Thailand's Royal Flora Ratchaphruek attracts increasing visitors

CHIANG MAI, December 16 (TNA) - Thailand's International Horticultural Exposition Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2011, which unofficially kicked off in the northern resort Chiang Mai Province on December 14 amid the winter's cold snap, has attracted increasingly international visitors. Thai Information and Communication Technology Minister Anudith Nakornthap presided over the opening ceremony of a park at the International Horticultural Exposition Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2011 on December 15, one day after the three-month expo was opened for the international visitors by Deputy Prime Minister Chumpol Silapa-archa, who is also Tourism and Sports Minister. Thursday's ceremony also featured a demonstration of the latest communicational technology, including the 3G network, and offered free domestic and international phone services. Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn is scheduled to preside over a ceremony to officially open the International Horticultural Exposition Royal Flora Ratchbaphruek 2011 on January 16, 2012. The quarter-long expo, from December 14, 2011-March 14, 2012, was organised in honour of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the auspicious occasion of the beloved Thai monarch's 84th birthday on December 5, 2011. (TNA)