Adisak Srisanpakij said the reorganising and clearing up of the 470-rai site in Mae Hia district, Chiang Mai, could not be finished on time.

He is afraid that, if opened during the holidays, it would create a "negative image" of a site that had impressed a million tourists during the three-month-long exhibition.

However, Adisak said people would be allowed onto Ratchaphruek Hill, located near the main entrance, so they can enjoy a bird's-eye view of the area.

Adisak added that he had recently asked the government to allocate about Bt40 million of the Bt130 million in profit generated from the exhibition to "reorganise" the site. His department was the main organiser of the event. He expects the Cabinet will approve the budget allocation on Tuesday.

After the international horticulture expo ended on January 31, exhibition buildings were removed but the plants and trees remain.

Adisak promised that the entire site would be ready before May 5, the day His Majesty the King acceded to the throne 61 years ago.

The public will be allowed free entry to the entire site that day, he said.