Bandit Siritanyong, vice
president of the Thai-Chinese Culture and Economy Association, presides
over a preparation meeting for the 2014 World Plant Festival in Qingdao,
China.
Vittaya Yoondorn
Pattaya this month will start laying roots on an acre of Chinese
hillside to prepare for next year’s World Plant Expo.
Bandit Siritanyong, who represents Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome in the
Thai-Chinese Cultural and Economic Association, said the 40 countries
participating in the World Plant Expo in Qingdao will begin seeding
flowers and plants by month’s end in order to be ready for next year’s
summer show.
Chinese officials have allocated Pattaya a 1-acre plot and 7.5 million
baht to support the exhibit by Nong Nooch Tropical Garden. The city has
already provided specifications on the building model, construction,
layout and materials to be used in its exhibit, which will be
constructed the by Chinese starting in April.
In addition, Nong Nooch executives are preparing a
list of the plants and flowers they wish to display. However, Chinese
officials want seeds, saplings and plants to be purchased in China, when
possible.
The World Plant Expo will run from April 25 to October 31, 2014, on
1,600 acres in a hilly section of Qingdao. The 20 billion baht event is
expected to draw 40 participating countries and 15 million Chinese and
foreign attendees. Pattaya officials believe Nong Nooch’s showing will
be so impressive, as many 150,000 or more Chinese could be motivated to
visit the city.
