Toilet worries for organisers

Tickets for the opening of Royal Flora Ratchaphruek are sold out.

Bonjira Bhuthisiri, a public-relations officer for the horticulture exposition, said yesterday that the organiser had been afraid that the first day on Wednesday would be too crowded so it had decided to stop selling tickets for that day.

No more tickets are left for the weekend of December 9 and 10, but other days are available, she said.

More than 500,000 advance tickets have been sold, she said.

Boonlert Buranapakorn, mayor of Nakhon Chiang Mai, said he was worried about traffic jams on opening day since it coincided with the first day of the second school semester. He said he would ask schools in the municipality to close that day.

Choochoke Thongtaluang, head of provincial public-relations, said he was afraid that the 700 toilets on site might not be enough, as up to 30,000 visitors were expected per day. Pornchai Jitnawasathien, a municipal official, said the organisers shou;d let a company install more toilets and charge users. The municipality has three mobile toilets but they are all needed for public activities elsewhere, he said.

The opening of the exposition, organised to celebrate the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King's ascension to the throne, will be presided over by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. The fair will run for 92 days. - The Nation