Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden
Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden (QSBG) is a botanical garden in Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. It was opened in 1993[1] and is maintained under the auspices of the Botanical Garden Organization (BGO) of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.[2] Originally called the Mae Sa Botanic Garden, it was renamed for Sirikit, Queen of Thailand, in 1994.[2]
The 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres) site is home to twelve greenhouses,[3] placing the establishment among Thailand's largest glasshouse complexes. QSBG spreads over a vast area, from a hilly region near to the river Mae Sai (at an elevation of approx. 500 m (1,600 ft)) to the site's highest point, at 1,200 m (4,000 ft). Evergreen and dipterocarp trees occupy lower elevations, while pine forest is found in higher areas.[4] QSBG displays plants and flowers year round. It was Thailand's first botanical garden built according to international standards.[1] It focuses on strengthening ex situ conservation of valuable Thai flora. The breeding programs for native Thai orchids are some of QSBG's most prominent efforts.[5]
Affiliate gardens
In addition to QSBG, the BGO manages four other botanical gardens[6] in Thailand: Romklao Botanical Garden (Phitsanulok Province), Rayong Botanic Garden (Rayong Province), Khon Kaen Botanical Garden (Khon Kaen Province) and Phra Mae Ya Botanic Garden (Sukhothai Province).
References
- Saengmanee, Pattarawadee (2018-05-09). "Magnificent mountains, verdant valleys". The Nation. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
- "About". Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden (QSBG). The Botanical Garden Organization (BGO). Retrieved 2 November 2018.
- "Glasshouse Complex". Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden (QSBG). The Botanical Garden Organization (BGO). Retrieved 15 May 2018.
- "The Gardens". Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden (QSBG). The Botanical Garden Organization (BGO). Retrieved 14 September 2022.
- Nanakorn, W.; Indharamusika, S. "Ex-situ Conservation of Native Thai Orchids at Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden" (PDF). Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. Archived from the original (Invited lecture presented at the International Conference on Biodiversity and Bioresources: Conservation and Utilization, 23–27 November 1997, Phuket, Thailand) on 22 July 2021. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
- "QSBG-Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden: Affiliate Gardens". QSBG-Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden official site, QSBG.org. Retrieved 3 December 2022.