Sangworn Santisook, president of the THA for the northern region, said hotels located in the central part of town and near Chiang Mai University, the areas closest to the horticultural fair, had been fully booked.

"Apart from the expo, the coming Loy Krathong festival, which is scheduled to be held on November 5, will also attract visitors," said Sangworn.

The THA's northern region covers 44 hotels, mostly in Chiang Mai. The association reported that on average, their hotels were already 70 per cent booked for the next three months.

Anake Srichevachart, president of the Thai Travel Agents' Association, said that while the flora expo was not expected to attract many international tourists, it should draw masses of Thai visitors.

The expo, which opens today and runs to next January 31, is expected to attract more than 2 million visitors, with an average of 20,000 visitors each day. More than 500,000 tickets have been sold so far, and another 2.5 million remain on sale at all Central Department Stores, Siam Paragon, Transport Co, Krung Thai Bank, the Agriculture Ministry and the expo itself.

The expo is the first of its kind for both Thailand and Southeast Asia. It will seek to highlight Thailand's charm as a tropical country, with some of the greatest plant biodiversity in the region. Featured will be 2.5 million plants covering more than 2,200 species.

Organised under the framework of the International Association of Horticultural Producers and the Bureau of International Exhibitions, the Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006 will include exhibitions from more than 30 nations from five continents in its International Garden zone.

The International Garden section covers 21,000 square metres.

Suchat Sritama

The Nation