticket from a bank as advertised few months ago but none of the bank staffs know about it, that really pissed me; but it's forgivable Thailand. Their smiles gave the therapy.

I attended the Doi Suthep one someone mentioned above. The garden is actually not big but I enjoyed the Palace Tour which is a good insight into the Queen's life.

Thanks in advance.

Hi

I cannot answer all but will try the ones I know...

1) For sure there is many places & varieties of foods inside. Also as someone mentioned on another thread the prices are quite good.

You can have many things like a whole fish with crispy lemon grass on top or regular things like chicken, fried rice etc. Even at the Lanna display many types of noodle dishes etc. Ice Coffee? Many places to choose from along with Thai ice tea etc. & even many ice creams to choose from

2) I am not sure about any differences between weekdays & weekends but we went on a weekday & nothing was closed or off limits

3) Not sure as we have a car but my guess would be no problem to get a songteaw....But again I am not 100% on that

4) You know we paid the extra for the transport & only used the transport for 30 seconds. As you said it was more fun to walk.

If you use the ride it stops every few hundred yards those who want to get off do & it leaves.

When you want to ride again you go to where it dropped you & grab the next one coming through. I doubt the wait is long but it was just easier to us to walk

& stop/go at our pace.

While I would not say the ride is needed I did get the entry that included a ride on the Ferris wheel. That was cool because you get to see the whole place from up there & the views are beautiful.

Overall we really enjoyed it. But as mentioned & since you went you know....It is big & you can spend a long time in there.

Lucky we went early because even in the cool season it was getting warm by 1pm

Hope this helps

Edited February 1, 2012 by flying

[healthcaretaker]

Thank you.

[thaibeachlovers]

Ok found this thread, hope it is still active. After reading, I like to know:

1) Not much report on food and drinks. I am a spoiled person. If I spend the whole afternoon till closing, I need to eat and rest my legs in a nice place for a well-blended iced coffee drink, is there such a place ? Many cafes to chosse from ?

2) Are there any more events or diferences between weekday and weekends, beside the crowds ?

3) In a shared songteaw for the return, can i get down anywhere in the city ?

4) Is the 100 baht extra for the transport inside worth it ? Is it well managed, with good signs ? Need much waiting time at every stop ? I rather walk the area if too much time is wasted in waiting.

I have attended the previous one and I quite enjoyed it although it's not "world-class" but "Asia-class" is good enough, you don't see so many flowers in anywhere else in Thailand.

I tried to buy the advance ticket from a bank as advertised few months ago but none of the bank staffs know about it, that really pissed me; but it's forgivable Thailand. Their smiles gave the therapy.

I attended the Doi Suthep one someone mentioned above. The garden is actually not big but I enjoyed the Palace Tour which is a good insight into the Queen's life.

Thanks in advance.

1/ It's in Thailand. There are places to eat everywhere.

3/ If it's where the driver is going you can get off anywhere. He will go anywhere that is convenient for him, unless a lot of people want to go there. Tell the driver where you want to go and he will say yes or no. Might cost a bit extra if it's out of his way.

4/ absolutely. I think the big "train" is cheaper than that. There are 3 types of transport. Don't usually have to wait long for a train to come. It's way too big for me to have walked everywhere, especially in the heat.

I don't think the special offer still exists. Had to buy it before the show started.

[healthcaretaker]

Thank you.

I have done it already and here is my brief report:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/531221-chiang-mai-royal-flora-show-trip-report/page__fromsearch__1