THAILAND TRAVEL NEWS: More than 200,000 people are expected to flock to the northern Thailand city of Chiang Mai next month for the annual Ratchaphruek (flower) Festival.

The colorful festival will form part of the 82nd birthday celebrations of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on December 5, and take place at the same venue that hosted the Royal Flora Ratchaphruek in 2006 to celebrate the King’s 60th year on the throne.

Organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, the festival will be held from December 1 through 10, with Thailand Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva releasing 999 floating lanterns at the opening ceremony on December 1.

The Ratchaphruek Festival will also feature classical Thai dancing from the country’s four different regions, with 99 dancers coming from each region.

The festival will feature an extensive display of flowers, plants, and fruits, as well as handicrafts, on-farm produced products and goods produced under the One Tambon (sub-district) One Product (OTOP) scheme introduced by former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

In 2006 the Royal Flora Ratchaphruek attracted about 2.5 million plants and flowers, and about as many visitors.

Juthaporn Rerngronasa, deputy governor for marketing communications at the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said that on December 5 there will be a large ceremony involving the lighting of candles and prayers wishing His Majesty good health, followed by fireworks and a light and sound presentation.

By John Le Fevre

Thailand Travel News for November 11, 2009