The largest retail and wholesale floral market in Bangkok, Pak Klong Talad can be visited independently or with a guide who can tell you about the flowers’ use as offerings at shrines and spirit houses. Combine a trip here with a long-tail boat cruise on the Chao Phraya River, or with a tour of Wat Arun and Wat Pho illuminated at night, sampling some street food along the way.
Unlike most attractions, the bustling flower market is best experienced at its busiest time—around midnight.
Wandering the narrow lanes of fragrant blooms is not for the faint of heart: the scent of jasmine and kaleidoscope of colors can overwhelm the senses, in the best way.
Don’t forget your camera, comfy shoes, and a bit of extra cash for any purchases.
Pak Klong Talas flower market sits on the banks of the Chao Phraya River just south of Wat Pho, near Chinatown. You can take the Chao Phraya Express Boat to Memorial Bridge (Saphan Phut), stop N6. From here it’s a 6-minute walk directly to the market located on Chakkraphet Road.
The market stays open 24 hours a day. In the late evening, new shipments of flowers arrive from the north of Thailand, and porters wheel crates of colorful wares through the stalls. This is an optimal time to visit, when fewer tourists are around and the shops are full of flowers.
Pak Klong Talad starts each day primarily as a vegetable and fruit market before giving way to flowers. Freshly cut flower bundles are often sold in packs of 50 or 100, but you can also purchase hand-strung garlands. After a look around, it’s an easy stroll to your choice of bars and cafes, many overlooking the river.
