Being an orchid enthusiast and species collector, a visit to a local orchid nursery led me to the fortuitous discovery of the Thailand December Horticultural Fair 2004, an annual event being held at the Rose Garden in Nakorn Pathom just outside of Bangkok. The weather here during the dry season is so incredibly predictable that the week-long fair – with its elaborate flowering plant displays – is set outdoors under the thick canopy of native Thai trees. This is simply unheard of in most other parts of the world, where weather is always a looming threat.

The Rose Garden is a fairly large resort that houses a five-star hotel, botanical garden, conference center, golf course (claimed to be listed on someone’s top 24 courses in the world), spa, and expansive cultural center and Thai village.

In the village visitors can wander around the premises, observing villagers as they partake in traditional handicrafts: silk-weaving, pottery, umbrella painting, mask making, and even fruit carving. Also on display are the various housing styles from north to south Thailand, with a diversity that surprised me, as I had always viewed Thailand as a pretty homogeneous culture.

Within a large indoor amphitheatre, tourists are treated to the 60-minute Thai Village Cultural Show held several times daily. This show doesn’t really intend to give the tourist an in-depth knowledge of the wide range of Thai customs and history – impossible in such a short time. Rather, it provides a reasonable cross-section of Thailand’s culture, heritage, and way of life, from demonstrations on Thai martial arts and sword fighting to a somewhat comedic enactment of Thai boxing, or muay thai; to the rituals of the traditional Thai wedding; and to the pageantry of Buat Naag, the ceremony where a young Thai is ordained into Buddhist monkhood. And of course there are numerous traditional dances representing the various Thai regions: the famous Fingernail Dance from the north, the skillful bamboo dance from the south, and the Yoey Dance from the central plains.

Immediately following the cultural show, just outside the theatre, villagers put on a short demonstration on the intelligence and usefulness of the Asian elephant – one of the most important and often revered of the domestic animals in Thai culture.

About 1 hour from downtown Bangkok, the Rose Garden can be accessed by taxi, with whom you should set up a round-trip fare (he will wait for you) of about 1,200 to 1,500 Baht. Otherwise, there are tour operators that send busloads of tourists, mostly for an afternoon tour. Perfect for first-time Thailand visitors, I highly recommend the Rose Garden Cultural Center – well worth the 380 Baht admission.

The Rose Garden is listed as a half-day tour, but it is easily combined with the floating market tour for a full day of activities. A Thai cultural show opens with a Buddhist procession -- complete with an elephant. A series of "acts" includes Thai boxing, the elegant "fingernail dance" and Thai music. While there are many different components to the show, it doesn't last so long that you end up squirming and waiting for it to end, either.

The auditorium is airy and shaded. The very best seats for photos would be up front, but if that is not your concern, I think the best seat in the house would be near the center rear entrance where the ventilation will keep you very comfortable if it happens to be a very warm day.

There is a very nice buffet lunch, but keep in mind that those ornate drinks you will be offered are NOT included in your package price (not a big deal, but something you should know.)

The elephants are a big hit and if you've always wanted your picture taken with one -- or a thick boa constrictor around your neck, for that matter -- it's easily and cheaply accomplished. Really, this is a fun day tour for people of any age, including kids.

For a fabulous overview of Thai culture, the Rose Garden Cultural Show has it all. It began with a Big Drum Duet, followed by a Buddhist Ordination Ceremony. Next came Thai Boxing, a serious bout of boxing mixed with pure comedy. Very funny & entertaining! We also delighted in the graceful Long Fingernail Dance & marveled at the theatrical display of flags from all nations. We also saw sword fighting, followed by flirtatious couples dancing between moving bamboo poles--one wrong step in either activity sure to be painful! Also included was a traditional wedding ceremony. Wedding couples are joined by a sacred white cord (also used to join mourners at funerals on the walk to the burial site). Guests filed by to pour water over the couples clasped hands to wash away impurities, reminiscent of a Native American custom I witnessed in a hogan wedding ceremony in Northern New Mexico. All in all, a well-orchestrated cultural overview. Before leaving, we couldn't resist a ride on an elephant. This one didn't attack my husband.

The Rose Garden is not a garden with roses as the name would like to suggest but a large open-air museum about one hour from Bangkok (on the road to Nakhon Pathom). Inside you can take elephant rides or have a look at the elephant show. Join the crowds in the Thai boxing arena or cultural dances. Or just have a great meal in one of the restaurants. The Rose Garden is a good place to see a lot of Thai culture if you have little time in Thailand.