Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome kicks off the holiday season by lighting the
15-meter-tall Christmas tree at Royal Garden Plaza.
Vimolrat Singnikorn
Pattaya Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome kicked off the
holiday season and capped the successful “Pattaya Grand Tropical Garden”
show by lighting the 15-meter-tall Christmas tree at Royal Garden Plaza.
The Eastern Association of Flowers and Nong Nooch
Tropical Garden joined the city and Royal Garden in sponsoring the
annual exotic flower show at the Beach Road shopping mall Nov. 26-29.
The exhibition featured three types of rare plants,
some valued at more than a million baht. Among the highlights were the
heaviest and largest-grain coconuts in the world and the pricey
Paphiopedilum orchid that blooms only once a year. Also featured was an
Agave teqilana “Sunrise” and an Old Man palm “hermit beard.”
The show also featured an orchid contest, with Suthep
Suksatit taking first prize with his bouquet of about 80-100 flowers.
Other contestants were also rewarded with 1,000 baht each.
Bringing the show to a close, and Pattaya’s holiday
season open, was the mayor, who lit up the tree under Royal Garden’s
wall of new year’s lights.
