CHON BURI - Thousands of marigolds are now in full bloom in Pattaya, with all streets and landmark venues decorated with the bright yellow flowers in tribute to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Pattaya has joined other areas in the country in planting marigolds for use during royal cremation ceremonies from Oct 25-29.
Pol Maj Gen Anan Charoenchaisri, mayor of Pattaya municipality, earlier assigned the environmental office to sow marigold seeds in preparation for the historic event. Now, they have started blooming and the flowers are being used to decorate all corners of the beach town.
A senior official at the environmental office said the municipality approved a 600,000 baht budget to grow 50,000 marigold plants. Of these, 30,000 were purchased as seedlings and planted, and the remaining 20,000 grown from seeds.
More than 20,000 of the cheerfully coloured flowers are being used for the decoration of landmark areas and major streets across the town - such as Pattaya Nua Road, Dolphin (or Loma) Circle, the municipal hall, Sukhumvit Road in Pattaya Tai area and Lan Pho-Na Klua public park.
The remaining yellow marigolds will be used to decorate Wat Chai Mongkhol, a royal temple in Pattaya, during the actual royal cremation on Oct 26. Yellow is the colour associated with the late King, because he was born on a Monday.
