Royal Park RajapruekThe park was laid out for Royal Flora Ratchaphruek, an international horticultural exposition held from November 2006 to January 2007 in honour of King Bhumibol, and it hosted a second Royal Flora expo in 2011 and 2012. Its name comes from the ratchaphruek, the golden shower tree (Cassia fistula), whose yellow blossoms are Thailand’s national flower.
The grounds cover about 80 hectares of a royal agricultural research centre at Mae Hia, right beside the Chiang Mai Night Safari. The centrepiece is Ho Kham Luang, a tiered Lanna-style royal pavilion with gilded rooflines, set at the end of a long formal axis of lawns and pools and built to showcase the king’s development work. Around it lie themed gardens, many of them created by other countries for the expo, a large tropical garden of orchids, bromeliads and fruit trees, and displays of crops from the royal agricultural projects in the northern hills.
Exploring Royal Park Rajapruek#
The park is big, and most visitors ride the open-air tram that circles the grounds, hopping off at the royal pavilion and whichever gardens appeal; on foot, allow at least half a day. Paths are mostly paved but shade is limited away from the main gardens, so the best times are early morning and late afternoon. December to February, when the flower beds are fullest and the air is cool, is the best season; from February to April the views are often hazy with smoke from crop burning.
The park is popular with Thai families and photographers, and it pairs easily with the Night Safari next door or with Doi Suthep on the mountain above.
Nearby Attractions to Royal Park Rajapruek#
Weather & Climate near Royal Park Rajapruek#
Royal Park Rajapruek's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with hot summers (peaking in April) and warm winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 13°C to 36°C. Abundant rainfall (1021 mm/year), wettest in August with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Ideal | 13° - 28° | 21° | 3 mm | mostly sunny | 65% | 0.6 m/s | 1.4 high | 11.0h |
| February | Ideal | 15° - 32° | 23° | 6 mm | mostly sunny | 54% | 0.8 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.4h |
| March | Excellent | 19° - 35° | 27° | 21 mm | mostly sunny | 49% | 1.1 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.9h |
| April | Very Good | 22° - 36° | 30° | 49 mm | some cloud | 53% | 1.2 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.4h |
| May | Acceptable | 23° - 34° | 32° | 156 mm | overcast | 73% | 1.2 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.9h |
| June | Good | 23° - 32° | 31° | 114 mm | overcast | 79% | 1.1 m/s | 1.9 very high | 13.1h |
| July | Acceptable | 23° - 31° | 30° | 140 mm | overcast | 81% | 1.1 m/s | 1.9 very high | 13.0h |
| August | Acceptable | 23° - 31° | 27° | 190 mm | overcast | 85% | 1.1 m/s | 1.8 very high | 12.6h |
| September | Acceptable | 23° - 31° | 27° | 180 mm | overcast | 87% | 0.8 m/s | 1.8 very high | 12.1h |
| October | Very Good | 21° - 30° | 26° | 107 mm | overcast | 85% | 0.7 m/s | 1.6 very high | 11.6h |
| November | Excellent | 18° - 29° | 24° | 45 mm | some cloud | 80% | 0.8 m/s | 1.5 very high | 11.2h |
| December | Ideal | 15° - 27° | 21° | 10 mm | mostly sunny | 73% | 0.7 m/s | 1.4 high | 10.9h |
How to Get to Royal Park Rajapruek#
The park is about 10 km south-west of the Old City at Mae Hia, next to the Night Safari. There is no regular public transport, so come by Grab, taxi, chartered songthaew or rented scooter; there is parking at the entrance.