The pink bulbs of Siam tulips are now in full bloom, drawing tourists to Pa Hin Ngam and Sai Thong national parks in Chaiyaphum province, as they do every rainy season.
Last week, local authorities from Chaiyaphum, along with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, launched the Dok Krachiao Blooming Festival, which will run until the end of August.
Despite its name, the Siam Tulip (Curcuma alismatifolia) is not a member of the tulip family but the ginger family, and is closely related to turmeric. The word krachiao is a general Thai term for wild species of Curcuma. The specific names for the plant in Thai are bua sawan and pathumma, because of the shape of the pinkish bracts of the Siam tulip, which resemble lotus petals.
Pa Hin Ngam and Sai Thong national parks are the best places to see the pinkish buds up close. Visitors are advised to go early in the morning, when visitors can walk along wooden boardwalks and see the Siam tulips in mist. The mist will be gone when the sunshine gets too strong.
Pa Hin Ngam National Park is located in Thep Sathit district and is well known for its fantastic rock formations and lush green forest. Sai Thong National Park is in Nong Bua Rawe district. This park is also home to species of white krachiao.
The two parks are about 60km apart. Accommodations are available at both.
Bua sawan, or pathumma. Sai Thong National Park
For more information, contact Pa Hin Ngam National Park at 044-056-141--2, Sai Thong National Park at 089-282-3437, Chaiyaphum Provincial Administrative Organisation at 044-811-376 and the Tourism Authority of Thailand local office in Nakhon Ratchasima (overseeing Chaiyaphum province) at 044-213-666 or its call centre at 1672.
