Visitors seeking a truly fragrant, multi-colored, and even romantic side of Bangkok should visit the renowned flower market in Bangkok. Thailand’s largest wholesale flower market, Bangkok Flower Market (Pak Khlong Talat in Thai), is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Pak Khlong Talat is now regarded as one of the world’s largest flower markets.
Pak Khlong Talat, while it may not be a traditional tourist attraction, it can appeal tourists seeking Bangkok experiences that expose them to the city’s local life. Many first-time tourists can get lost in the vibrant sights and seductive smells of this sprawling market decorated with endless rows of roses, orchids, carnations, and miles of marigolds. The whole market has a chaotic feel close to nearby Chinatown.
Flower market Bangkok – historical origin
Pak Khlong Talat as it is locally known means “market at the mouth of the canal”. The area originally started as a floating market in the early 18th century (during the reign of King Rama I). Later, in the 19th century, the area became a large fish market. In the 1950s, when local authorities grew tired of the market’s fish smell permeating central Bangkok, flower and produce vendors could occupy the area, which eventually developed into the current Bangkok Flower Market.
A huge hustling and bustling industry that is busy regardless of the time you visit, the Bangkok flower market is great to simply browse and people watch or can be a wonderfully inexpensive way to purchase a bunch of some of the freshest flowers available for sale. The sight of mopeds with enormous oversized clumps of flowers is not unusual, and the street of flower vendors are more than happy to do a deal with you. Certainly, you will be forgiven for not being able to name the many species and varieties of flowers sold here.
The market is often overlooked by mass tourists; nevertheless it has an important historical relevance. During the Ayutthaya period (roughly from 1290 up to 1769), it was a big community area. Evidences found in buildings and temples show that it was a big trading spot. Later in the Thonburi era it became a logistic hub for people traveling on the waterways. In the Rattanakosin period (Current Royal dynasty ruling Thailand), the place was first a fish market and later on it become a place for trading agricultural products such as vegetables, fruits and especially fresh flowers.
The market allows its visitor to take a peek of what is the traditional lifestyle of Bangkok and it also allows its guests to indulge as they admire bouquets of orchids, roses, daisies, carnations and many others. The place is conveniently located in Bangkok’s old town a few steps away from famous Wat Pho, therefore it’s really worthwhile to make a detour and step inside this enchanting market where guests can pick up floral related items, souvenirs and popular flowers sold in packs of 50 to 100 for a few baht.
Among the beautiful attractions in the surroundings we must cite: The Memorial Bridge realized in 1929 by Italian engineers which is an example of Classical style to be found in Bangkok. It’s extremely beautiful if you want to get a picture while the sun goes down behind the famous Wat Arun.
Not far from the main Bangkok flower market there is Yodpiman a community mall along the Chao Phraya River. It has beautiful scenery and it is the right place to have a romantic dinner by the river.
Flower Market Bangkok – What you will see
- Jasmine, chrysanthemum, gerbera, orchids, lilies, roses, and other Thai flowers. The majority of the flowers are cultivated in Bangkok’s neighboring provinces, such as Nakhon Pathom, tulips are shipped from northern Thai provinces such as Chiang Rai and Loei.
- Tulips, snapdragons, iris, lisianthus, delphinium, and other imported flowers
- Phuang Malai – an ancient Thai art that involves threading a needle repeatedly through tiny buds until something worthy of being offered to a god is formed. The Phuang Malai garlands are created by skilled Thai artisans and displayed for all to see, making it one of the best places to see this fascinating type of flower creation in Thailand.
- Baisri – chrysanthemum and other buds added to rolled-up banana and pandan leaves to form cone-shaped flower offerings. Baisri’s is supposed to resemble Mount Meru, Hinduism’s cosmological centre of Universe.
- Fresh fruits and vegetables – Pak Khlong Talat isn’t just about flowers, you may find all sorts of delicious exotic fruits.
- Floral arrangement products – incense, candles, fake flowers, and more – can be found in Bangkok flower market.
