Sacred lotuses bloom in Thai park for first time in a decade After almost a decade of drought, a lake in central Thailand has erupted with pink lotuses, a flower considered sacred in Thai culture. The return of the lotuses is good news for local people, who make a living by paddling camera-toting tourists through the blooms - but national park officials say the local environment is still under threat and are asking visitors to stay away until they have carried out further studies. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES