New forest garden to be opened in Bangkok

BANGKOK, July 14 (TNA) - People in Bangkok will soon have a new forest garden for their recreation on holidays, as Thailand Tobacco Monopoly has beautified the landscape in its compound to be the Benjakitti urban forest garden. Daonoi Suthinipaphan, Managing Director of Thailand Tobacco Monopoly told journalists on Thursday that flowers, which are symbols of 77 Thai provinces have been planted at the Benjakitti forest garden, set to be officially opened on August 12, 2016 as part of grand celebrations of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s 84th birthday. In the first phase, Daonoi said, the area of 61 rai (24 acres) is designed by the Nongnuch Landscape & Garden Design Company Limited to be simple, cost-effective and functional garden in the heart of the city. Besides, there will be about 30,400 trees in the newly-opened forest garden, including 3,414 perennial plants, namely Bodhi trees, Jackfruit trees, Banyan trees and Frangipani trees. Rare tree species and trees mentioned in Thai literature will also be collected in the forest garden to be the natural learning center for the public. Facilities, such as footpaths, parking lots, resting areas will be constructed as well. In the future, Daonoi noted, a bike lane will be built to connect the forest garden with the Benjakitti park and pond. According to the Thailand Tobacco Monopoly chief, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha will preside over the opening ceremony on August 12, when he will also plant a tree marking the official opening of the forest garden. (TNA)