Flowers Meaning in Thai Culture
Flowers have great significance in Thailand, often given as offerings and loving gifts as well as being used as lucky charms and decoration. Flower garlands are very common at Bangkok flower market; you’ll spot them in temples, hanging from taxi rear-view mirrors, at shrines, at weddings, and used in a wide array of situations. Cars pull up at roadside sellers to purchase a fresh garland to hang in their vehicle to please Mae Yanang (the goddess of journeys) for luck and protection on Thailand’s chaotic roads. Floral arrangements, from the simple to the elaborate, are common in hotels and restaurants.
Flower Market Bangkok – What to do
Museum Siam
Museum Siam, one of Bangkok’s most innovative museums, is only a few minutes’ walk from Bangkok flower market. This immersive, hands-on museum was created with kids in mind, making it ideal for a family trip. The museum focuses on the idea of “Thainess” and what it means to be Thai, and it takes visitors on a journey through Thai culture, covering everything from the country’s religious influences to its origins.
Take a tour with us
In this experience you will have a chance to stroll around one of the biggest flower markets in Thailand; enjoy watching beautiful Orchids, marigolds and lots of other flowers. Then we will hop on a Tuk Tuk (Traditional Thai mean of transportation), and head for a dinner in a typical eatery in Bangkok’s Old Town.
The place has been cooking the same recipes for over half a century and it is a must for every Bangkokian! After dinner we’ll stop by for a little Thai dessert in one of the most antique shops near Sao Ching Cha. The tour end up having a glimpse to Bangkok famous Khao San Road.
Eat and drink at Flower Market in Bangkok
There are plenty of places to eat tasty, authentic, and inexpensive Thai street food inside Pak Khlong Talat flower market. Casual food courts serve a variety of dishes on the ground floor and upper level of the market and there are also stalls dotted throughout the market and on the streets outside. Aside from that, there are a couple of our other favourite places to eat and drink in Pak Khlong Talat’s vicinity.
Floral Café Napasorn
On the ground floor, this charming shophouse is a high-end florist, but upstairs, you’ll find a cute-as-it can-be coffee shop that makes losing a few hours here almost irresistible. The floral theme is carried out in the café, with fresh and dried flowers draped over nearly every surface for a fabulously bright and fragrant show. Aside from the regular coffees, there’s also a range of iced teas infused with flowers and fruits that are inspired by Pak Khlong Talat’s popular produce.
River Walk at Yodpiman
The colonial-style heritage-themed open-air community mall at Yodpiman River Walk is lined with great places to eat and drink alongside the Chaophraya river. Mango Tree, for example, is ideal for an evening drink or a Thai fusion-style evening meal. Try the somtum tart giant papaya salad served on a big tray, as well as the flaming chicken, at Larb Roi for food from northeastern Thailand. On the ground floor of Yodpiman River Walk, two casual restaurants serve fast and simple Thai noodle dishes, while Duo Cucina serves Italian cuisine.
When to visit flower market Bangkok?
One of the busiest times to visit is between two and three in the morning as this is when the markets receive their freshest deliveries of flowers. You can also purchase fruit and vegetables here as well as herbs and spices. One of the best times to go the Bangkok Flower Market is in the cool of the evening. Because of the often humid and dense climate of Thailand, visiting the market place in the evening can be a better way to choose any blooms you wish to purchase. Fluorescent lighting will provide a well-lit path for you to go from vendor to vendor and strike up a deal for your favorite flower bunch.
Renowned as one of the most voted flower markets in the world, Bangkok Flower Market is certainly a destination that must be seen on your travels to Thailand and if you feel you want to have experts guides taking you around and explaining you all the hidden places check our experience!
How to get to Pak Khlong Talat flower market in Bangkok
Since it is located on the river, the most convenient way to get to Bangkok flower market is to take the Chaophraya Express river boat to either the Yodpiman River Walk or Rajinee piers; both the blue-flag and orange-flag local boats stop here.
