Thailand has three national symbols. The Asian Elephant, the Sala Thai and the Ratchaphruek(ราชพฤกษ์) also known as the Golden Shower Tree (Cassia fistula) orIndian Laburnum.
Today’s photograph shows the Ratchaphruek in flower near my local temple here in Nong Hin Thailand. The reason the Ratchaphruek is chosen as one of the three national symbols of Thailand is because of its colour, yellow, signifying Buddhism and also being the colour related to the King of Thailand. So the tree has both religious and royal connections.
The Ratchaphruek always come into flower at the same time throughout Thailand(taken as a sign of Thai unity) and they are deciduous. Like many tropical trees the Ratchaphruek is said to have many medicinal uses including being used as a mild laxative as well as a treatment for certain heart conditions and arthritis.
Equipment: Canon EOS 1000D 55mm Lens
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