Royal Flora 2011 comes to an end

The closing ceremony featured dancers and the Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2011 mascots as well as a huge fireworks display.

Nopniwat Krailerg

Strong winds and rain on the final day of the Royal Flora 2011 cut the ceremonies short. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism and Sport Chumphon Silpa-archa presided over the closing ceremony of the Royal Flora 2011 on Wednesday, March 14, 2012.

Honored guests included Dr. Doeke Faber, President of the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH), Dr. Chao Duangduen Na Chiang Mai, President of the Culture Council, Chiang Mai Governor M.L Panadda Diskul and Consuls and Honorary Consuls from many countries as well as officials and visitors totaling more than 1,000 people attended the closing ceremony.

More than 2.2 million people visited the Royal Flora 2011 since its opening on December 14, 2011 bringing more than 10 billion Baht in revenues to the area. The opening was delayed from November due to the flooding that devastated large portions of Thailand at the time.

South Africa took the prize for the International Garden small group from the Horticultural Association of Thailand while a special award from the AIPH was awarded the popular vote Charoen Popkhand (CP) Group took the prize for corporate gardens.

Jirakorn Kosaisaewee, Director General of the Department of Agriculture said that after the end of the Royal Flora 2011 the park will be closed to visitors from March 15 to April 5 to allow exhibitors to remove their gardens. The Royal Flora Ratchaphruek Park will be open to guests again on April 6 at the usual time of 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day and will plan special activities throughout the year.[/indent]

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[chiangmaimail][/chiangmaimail]

It rates as the best 200bt I have spent this year without doubt.

but I dont seem to come across many people living here who went....maybe they thought it was a flower show?? far from it.