"The contest is part of the Bureau of International Exhibition's [BIE] requirements. Any A1-class exhibition is obliged to organise a contest during the period," said Adisak Srisankij, director-general of the Agriculture Ministry's Agriculture Department.

The overall budget to support the contest is Bt23 million.

The contest will be divided into 12 categories and include 535 species entries.

Three universities - Mae Jo University; Chiang Mai University; and King Mongkut's Institute of Technology, Ladkrabang - along with the Ornamental Plants Association of Thailand, will be responsible for different categories of the contest.

Mae Jo University will hold the competition for potted plants and gardens, which is scheduled for January 20-31, 2007.

Chiang Mai University will handle the cut flowers, potted flowers and garden contest, scheduled for November 1-12, 2006.

King Mongkut's Institute is in charge of the aquatic plant competition to be held from November 17-27, 2006.

An orchid contest will be co-organised by relevant parties and will be held every week during the exhibition period.

"The judges consist of three groups including class jury, group jury and grand jury. The class jury will judge the first, second and third prize in each category while the group jury will select the outstanding team.

"The grand jury, which will consist of six foreign and five Thai judges, will select the best indoor and outdoor international gardens," said the director-general.

Applications can be made by contacting the relevant universities and associations depending on the type of plants and flora. For information visit www.royalfloraexpo.com or call (02) 686 7252.

Citylife

Chiang Mai