BANGKOK– The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has put together a calendar of seasonal flowers that bloom in different regions and at different periods throughout the year to entice Thai tourists to travel more often within the kingdom and further afield.
The initiative, part of the recently launched “Dream Destinations 2015” tourism marketing campaign, has seen horticultural experts create a calendar for TAT which Thai and international travellers can consult to find the perfect destinations each month and take in the magical sights of the kingdom’s indigenous flowers in full bloom. Many of Thailand’s best flowers are found in the hills and forests, so there is some great scenery to be enjoyed as well as hiking and picnicking trips.
Mr. Anupharp Thirarath, Deputy Governor for Domestic Marketing of TAT said, “Every year sees many Thai travellers go overseas to enjoy the blooming of flowers in other nations. But we have equally lovely flowers here in Thailand and the “Dream Destinations 2015” campaign aims to show the world what we offer. What’s more, as Thailand is a tropical nation, we have something to show off every month of the year.”
Here are the floral highlights of the TAT calendar:
January: Enjoy the Wild Himalayan Cherry at Phu Lom Lo, Dan Sai district in Loei province, the colourful Chrysanthemums at Wang Nam Khiao district, in Nakhon Ratchasima; and the elegant Tulips at the Flower Festival in Chiang Rai.
February: This month showcases the yellow blossoms of the Tabebuia Aurea on Route 3502 stretching from Samchuk to the Danchang district of Suphanburi and the sea of Red Lotus blossoms at Kumphavapi, Udon Thani. In the North, the Orchid Tree or Butterfly Tree Festival takes place at Chae SonNational Park in Lampang.
March: See Tabebuia Rosea or Pink Trumpet Trees in full bloom at Kasetsart University, Kampaeng Saen near Nakhon Pathom.
April: The Golden Shower trees start to bloom on the way up to Khon Kaen. Also to be enjoyed are the Lakes of Lotus and Water Lilies at Thale Noi Waterfowl Reserve in Phatthalung.
May: This month, the bright yellow Habenaria Militaris orchids are in full bloom at Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park in Phitsanulok.
June: Enjoy the lovely lotus ponds at Khlong Mahasawat in Nakhon Pathom.
July: Visit the Siam Tulip Festival at Thepsathit district in Chaiyaphum province. Also enjoy the Dok Khao Phansa flowers, traditionally offered to monks at Khao Suwan Banphot, Khao Wong and Khao Phu, in Saraburi province.
August: The golden Sunhemp flowers come into bloom at Ramdaeng sub-district in Songkhla.
September: The dancing blue Dok Ngon Nak flowers come out in the meadows of the Phu Soi Dao National Park in Uttaradit.
October: Enjoy wild flowers at Pha Taem National Park in the Khong Chiam district of Ubon Ratchathani.
November: The hillsides of U Ko in Mae Hong Son province turn gold with the famous Tung Dok Bua Tong flowers and Desert Cacti can be seen in Thailand at the Nong Nooch Tropical Garden in Chon Buri.
December: Walk in the blooming coffee fields of Chumphon or the Christmas fields at Phu Rua, Loei. This is also the month when the sunflower fields at Khao Chin Lae in Lopburi are at their best.
Mr. Anupharp said, “This blooming calendar will allow flower lovers to plan ahead and see parts of the kingdom that they may have never visited before. We want to encourage everyone to get out there and enjoy the colourful offerings of nature, and for Thailand to become internationally known for its lovely blooms,”