34th CHIANG MAI FLOWER FESTIVAL 2010 - February 5

34th CHIANG MAI FLOWER FESTIVAL 2010
February 5 – 7, 2010
At Nong Buak Haat Park, Tha Pae Gate plaza, and Navarat Bridge
Chiang Mai

The hills and valleys of Chiang Mai are ideal natural habitats for a vast variety of tropical as well as temperate flowers. Most bloom early in the year from January to February. This is the best time to enjoy the spectacular floral tapestry that blankets the land with colourful flowers such as the African Marigold, Globe Amaranth, orchids, Ban Chun, chrysanthemum, Celosia, and assorted roses such as the Fa Mui and thin Uang Dok Lek are at their best.

The city of Chiang Mai takes great pride in having maintained its tradition of hosting the annual Chiang Mai Flower Festival for the past 33 years.

The ancient Lanna Thai kingdom — ‘land of a million rice fields’ — was also famous for its tradition of artistic excellence and the northern province of Chiang Mai has since been known as the ‘home’ of the legendary Lanna Thai artisans. Long-recognized for their exquisite craftsmanship, the northern region is also noted for its elaborate traditional floral art installations. The annual Chiang Mai Flower Festival features an impressive showcase of traditional and contemporary floral art and Lanna cultural splendour.

The festival also supports the province’s horticultural industry which has steadily grown in importance as one of Thailand’s major exporters of fresh cut flowers, ornamental plants, and a range of other horticultural products. A total of 222 varieties of flowering and ornamental plants will be on display during the three-day event.

Festival Highlights

	THE PROCESSION OF FLORAL FLOATS February 6, 2010 from 08.00 a.m. onwards Visitors to the northern city will be treated to a dazzling floral extravaganza on Saturday February 6, 2010 from 08.00 a.m. onwards when a procession of 30 beautifully-decorated floral floats – the centrepiece of the annual Chiang Mai Flower Festival — make their way from Nawarat Bridge to Nong Buak Hat Park. The participants will be competing for the auspicious royal trophy bestowed by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn in three award categories – the Best Decorated Float, Most Creative Float, and Best Lanna Heritage Float
	The Chiang Mai Flower Festival Queen beauty pageants for local and international contestants
	Magnificent floral art installations including floral tapestries and walkways
	An exhibition of 222 varieties of flowering and ornamental plants, landscaped gardens and demonstration plots, and horticultural contests featuring ornamental plants and flowering plant, such as Orchids, Cactus, Adenium (Chuan Chom/Desert Rose), Euphorbiaceae (Koson/the Splurge family, Poi Sian/Crown of Thorns), succulent plants, Caladium (Bon Si), Bonsai and colourful Bromeliads, and landscaped gardens
	Music in the park
	Shop at kaat mua — a traditional Northern-style open air market complete with food stalls
	Food fair
	Sales of horticultural products by locals including housewives groups from districts in Chiang Mai.

Contact information:
Tourism Authority of Thailand, Chiang Mai Office
Tel: +66 (0) 5324 8604, (0) 5324 8607
Fax: +66 (0) 5324 8605
E-mail: tatchmai@tat.or.th

IMPORTANT
Event dates and programme details may be subject to change.
Many of the festivals and events listed on Thailand's official calendar of annual events are traditional Buddhist or folk festivals, the date of which is either determined by the Buddhist lunar calendar and waxing and waning moon. These are not staged events. The festivals reflect the rhythm of life in rural Thai villages and local traditions as observed in times past. To ensure you have the most updated information, please reconfirm details prior to travel.

Contact:
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Email: info@tat.or.th
Website: www.tat.or.th
Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 (120 automatic lines)
Fax: +66 (0) 2250 5511 (two automatic lines)

FOR EVENT INFORMATION,
please call 1672.

Address:
1600 Petchaburi Road, Makkasan, Rajatevee
Bangkok 10400
Thailand