Thailand’s Royal Flora could become permanent fixture
A report in the Bangkok Post says that the Thai Government is being urged to keep the world-class Royal Flora Ratchaphruek site, due to close at the end of this month, open as a new tourism site and horticultural research and development centre.
”Royal Flora Ratchaphruek, which covers 470 rai, has high potential in terms of market value because the project has successfully become a brand that is widely recognised by the public and popular among visitors to Chiang Mai,” said Preecha Sananvatananont, President of show organiser Reed Tradex.
The international horticultural exposition, which opened on Nov 1 and is scheduled to close on Jan 31, had drawn more than three million visitors, including 200,000 foreigners, as of Monday.
Kasikorn Research Center estimated that the event would generate income of more than 24 billion baht.
According to Mr Preecha, Deputy Commissioner of the project management office for Royal Flora, Reed Tradex projected the number of visitors would reach 3.6 million once the event closed at the end of this month.
Future utilisation of the Royal Flora Ratchaphruek area will rest with a committee chaired by Agriculture Minister Thira Sutabutra.
According to Mr Preecha, given the site’s perfect location in terms of academic, tourism, commercial and social potential, it would be disappointing if the project was developed as just a learning centre or public garden.
He urged the government to allow all parties involved, such as the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), and local authorities to share a part in contributing the best solutions for the future of the project.
Mr Preecha added that Chiang Mai had potential to become a new destination for the MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) market given its unique Lanna culture, beautiful craftsmanship and various tourism spots.
TAT governor Phornsiri Manoharn agreed that the Royal Flora site should not be utilised only as an academic centre, adding, that TAT was waiting for a final decision, with the tourism body prepared to include Royal Flora in future promotional campaigns for foreign tourists, particularly in countries that had contributed to the event.
Report by The Mole
John Alwyn-Jones
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