New Dutch tulip species named after Thai king

BANGKOK, Aug 20 (TNA) – Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej has granted use of his name to be bestowed upon a new Dutch tulip variety “King Bhumibol” developed by a Dutch farmer, according to an official statement released on Thursday. Vimon Kidchob, Director-General of Foreign Affairs Ministry’s Department of Information, said in the statement that His Majesty has granted a royal permission for having the flower been named after him following a request of Klaas Koedijk, a Dutch tulip grower and an owner of FA.P. Koeddiik & Zn company, according to the Office of His Majesty’s Principal Private Secretary. The “King Bhumibol” tulip’s bloom is butterly yellow, stands 45-centimetre high and is further developed from the Prince Claus tulip named after the consort of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. The Prince Claus tulip originated from the Judith Leyster tulip, which is one of the Netherlands’ most prized tulip varieties. Mr Koedijk’s inspiration to name the new species of tulip after the Thai monarch derives from his strong impression of the Thai people’s loyalty to their beloved King Bhumibol during the 2006 celebration of the 60th anniversary of HM the King's accession to the throne, the statement said. The tulip horticulturist’s son lived in Thailand as volunteer teaching computer skills to local students in the North during 2006-2007, fell in love and then married his Thai sweetheart. (TNA) source:www.mcot.net

New furniture designs bring ‘green’ closer to home

New furniture designs bring ‘green’ closer to home

As urbanisation drives city dwellers further away from nature, urbanites might not have many choices to enjoy a ‘green’ atmosphere against the backdrop of a concrete jungle. Now, a furniture designer has come up with an innovative idea which brings nature closer to urbanites.

Greenaround is a new furniture concept created by Patchara Champangoen, whose designs serve the needs of city residents wanting to increase the green atmosphere in their home and/or office, and using less space to do so.

Patchara said he came up with the new idea when he designed buildings, offices, and houses for his customers. He found the most requested element was a ‘green corner.’ So he translated that idea into practice.

‘Initially this chair’ pad was in a rectangular shape. I looked into its structure and found there’s a big space underneath the pad to grow some plants. So I changed the pad’s shape into a circle and trees grow around the empty space.’, said Patchara.

In the process of making the furniture, Patchara said he visits many furniture factories to see what kind of products they offer. Sometimes he asks them to produce specifically-designed items. Then he puts in the final touches, equipping the plain furniture with a ‘green’ element. Small plants are recommended as they can be grown indoors and can receive their required moistness through use of a water sprayer.

Patchara said at first he aimed to sell his products to the niche market like art galleries and department stores, as well as for export. But the ‘Greenaround’ furniture has surprisingly received a warm welcome from many customers.

‘After I exhibit my products at a local furniture fair, I receive many Thai customers more than I expect. But as the plants are excluded from the furniture, they share a common concern they will not be able to grow the trees like I do.’, said Patchara.

Patchara reasons he does not include plants with the furniture because he does not want to limit customer’s choice of greenery. The beauty of tree furniture also depends on the care of its owner. Despite special design, the cost of Greenaround furniture varies from 3,000 to 17,000 Baht, prices which can be affordable compared to those a items found at furniture markets.

Source:www.mcot.net