Where do you buy flowers in Bangkok? The answer most people in the city would give is Pak Khlong Talat, Bangkok's main flower market, on Chak Phet Road in the Phra Nakhon district, close to Memorial Bridge and the Chao Phraya River. It sells cut flowers, garlands and loose blossoms to florists, temple-goers and anyone else, in bulk or by the bunch, and it is open 24 hours a day.
For potted plants and garden flowers, the plant sections of the Chatuchak Weekend Market are the other big option. Here is how both work, and when to go.
Pak Khlong Talat: Bangkok's flower market
The name means "the market at the mouth of the canal": the market sits where the old city moat, Khlong Khu Mueang Doem, meets the Chao Phraya. The site has changed use several times. Under King Rama I it was a floating market, by the reign of Rama V it was a fish market, and later it became a produce market, which has shifted steadily toward flowers as vegetable wholesaling moved elsewhere.
Most of the flowers arrive from provinces close to Bangkok, such as Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon and Samut Songkhram, while those that need cooler growing conditions can come from as far north as Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. The market spreads along Chak Phet Road and the side streets around it, with shop-houses and market halls rather than a single building.
What you can buy
- Cut flowers of many kinds, sold by the bunch or in bulk. Florists buy here for their own shops, so quantities can be large.
- Loose blossoms: sacks of jasmine and marigold, which are strung into garlands.
- Phuang malai: the Thai flower garlands you see hung on car mirrors, spirit houses and shrines such as the Erawan Shrine.
- Fruit and vegetables: the market still has produce stalls alongside the flowers.
When to go
Although the market never closes, it is busiest before dawn, when boats and trucks arrive with the day's flowers and florists come to stock up. That is the time to see the market at full scale. Later in the day it is calmer and easier to browse, which suits visitors who simply want to buy a bouquet or some garlands. Our guide to things to do in Bangkok in the morning has more early-start ideas.
Yodpiman River Walk
Directly behind the market, Yodpiman River Walk is a three-story, colonial-style riverside building, a former warehouse and port that has been part of the flower market since 1961 and was redeveloped in 2016. It now holds restaurants, cafes, shops and a terrace on the Chao Phraya, with views across to the Thonburi bank as far as the prang of Wat Arun. It is a comfortable place to pause after walking the market.
Getting there
- MRT: Sanam Chai station on the Blue Line is the closest rail stop.
- River boat: the Chao Phraya Express Boat stops at three piers nearby, Memorial Bridge (N6), Yodpiman (N6/1) and Rajini (N7). The boat also links the market with Tha Tien, the pier for Wat Pho.
- Bus: many city bus routes pass the market.
The market sits in the Old City, so it is easy to combine with Wat Pho or the Grand Palace on the same outing.
Chatuchak for plants and garden flowers
If you are after potted orchids, houseplants or gardening supplies rather than cut flowers, head to the Chatuchak Weekend Market in the north of the city, where plants and gardening have their own sections, 3 and 4. It is a weekend market, so plan around its days, and see our listing for opening details and how to get there.
Tips for buying flowers
- Bring cash and small notes, especially early in the morning.
- Think about the heat. Cut flowers wilt quickly in Bangkok's climate, so buy close to when you need them and carry water if you are traveling far.
- Plan for your hotel. If flowers are for a room or an occasion, ask your hotel whether it can supply a vase or arrange delivery.
- Don't pack them to fly home without checking your country's import rules: most countries restrict fresh plant material.
For more shopping ideas, see our Bangkok shopping guide.
Sources: Pak Khlong Talat (Wikipedia: history, flower sources, Yodpiman River Walk, transport), Chatuchak Weekend Market (Wikipedia: market sections). Checked September 26, 2026.
Pak Khlong Talat is on Chak Phet Road and the side streets around it, in Wang Burapha Phirom, Phra Nakhon district, near Memorial Bridge and the Chao Phraya River.
The market is open 24 hours a day. It is busiest before dawn, when the day's flowers arrive and florists come to buy.
The nearest rail station is Sanam Chai on the MRT Blue Line. By river, the Chao Phraya Express Boat stops at Memorial Bridge (N6), Yodpiman (N6/1) and Rajini (N7) piers, all close to the market.
Yes. The market serves both wholesale buyers and individual shoppers, so you can buy a single bunch or a garland as well as bulk quantities.
Phuang malai. They are strung from blossoms such as jasmine and marigold and are offered at shrines, temples and spirit houses.
The Chatuchak Weekend Market has dedicated plants and gardening sections, 3 and 4.
A riverside building behind Pak Khlong Talat, a former warehouse redeveloped in 2016, with restaurants, cafes, shops, a terrace on the Chao Phraya and its own express boat pier (N6/1).
