Ratchaphruek (Golden Shower) | Thailand's National Flower That Paints Chiang Mai Yellow
Do you know Thailand's national flower? In the hottest part of the year — right around now, the April hot season, near Songkran — there is a flower that bursts into bloom all at once. It dyes the roadsides a brilliant yellow. In English it's called the "Golden Shower," and in Thai it's commonly known as "Ratchaphruek (ราชพฤกษ์)."
Its Many Names
In the Isan region it's called "Dok Khun (ดอกคูน)," and in northern Chiang Mai it's said to be called "Lom Haeng" — from *lom* (ลม, wind) and *haeng* (dry) — meaning a flower that blooms in the hot, dry season.
Named Thailand's National Flower in 2009
Ratchaphruek was designated Thailand's national flower in 2009. The word combines "Ratcha" (king) and "phruek" (petal/flower), so it means "the nation's flower."
The reasons it was chosen include:
- It is seen widely throughout Thailand
- Its radiant golden color evokes Thai Buddhism
- Yellow is the color of Monday, the day the late King Bhumibol was born
A Flower That Colors Chiang Mai's Hot Season
Right now you can spot it here and there along the roads. If you come across this flower that gilds Chiang Mai's hottest season, do take a photo.
(The second and third watercolors are works by HATAGO's owner Toshiyuki Kitayama, himself a painter, depicting ethnic-minority figures with the Ratchaphruek flower.)
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