Pak Khlong Talat, the leading flower market in Bangkok, comes in a painter’s palette of colours – orchids of every hue, garlands of marigold, birds of paradise, bouquets of roses from Chiang Mai, chrysanthemums, and the florid, ceremonial ornaments known as Bai Si, constructed from banana leaves and crowned with flowers.

What many travelers do is buy a special flower box there, spray the flowers before boarding, put moist tissues around them, and carry them on as hand luggage. It’s a great way to save money and make a dazzling arrival.

The market is busy during the day and at night, but it’s really blooming in the early morning hours when vendors are setting up shop and the streets are filled with carts and trucks full of flowers.

This area, near the Chao Phraya (the River of Kings), is a wonderful way to cool down after a day of overheated shopping in Yaowarat, Bangkok’s Chinatown, famous for its gold shops, street markets, and Chinese-style temples. Some tours of the canals in the vicinity also include the market as a sweet-smelling stopover on their itineraries. After a visit here, you’ll feel fresh as a daisy.