For someone who grew up in a lush garden home, plants seem to be ingrained in my subconscious somehow. After spending most of my time in Bangkok, I have found myself adding the familiar greenery to my place. It all started from cute little pots, then spanned into something a little bigger. When my bathroom and terrace of my condo are packed, I expanded into the office and the place where is now my home. For now, plants seem to give my life a meaning. Little sprouts and blooms are really something to look forward to.
This is why plant markets are among some of my go-to places when I have time. And luckily Bangkok’s best plants markets (or Talad-Ton-Mai in Thai) are just literally within my reach! So where to? Here are my favorite places.
Chatuchak Plant and Flower Market
This ranks the first because it’s closest to my current home. On evert Tuesday evening to Thursday afternoon, the road in the Chatuchak or JJ market will turn into the plant and flower market with every kind of plants, from orchids, palms, cactus, succulents, foliage plants, bougainvillea, fern, monstera, sansevieria and all the cool houseplants. They also have a big tree section as well. I like to go there on Tuesday night (around 8 p.m.) because it’s not too hot and less people. Also, the plants look more fresh because they just arrive.
Location: Chatuchak Market (BTS Mor Chit or MRT Kampangpetch)
Opening Hours: Tuesdays night (until 8 p.m.) Wednesdays all day and Thursdays until late afternoon
Aor Tor Gor Plant Market
It turns out that I go to the place most often because it is so close to my home. I like to swing by if I go to the fresh market at Aor Tor Gor. The collection features any plants the Bangkokians want, from houseplants, hipster plants, foliage plants, cactus, succulents, herbs and spice, orchids, tropical plants, kitchen garden plants… everything compact. You can start off from Aor Tor Gor side and walk along the road towards Manoon pet shop. Almost at the end (near the skywalk) there is a nice little corners with cheap herbs and flowers. I usually go there to shop for herbs for my tiny kitchen garden.
Location: Aor Tor Gor Market (MTR Kampangpetch)
Opening Hours: Everyday, daytime. (**Still open during Aug21 lockdown)
Thewet Plant and Flower Market
This one is quite a hidden gem. Thewet Plant and Flower Market is a canal-side plant market near Thewet Pier, next to Thewet fresh market. The sellers there are the same sellers that have been there like forever, so people who go there are mostly the regulars. The plants vary, but mostly small plants, herbs, cactus and houseplants. There also has several clay pot and fertilizer shops. Another good thing is the affordable prices.
Location: Thewet Pier, close to the National Library
Opening Hours: Everyday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.(**Still open during Aug21 lockdown)
Liab Duan Garden Center
This little plant market is located on Pradit Manudharm Road (known as Liab Duan) at the beginning of soi Sukhontha Sawat 38 (nearby locations: CDC, Central East Ville). It is a little road lined with small plant shops with houseplants, just to cater to the needs of people who live in the area. If you happen to be in the area, you can drop by the check out new plants, but for me it’s not a go-to place. Liab Duan is also quite far from Bangkok city center (with no public transportation).
Location: Pradit Manudharm Road, Sukhontha Sawat 38
Opening Hours: Everyday between 9 A.M. to 5 P.M.
Klong 15 Plant Market Rangsit
Klong 15 Plant Market is quite far from Bangkok (around one hour away with NO public transports) in Ongkarak district of Nakhon Nayok province. It is a great place if you want to buy plants in bulk because the plants there are quite cheap and varied and there are lots of big trees to shop for. Klong 15 is actually a road lined with plant shops. The deeper you get there, the cheaper plants you will get. And you can drop by for some boat noodles along the ways because it is a delicacy there.
Location: Rangsit-Ongkarak Road, Nakhon Nayok
Opening Hours: Everyday between 8 A.M. to 6 P.M.
11th Infantry Regiment’s Plant Market
This one has become my favorite only second to Thewet which is nearer. Located in a military compound in Bangkhen, the 11th Infantry Regiment’s plant market (or Talad-Ton-Mai-Rab-Sib-Ed in Thai) is ideal for those who look for super cheap and well-tended plants. What I like about this place is that the sellers speak with you frankly and don’t try to convince you to buy anything lol. May be it is because they are on a military ground and most customers are gardeners and wives of military officers. It is far from Bangkok’s CBD but luckily, it is located on the foot of Wat Pra Sri Mahathat BTS. You need to submit your ID card to get a visitor pass.
Location: Opposite to Wat Pra Sri Mahathat Bangkhen, Wat Pra Sri Mahathat BTS station (Green Line) The entrance is next to the crossover in front of the temple.
Opening Hours: Everyday from 9 A.M. until 5 P.M.
