Pak Khlong Talat by night

What it is

Pak Khlong Talat, near the Memorial Bridge in old Bangkok, is the city's main flower market. It never fully closes, but the big deliveries arrive in the evening and the trade peaks late at night and before dawn. You see sacks of marigold heads, jasmine buds packed in ice, roses wrapped in newspaper, lotus buds in tight bunches and orchids by the hundred stems. At small tables women thread jasmine, crown flowers and rosebuds into phuang malai, the garlands Thais offer at shrines and hang on car mirrors. Others fold lotus petals back into neat points for temple offerings.

Before you go

• Come after dark or very early in the morning for the main trade.
• Stop and watch the garland makers at work. Buy one to show thanks.
• The pavements are narrow and busy with trolleys. Keep to one side.

The flowers you will see

Arabian jasmineA small white jasmine with a strong, sweet scent, treasured in Asia for garlands and ceremoniesAztec marigoldThe golden-yellow flower of Mexican altars and Day of the Dead offeringsSacred lotusThe pink aquatic flower sacred in Asia and grown for food, worship and beautyDendrobiumA vast genus of orchids found from the Himalayas to Australia and the PacificCrown flowerA tall shrub with waxy white or lavender flowers and milky sapRoseWoody perennial plants with showy, often fragrant flowers in many colours

More in Bangkok

🇹🇭 Bangkok · All yearThread a phuang malai garlandA short class in the Thai craft of threading jasmine and other flowers into offering garlands. 🇹🇭 Chiang Mai · Jan to DecMon Cham in the cool seasonA ridge-top viewpoint in Mae Rim with terraced vegetable and flower plots and cool mountain air. 🇹🇭 Chiang Mai · Jan to DecWild Himalayan cherry on Doi InthanonPink cherry trees and royal flower gardens on Thailand's highest mountain. 🇹🇭 Pattaya · All yearNong Nooch Tropical GardenA very large private botanical garden near Pattaya, known for palms, cycads and orchids. 🇹🇭 Chaiyaphum · Jun to AugSiam tulip fields of ChaiyaphumIn the early rains, pink wild flowers called krachiao cover forest clearings in north-east Thailand. 🇹🇭 Udon Thani · Jan to DecRed lotus lake of KumphawapiA shallow lake in north-east Thailand that is covered in pink water lilies on cool-season mornings.