Roses, lovers and cats – Pak Khlong Talat at dusk

Black roses are the latest trend, despite Thailand’s long-held belief of them as a symbol of immortality, death, and the supernatural.

Pak Khlong Talat, the Bangkok flower market, runs from midday into the night, seven days a week. While it’s never empty, Valentine’s Day gave tourists and locals a timely excuse to visit.

Thousands of flowers lined the streets, in every colour and species. Turmeric marigolds and deep red roses lived in pockets between daisies, sunflowers, and everything else. Fake bouquets lay among the real flowers and, after navigating crowded streets in the Thai heat for long enough, the two became indistinguishable.

Market-goers bought bouquets for wholesale prices, fresh from provinces like Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon and Samut Songkhram.

In the days leading up to Valentine’s, Thai PBS World captured the buzz and bustle of the market.