Green Culture Singapore Feature Article for January 2007
	Text by Ong Chong Ren
	Pictures from Ong Chong Ren & valentine
	Online on 1 Feb 2007

I had been planning to visit Thailand for the last 4 years to shop for plants, but for one reason or another, I never really managed to find the time to do so. Just last November, however, I decided that I had run out of excuses to put off the trip, and finally I got to see what I had been dreaming about for the past few years. It just so happened that I caught wind of a gigantic horticultural expo going on in Chiang Mai at the same time, so it seemed only natural to plan that into my trip. Another one of our members, Shao Xiong (csbear), came along with me as well.

Above: Chong Ren (right) with Shao Xiong.

The Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006 Expo was held from the 1st of November 2006 to the 31st of January 2007, in order to celebrate the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej's ascension to throne, as well as his 80th Birthday Anniversary at the same time. The Expo was a combined effort on the part of the Thai people as an expression of deep love and respect for their King, for his benevolent contributions and great works that he has done for his people and his Kingdom.

Above: Flowers of Cassia fistula.

Before the show, I was wondering what the word 'Ratchaphruek' meant. It sure was a mouthful to pronounce! Apparently, 'Ratchaphruek' is the Thai name for the Golden Shower Tree, or Cassia fistula for those who prefer latin names. The brilliant yellow flowers of the Cassia are very significant, as yellow is the royal colour in Thailand. Also, the anthers of the Cassia flower look like the Thai numeral for nine, which reflects King Bhumibol as being the ninth ruler of the Chakri Dynasty. We arrived in Chiang Mai on the 26th of November after running out of things to buy in Bangkok for the past 3 days, and planned to visit the Expo on the 27th, thinking that it would be fairly empty, it being a Monday. We came to discover how terribly wrong we were later on. As we drove towards the expo in our taxi, the landscape around us began to change, with the buildings of the bustling city thinning out into great rolling plains and extensive fields. Pictures of the King covered posters on every street lamppost, with celebratory messages in Thai and English commemorating his 80th birthday. The landscape around us began to colour up with massive plantings as we drew nearer the Royal Agricultural Research Centre in Mae-Hia, where the Expo was held.

We were stunned by the huge throngs of people streaming towards the main entrance as we got off the taxi. Coach after coach of school students unloaded into the car park, and all the chattering added to the festive atmosphere.

Above: At the vicinity of the venue of Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006 Expo.

One of the first exhibits that we visited was the Aquatic Plants and Lotus feature that was being held from the 17th to the 27th of November. Thailand produces large amounts of water lilies in the form of both cut flowers and whole plants, and it forms a substantial part of its agricultural revenue. We learnt about the many different kinds of water lilies and lotus grown in Thailand, as well as the methods which they employ to propagate them.

A tropical day-blooming water lily.	A hardy water lily.
Blue Nang-Kwag.	Tropical night-blooming water lily.
Victoria amazonica.	A lotus cultivar.
Tissue-cultured water lily plantlet.	Various culture vessels.

The next exhibit which we visited was one on how the Thai employ biotechnology to their agricultural practices. The use of high-yield variety seeds as well as hydroponics allows for maximum usage of space and labour.

Tomatoes.	Capiscums.
High-yield variety rice.	Ready for harvest.

The orchid pavilion showcased a large variety of unusual orchid species, many of which are endemic to Thailand. There were also various commercial orchid hybrids on display, including a particularly unique mutation of the common Phalaenanthe Dendrobium that produced light, peach-coloured blooms. Slipper orchids were also in abundance.

Above: Some beautiful orchids seen in the Expo.

Being the Heliconia buff that I am, I just had to see what Thailand had to offer in the way of Heliconia. Although many varieties were common, there were some that I had never seen before.

Heliconia bihai 'Arawak'	Heliconia collinsiana
Ever seen a Heliconia latispatha this shade of green and red?	I don't know what this is…

I did not really spend enough time at the show because my Mom had to rush off to attend some day tour of Chiang Mai, but what I did see left an impact on me. The Expo was indeed planned on a very grand scale, and the Lannai architecture of the buildings was charming in a beautifully rustic way. However, what really got me thinking was the way in which their King Bhumibol is revered by the Thai people. Despite all the recent unrest that Bangkok has been going through, the love and respect of the Thai people for the King has not been diminished in any way.

Above: At the Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006 Expo.

The resourcefulness of the Thai can also be seen in the way they adapt their agriculture to overcome the hot and arid climate of their country, especially during the dry season. In some ways, Singapore has a lot to learn from Thailand in terms of agriculture. Being a land and water-scarce country, the use of cutting-edge biotechnology in our agriculture may prove to be very effective, greatly reducing labour while increasing yield at the same time.

Above: On my way home...

In any case, the Royal Flora Ratchaphruek Expo is really a must see, at least for the culture of the Thai, if not for the exotic plants or the landscape. Although I did buy a whole lot of plants during my trip, the things I have seen and lessons I have learnt will stay with me for a long time.