Where to see and buy flowers in Thailand

Where to experience Thailand's flowers: the great flower markets like Pak Khlong Talat, botanical gardens and orchid farms, royal projects, temple ponds and the northern flower country.

Where the flowers are

To see Thailand's flowers at their best — and to buy them — head to its markets, gardens and flower country. A guide to the highlights.

The flower markets

• Pak Khlong Talat (Bangkok): Bangkok's legendary 24-hour flower market — a sensory overload of marigolds, roses, orchids, jasmine and garlands, at their liveliest in the pre-dawn hours when fresh flowers arrive. The must-see for any flower lover;
• Local markets everywhere: nearly every Thai market has flower sellers and garland-makers (phuang malai) — fresh, fragrant and affordable.

Gardens & orchid farms

• Nong Nooch Tropical Garden (near Pattaya): one of Asia's grand botanical gardens — vast themed gardens, orchids, and spectacular displays;
• Orchid farms (Chiang Mai, Bangkok area & beyond): nurseries where you can see the range of Thai orchids up close (orchids);
• Botanical gardens such as the Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden near Chiang Mai showcase native and tropical flora;
• Royal project gardens in the northern highlands grow temperate flowers and are gorgeous in the cool season.

Natural & sacred settings

• Temple ponds across the country for lotus and water lilies (the lotus);
• The Red Lotus Sea in Isaan for the cool-season crimson bloom (calendar);
• Chiang Mai & the north — Thailand's flower heartland, home to the famous Flower Festival and highland blooms;
• Roadsides, parks and gardens everywhere — in Thailand, you're never far from a flower.