Floral bliss in Bangkok, Wang Burapha Phirom

If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I couldn’t have even dreamed of the kalidiscope of color and the intoxicating fragrances I encountered one morning in Bangkok at the incredible Pak Khlong Talat {flower market}.

There were rows and rows of these hanging marigold garlands, called Malai Song Chai which are traditionally used to drape around the necks of brides and grooms for weddings. I bought one and brought it home and it was so amazing to wear… so luxuriously thick, with delicate petals tickling my neck and that fabulous marigold scent.

marigold garlands, flower market, bangkok, Wang Burapha Phirom
Malai Song Chai, marigold garlands are traditionally used to drape ouraaround the necks of brides and grooms for weddings.

Pak Khlong Talat is the largest wholesale and retail flower market in Bangkok, it is open 24 hours a day and it receives floral goods from every growing region in the country.

Marigold garlands, Malai Song Chai, bangkokflower market, Wang Burapha Phirom
Malai Chamruai are used as souvenir, small gifts to a group, similar to a lei in Hawaii.

Bags, bushels and enormous baskets of loose flowers come to this market from all of the growing regions many come by boat, since the market is situated near the Chao Phraya River.

Giant basket, flower market Bangkok, Pak Khlong Talat

Retail and Wholesale customers can buy bulk flowers or traditional Thai Malai’s and other pieces created by local artisans in the market stalls that are used as offerings, almsgivings, loving gifts or held onto for good luck charms.

bangkok flower market, flower art, malai chai diao
Malai Chai Diaos can be found hanging from the hands of buddhist monk statues or as good luck bracelets.
Malai chai diao, jasmine, roses, marigolds, bangkok flower market
Malai Chai Diao are used to show respect in temples, these are expertly crafted on site with marigolds, jasmine blossoms and roses.
Marigold garland, Malai, Malai chumrui, bangkok flower market, Wang Burapha Phirom
Marigold magnificence! The white beads are used as connectors in the Malai arrangements.

Thailand is the top exporter of orchids around the world. Here’s one of the giant baskets used to transport the flowers from the fields to the vendor stands.

orchids, purple orchids, bangkok flower market, Pak Khlong Talat
Cut purple orchids from the fields of Thailand.
bags of marigolds, bangkok flower market, Pak Khlong Talat
Have you ever seen so many marigolds?
white flower buds, jasmine or citrus, Pak Khlong Talat, bangkok flower market
Jasmine blossoms for creating Malai’s and other floral crafts.
Jasmine blossoms in bulk, Bangkok flower market, Pak Khlong Talat
Bins of Jasmine blossoms threaded and ready to be combined with other flowers.
bags of flowers, roses, marigolds, jasmine blossoms, bangkok flower market Pak Khlong Talat
Bags of the white beads, pink and yellow petals.
Orchids
Malai chai diao, orchids, marigolds, roses, jasmine blossoms
Malai Chai Diao
bangkok flower market, Malai Chai diao, offerings, banana leaf basket
Offerings in baskets made of banana leaves are left at shrines, temples and statues.
dozens and dozens of red roses, bangkok flower market, pak khlong talat
Dozens and dozens of pink roses!
racks of marigolds, bangkok flower market, Pak Khlong Talat
Evan more yellow marigolds in abundance. Yellow is a symbol of wealth and prosperity.
Pak Khlong Talat, Bangkok market, Malai Chai Diao, Phuang Malai
giant basket with pink swatch, bangkok flower market, Pak Khlong Talat
Bangkok flower market, Phuang Malai, Pak Khlong Talat
Malai Chai Diao
Bangkok flower market, Pak Khlong Talat, Malai Chai Diao, Phuang Malai, orchid, purple orchids, pink roses, roses
purple orchid leaves, jasmine blossoms and rose Malai Chai Diao
jasmine blossoms, bags of jasmine blossoms, bangkok flower market, Pak Khlong Talat
I wish you could smell these jasmine blossoms.
Gardinas, Bangkok flower market, Pak Khlong Talat
Fresh, flowered gardenia branches.

If you make it to Bangkok, I would definitely recommend visiting this market. Most commercial traffic happens in the wee hours of the morning {2 – 5 am!!} I went around 9:00 am when it had calmed down a bit.

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