In 2006 the Royal Thai Government, through the Department of Agriculture, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives organized the International Horticultural Exposition at the Royal Agricultural Research Centre, Chiang Mai, for His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand in celebration of the 60th Anniversary of His Majesty’s Accession to the Throne and His 80th Birthday Anniversary.
The exposition was extremely successful. There were a total of more than 3 million visitors including foreigners visited the Exposition.
In 2008, the Cabinet, in order to extend the success of the exposition and to make use of the International Horticultural Exposition area for maximum benefit, has authorized the Highland Research and Development Institute (Public Organization) to manage the area since December 11, 2009 as a learning centre for botanical agriculture and the site for agro-tourism and culture at the international level of Thailand.
Subsequently, His Majesty the King has graciously given the name of this area as “The Royal Park Rajapruek” since January 23, 2010.