Chaiyaphum - The Siam Tulip Festival

JUNE 1 - AUGUST 31, 2010
BLOOMING KRACHIAO FLOWER FESTIVAL
The Siam Tulip Festival of Chaiyaphum
Pa Hin Ngam National Park
Ban Rai district and Thep Sathit sub-district, Chaiyaphum province


The unique geographical landscape of Chaiyaphum Province in the northeast of Thailand gives rise to a range of natural attractions of exceptional beauty.

Of these, the fields of pinkish-purple Siam Tulip, or "Dok Krachiao", come in to full bloom in the early part of the rainy season from June to August.
Also commonly called 'patumma', 'bua sawan' (heaven lotus), or 'bua bok' (the land lotus), the Siam Tulip is a member of the ginger genera — Curcuma or Zingiberaceae.


Contact information:
Tourism Authority of Thailand, Nakhon Ratchasima office
Tel: 0 4421 3030 , 0 4421 3666
Fax: 0 4421 3667

Thanks DD, i'm returning to Chaiyaphum from the UK tomorrow so may take a peek on my journey back.

Tulips,, thought they were a dutch flower .

So did I, thought it would be too hot in Thailand for tulips.

The Siam Tulip or Summer Tulip (Curcuma alismatifolia) (Thai: ปทุมา, pathuma, or ดอกกระเจียว, dok krajiao) is a tropical plant native to northern Thailand and Cambodia. Despite its name, it is not related to the tulip, but to the various ginger species such as turmeric. It can grow as an indoor plant, and is also sold as cut flowers.
One of the most famous wild fields of Siam Tulips is in the Pa Hin Ngam National Park in the Chaiyaphum province of Thailand.

Bugger, went there a couple of years ago with some friends. Yes, nice place with great views (massive drop with no barriers). Huge stones. Took a few photo's whilst i was there so i'll try to pass them on. :)

I thought this thread needed some pictures of this years festival. Lets start with the flowers -

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...3/P1000196.JPG

Fields of wild Siam Tulips. No gardeners here, just nature.
https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...3/P1000197.JPG

More flowers
https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...3/P1000192.JPG
https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...3/IMG_7459.JPG

A view west from the lookout at the top of the national park.
There were large Song Taow's (Trucks with seats in the back) which you could buy a return ticket to get you up to the lookout and back down.
It's a fair distance up hill so it was well worth it. On normal days you can just drive your car all the way to the top.
https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...3/P1000140.JPG
https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...3/P1000162.JPG
https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...3/P1000150.JPG

Being a festival you need some shops with the local products. I brought quite a few different types of Issan sausages and some beer to wash it down.
There was plenty of touristy items such as hats, clothes, carvings, honey, fruit wine etc if you are that way inclined.
https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...3/P1000128.JPG
https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...3/P1000129.JPG
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Here is where the National Park robs the foreigners of their hard earned cash.
A good tip is to keep the entry ticket and go visit another National Park nearby. They often let you use the same ticket.
https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...3/P1000132.JPG

The National Park is also known for some wierd rock formations
https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...3/P1000204.JPG
https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...3/P1000207.JPG
https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...3/P1000225.JPG

If you want to find out where the Pa Hin Ngam National Park is, you can find it here - Pa Hin Ngam National Park - Google Maps Link

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/displayi...196&fullsize=1

Nice pic's mate, but they wouldn't be robbing me. If they tried to double charge me I would turn on my heels and be gone, on principle.

Nice with pics.
True, not much to do with true Tulips - but nice in their own way