Singapore names flower in honour of Thai junta leader
Thailand’s junta leader General Prayut Chan-ocha’s two-day official visit to Singapore ended on June 12 on a flowery note as the National Orchid Garden at the Botanic Gardens of the city state officially named an orchid hybrid “Dendrobium Prayut Naraporn Chan-ocha” in honour of the Prime Minister and his wife Naraporn.
The flower — with a traditional purple hue — sits in a varied VIP corner of the 156-year-old Singapore Botanic Gardens, surrounded by the likes of Princess Diana, Nelson Mandela and a number of other Nobel Prize laureates.
The orchid naming tradition of the island state, whose national flower is the Vanda Miss Joaquim, has persisted since 1956 with some controversy. Ceremonies held for renowned singer Elton John and Myanmar President Thein Sein have made bold headlines in past years.
Singapore’s gift to the British artist and gay rights activist raised eyebrows globally, as it contrasted with the country’s criminalisation of homosexuality. Activists have also decried the birth of the of the “Dendrobium Thein Sein” orchid due to the poor human rights record of the president’s tenure.
Former Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s name was given to a hybrid orchid “Ascocenda Yingluck Shinawatra” during the ex-premier’s introductory visit to Singapore in 2011.
Thailand's junta leader General Prayut Chan-ocha's two-day official visit to Singapore ended on June 12 on a flowery note as the National Orchid Garden at the Botanic Gardens of the city state officially named an orchid hybrid "Dendrobium Prayut Naraporn Chan-ocha" in honour of the Prime Minister and his wife Naraporn. The flower — with a traditional purple hue — sits in a varied VIP corner of the 156-year-old Singapore Botanic Gardens, surrounded by the likes of Princess Diana, Nelson Mandela and a number of other Nobel Prize laureates. The orchid naming tradition of the island state, whose national flower...
Thailand’s junta leader General Prayut Chan-ocha’s two-day official visit to Singapore ended on June 12 on a flowery note as the National Orchid Garden at the Botanic Gardens of the city state officially named an orchid hybrid “Dendrobium Prayut Naraporn Chan-ocha” in honour of the Prime Minister and his wife Naraporn.
The flower — with a traditional purple hue — sits in a varied VIP corner of the 156-year-old Singapore Botanic Gardens, surrounded by the likes of Princess Diana, Nelson Mandela and a number of other Nobel Prize laureates.
The orchid naming tradition of the island state, whose national flower is the Vanda Miss Joaquim, has persisted since 1956 with some controversy. Ceremonies held for renowned singer Elton John and Myanmar President Thein Sein have made bold headlines in past years.
Singapore’s gift to the British artist and gay rights activist raised eyebrows globally, as it contrasted with the country’s criminalisation of homosexuality. Activists have also decried the birth of the of the “Dendrobium Thein Sein” orchid due to the poor human rights record of the president’s tenure.
Former Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s name was given to a hybrid orchid “Ascocenda Yingluck Shinawatra” during the ex-premier’s introductory visit to Singapore in 2011.
