Netflix’s Midnight Asia: Eat · Dance · Dream documentary series takes viewers on a night out and introduces them to the people who come to life after sunset in Asia’s most vibrant cities. By taking viewers into this secret world, the series reveals the many interesting occupations that begin at dusk.
In Bangkok, there is a place that is lively in the daytime, and bustling and colorful in the nighttime. This place is Pak Khlong Talat, Thailand’s largest and most attractive flower market.
Before becoming a flower market, “Pak Khlong Talat” was a major fish market where the fish from the Tha Chin River in Samut Sakhon province were transported via the Chao Phraya River to be sold there. Later, it was converted into a market that sold fresh vegetables, fruits, and flowers. Now, Pak Khlong Talat consists of four primary markets: the first market is operated by the Marketing Organization under the Ministry of Interior, while Yodpiman Market, the Thai Agricultural Extension Market, and Phuttha Yodfa Market are privately owned.
Taken as a whole, Pak Khlong Talat is huge with shops and stalls stretching from the Chakraphet Road area, along the Chao Phraya River, to the Maharaj Road area, and surrounding the Ratchaburana Temple, the Rajini School, and the Suankularb Wittayalai School.
During the daytime, vendors sell fruits, vegetables, and street food. However, nighttime is peak time for Pak Khlong Talat. In the evening, the whole area is so awash with colorful blossoms that visitors say the flowers bloom at nighttime in Pak Khlong Talat. Today, both domestically grown flowers and flowers imported from abroad are traded here. Most of them are sold wholesale at affordable prices, such as roses, tulips, gladiolus, and a variety of orchids from Holland. In addition to being a market that imports flowers from all over the world, the flower shops in the market also offer made-to-order flower arrangement services and sell flower arrangement equipment.
If you are planning to experience the market’s vibrant atmosphere, you can also come in the daytime because there are many chic cafes around the market area. Some of them are decorated with beautiful flowers from Pak Khlong Talat. However, if you want to see the fresh flowers being transported to the market, you should come in the early morning around 3.00-4.00 am. At that time, flower trucks arrive and distribute their flowers to the shops. This is also the best time to purchase the flowers as well because it’s the time when flower sellers come to buy flowers at a drop-off price.
Many buses pass Pak Khlong Talat: No.2, 3, 12, 53, 60, 73, 73a, and 82. If you come by boat, take a Chao Phraya Express Boat Company, Wat Ratchasingkhon Pier-Nonthaburi Pier Line, and get off at Memorial Bridge (Saphan Phut) Pier and walk to Pak Klong Talat. If you come by the MRT, get off at Sanam Chai Station and walk a little further to Pak Khlong Talat.
