ROYAL FLORA RATCHAPHRUEK 2006
International Horticultural Exposition for His Majesty the King. At the Royal Agricultural Research Center, Chiang Mai, Thailand
1 November 2006 – 31 January 2007

All flowers bloom in Chiang Mai ... Touch of Nature from over the World. You will see the exotic flowers that you might never seen these kind of plants and blossoms: some grow in cold condition like Tulips, Cherry Blossom, etc.

Royal Flora Ratchaphruek has enlisted the help of its nine adorable mascots to help promote the event nationwide.

Team Leader Nong Khun and his companions have been on a tour around Thailand urging Thais to be proud hosts of Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006 — an impressive world-class international expo of tropical flora. During the expo, visitors from Thailand and all over the world will be treated to a dazzling spectacle of over 2.5 million tropical plants representing over 2,200 species.

While on his travels, Nong Khun is accompanied by Nong Kulap representing the Queen Sirikit Rose; Nari representing the Lady’s Slipper Orchid, paphiopedilum; Bua representing the lotus; Kan Yao, representing durian — ‘king’ of tropical fruits; Mangkhut representing mangosteen — ‘queen’ of tropical fruits; Fak Bua — the plant watering can — represents a boy who takes care of the plants; Chon, the Chinese radish; and Ta Thung, the scarecrow.

Nong Khun or Ratchaphruek

Nong Khun, Team Leader of the Royal Flora Ratchaphruek mascots is also known by his full name, “Ratchaphruek” which means the Golden Shower Tree, the national tree of Thailand.

Nong Khun and his buddies have been on a Royal Flora Ratchaphruek tour around Thailand. Nong Khun is a nature lover and a thrill-seeker at heart. He likes action and adventure … and constantly goes in search of new knowledge. He’s creative – always coming up with new thoughts and ideas and thinking up new challenges for his friends.

Nong Kulap,

Nong Kulap represents the Queen Sirikit Rose, a hybrid tea rose considered to be ‘rose royalty’. A cross between the Color Wonder and Golden Giant varieties of rose, the Queen Sirikit Rose is a hybrid tea rose of impressive quality, noted for its large blossom consisting of multiple layers of delicately fragrant bright yellow petals trimmed with a reddish hue growing from a long strong stem. Nong Kulap is sweet, smart, gentle, polite, gracious, humble, patient, cautious and thorough. She’s a modern young lady but well-endowed with the fine qualities of a traditional Thai lady. She’s equally skilled in Thai culinary art and traditional Thai handicraft.

Nari, representing Lady’s Slipper, paphiopedilum

Nari is a naughty little princess who is Kulap’s neighbor. A mischievious character, Nari always gets into trouble and leaves a trail of chaos wherever she goes. Smart… in sort of a cheeky sort of way, Nari has many funny stories to share with us.

Bua

Bua, symbolic of the lotus, represents all that is pure and embodies Buddhist virtues. Bua is a conservative Thai beauty who diligently observes time-honored Thai customs and traditions in every detail. Given Bua’s aristocratic upbringing, Bua is highly skilled in traditional Thai art and crafts such as the preparation of Thaifood and desserts, the art of making floral garlands, fruit and vegetable carving and other crafts. Bua is every bit a true Thai girl. She’s sensitive, easily frightened and cries a lot. Bua and Kulap are childhood friends and are often seen together.

Kan Yao

Kan Yao represents durian — ‘king’ of tropical fruit. Kan Yao is a young lad from Chanthaburi province. He has a robust well-built physique. Kan Yao is a good-natured, fun-loving and down to earth sort of guy. He’s a natural comedian ever ready to share light-hearted jokes with his friends and is much loved by everyone he meets. Kan Yao loves to read and has a keen interest in horticulture. He also enjoys spending time with Tha Thung, from whom he gains much knowledge about horticulture.

Mangkhut

Mangkhut represents mangosteen. ‘Queen’ of tropical fruits, mangosteen has delicate snow-white flesh that is deliciously sweet and flavorful. Mangkhut is a hot favorite with the Kan Yao lads. Self-assured and confident, Mangkhut is a true socialite. She indulges in luxury and is always ‘in trend’. Also an extrovert, Mangkhut loves to sing and model, posing for fashion photos at every opportunity. Mangkhut’s vocabulary is distinctly T-inglish.

Fak Bua

Fak Bua represents the plant watering can. A young lad who tends the gardens, Fak Bua loves gardening with his heart and soul. He waters the plants, tills the soil and looks after his precious plants with tender love and care everyday so they blossom and bloom. When friends squabble and fight and tempers flare, Fak Bua cools things down. He’s loved by all.

Chon

Chon represents the Chinese radish, native to the Asian continent. A country boy from the northern hills with a love of adventure, Chon has dreams of traveling the world so Chinese radish becomes known to the world. Chon is temperamental and short-tempered and often creates a scene. He’s really not quite with it and is frequently out of step. He sees himself as a ‘cool dude’, clever and courageous but when the going gets tough, Chon is first to flee the scene. Jon vows to play tricks on Nari but as he’s forever tripping over himself, he has yet to succeed.

Ta Thung, the scarecrow

Ta Thung is a gentle and kind old man we affectionately call ‘grandpa’ (‘khun ta’ in Thai). Ta Thung represents the scarecrow, the loyal and trusted friend of the farmershe sun and battered by the wind and rain, the scarecrow stands guard and r. Baked by temains vigilant chasing away birds that threaten to invade the rice-fields. Never short of entertaining stories to share with his young friends, Ta Thung is adored by the children. He’s also their best friend. A wise and knowledgeable man, the young ones seek his advice. He listens to them patiently and helps solve their problems. Kan Yao, the young man from Chanthaburi, frequently stops by to seek Ta Thung’s advice on matters related to agriculture… as well as affairs of the heart. Time after time, Kan Yao walks away with sound advice and is never disappointed.

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