His Majesty the King has allowed a Dutch farmer to use his name, "King Bhumibol", for a new tulip species.

 

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Wimol Kidchob said the Office of His Majesty's Principal Private Secretary informed the ministry the King had allowed Klaas Koedijk, a Dutch farmer and owner of FA.P. Koeddiik & Zn company, to use his name for the tulip.

Mr Koedijk had asked for His Majesty's permission to name the tulip after him because of the impression he was left with from the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of His Majesty's accession to the throne in 2006, when the Thai people united to show their loyalty.

Mr Koedijk also feels close to Thailand as his son, a former volunteer computer teacher in the North, married a Thai.

The yellow tulip, which measures 45cm, has been developed from the Prince Claus tulip which has its origins in the Judith Leyster tulip.

Judith Leyster is one of the Netherlands' best tulips. Prince Claus, husband of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, was responsible for naming the tulip.

Writer: THANIDA TANSUBHAPOL : http://www.bangkokpost.com