The Rose Garden, Bangkok, Thailand
New Visitor Attractions in The Rose Garden have Transformed the Park
May 25, 2008
An hour's drive from Bangkok is The Rose Garden, an expanse of gardens, river and lake together with an elephant enclosure. First time visitors to the Rose Garden who may know Thailand only from Bangkok and the famous islands of Phuket, Samui and Chang, are often surprised at this aspect of Thailand’s rich heritage.
The Rose Garden has been in existence for many decades, but there is now a waterside development offering Thai shopping which is now the No.1 attraction in the Gardens. Each day local villagers come from their orchards and farms to sell their fruit, vegetables and local delicacies unobtainable elsewhere, in this typical marketplace alongside the canal. A couple of the cafés and two of the speciality gift shops are listed hereunder:
- Rim Klong Cafe selling fresh coffee and The Rose Garden's own home baked goods fresh from the bakery.
- A gift shop with original gifts and Rose Garden souveneirs.
- A Thai Deli with homemade savoury and sweet delicacies.
- An Antique Thai House, (the Ruen Fuengfa) where herbal soaps, herbal scents, organic products and virgin coconut oil are packaged and sold.
Among the many rare species of trees and flowers in the garden are centuries-old bullet trees, coconut palms and banana trees. Many of the ingredients for Thai cooking can be found here, kaffir limes and lemon grass, chillis and herbs. Those essentials in Thai cooking, coconut milk and chilli paste are freshly made daily for use in the Rose Garden restaurants and visitors can watch the process.
For those arriving from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, the tranquillity of the Rose Garden is a perfect antidote to the stress of the city. Walking in the grounds can restore a sense of serenity to the visitor who has perhaps been doing too much sight-seeing and shopping in Bangkok’s fabulous Malls and night markets.
Opportunities to watch, and participate in, displays of kick boxing, sword fighting, Thai dancing and rice planting are many and children seem to particularly enjoy the latter as well as the chance to make herbals drinks and juices. A grand firework display for which the Rose Garden has become famous climaxes the day.
Until March 2009 visitors can experience the new 3-day, 2-night Thai Wellness Package, a programme offering a balanced life in harmony with nature, which gives an insight into how Thai people lead healthy and balanced lives.
The programme includes:
- Two nights accommodation at Rose Garden Riverside with breakfast
- A rare form of Thai massage called Nuad Rajasamnak, followed by fresh herbal compresses at the Arusaya Spa. The whole treatment lasts for 110 minutes.
- Visiting the Thai Village and an opportunity to try out various arts and crafts.
- Crossing the river to visit the organic farm to pick vegetables and herbs for spa treatments.
- Thai Cooking Class with freshly picked ingredients from the organic farm, followed by dinner.
- A Herbal workshop where pupils learn about the in-house herbal products and make a traditional herbal inhaler.
Total costs approximately $340 or £170.
