A year in Europe followed by a move to Bangkok

A Visit to Bangkok's Largest Flower Market - Pak Khlong Talat


Four dozen roses for $1.50?!?  Yes!  Doesn't that make you rethink all of your past flower purchases? However, the catch is that you have to first get yourself to Bangkok, and then make the trek to the Pak Khlong Talat flower market.


After some bad experiences with taxis, we decided to use public transportation to get there, which was an adventure in itself.  This involved a Skytrain trip to the Saphan Taksin station, and then a ride down the Chao Phraya river on the city run Chao Phraya express boat.

The river has lots of commercial traffic and is filled with boats and barges.  The boat system was a bit chaotic, but it turned out to be an efficient and fun way to travel.  I especially liked the rules (below).


The boat was crowded and HOT, but also a fun way to see Bangkok from a different view.



The flower market lines the streets for multiple blocks.  We visited in the late afternoon on a Sunday, and there were barely any other customers.  However, this is a 24 hour market, and the peak time is 3 to 4 in the morning when the deliveries come in and the various vendors and shops throughout the city pick up their daily inventories.



In addition to the huge variety of cut flowers, the market also had many stands selling what looked like leis.  I have seen these hanging in taxis and also placed on shrines throughout Bangkok.


They are made of jasmine and roses and smell incredible.  I purchased the larger one for the equivalent of 60 cents.  After I got home, I was admiring it and noticed the flowers were swarming with tiny crawling bugs. Yikes!!






Yellow chrysanthemums were everywhere.  These flowers are also placed at shrines around Bangkok.





There was a huge wholesale produce market in an open warehouse adjacent to the flower markets filled with gigantic, overflowing baskets of fruits and vegetables.  I imagine this is where restaurants across Bangkok purchase their daily produce.  



The street outside was lined with stand after stand selling beautiful tropical fruit.


Below is the rambutan fruit - I didn't know these existed before arriving in Bangkok.  If you cut one in half, there is a grape like fruit on the inside.  They are pretty tasty.




Browsing the colorful and exotic flowers and fruit was a great way to spend the afternoon.  A visit to this bustling area offers an interesting behind the scenes glimpse into the inner workings of Bangkok.  And, it may be worth the trip alone to witness in person the place where you could spend $15 and come home with 40 dozen roses.






9 comments:

  1. What an amazing place! I've heard about it, but I yet have to visit it myself. Going to Bangkok later this year, and I'll definitely check it out this time. Usually, I buy orchids in the airport and bring them back home. They'll last for weeks. I like rambutan too. They sell them in Dubai, but they're not as sweet as the one in Thailand. You're so lucky having all this on your doorstep:)

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    1. Thanks - I imagine Dubai has some interesting markets as well! It is fun to try all of the different types of fruit they have here in Bangkok - a lot of which I have never even heard of! I will have to buy some orchids - I had no idea they lasted so long.

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  2. now you're making me miss thailand kimberly... hahahha i've heard so much about this flower market but haven't been there yet. and woo, knowing how cheap it is now you can't really get yourself to buy it from the stalls like the one near villa market, no? totally overpriced! hope you and your family have been well, i miss you! xx

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    1. HI Annie! Yes, I now have a whole new perspective on buying flowers in Bangkok! You should visit sometime. It was especially nice because it wasn't too crowded. We are doing well here - miss you too! :)

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  3. Replies
    1. Yes! The vibrant colors were so pretty.

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  4. Wow I've always wanted to go there but hopefully I'll make it next time. Looks so amazing and the smell must be good ;)

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    1. You should visit - it is a really fun place to explore!

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