Neil Aronson Here is how to enjoy the amazing natural flower blooms, events, and botanical gardens throughout Thailand. And if you are like me and love nature and the outdoors, than Thailand is the place to be. If you are looking for specific blooms or festivals it is important to plan when and where you will visit so you don’t miss out.
Thailand’s diverse climate and rich flora provide year-round opportunities to enjoy breathtaking floral displays and flower blooms. This guide highlights the best months and locations to experience Thailand’s vibrant flower blooms, along with tips to make your visit unforgettable. And throughout Thailand you can also visit some of the best gardens and farms.
Contents:
Cultural Highlights
- Golden Shower Tree (Ratchaphruek): Officially recognized as Thailand’s national flower, symbolizing unity and prosperity.
- Red Lotus Lake: Popular sites like Talay Bua Daeng in Udon Thani host local festivals celebrating the blooms.
- Mexican Sunflowers (Bua Tong): Annual festivals in Mae Hong Son draw visitors to this vibrant spectacle.
Travel Tips for Flower Enthusiasts
- Best Viewing Time: Early mornings offer vibrant colors and cooler temperatures.
- Photography Tip: Soft morning light enhances the vivid hues of flowers and creates beautiful contrasts.
- Local Festivals: Many regions host flower festivals—check schedules for special events and celebrations.
- Preparation: Comfortable walking shoes, a hat, and sunscreen are recommended for outdoor flower trails.
- Know the Difference: In Thailand, “lotus” and “water lily” are often used interchangeably, but they differ: Lotus (Nelumbo) has leaves above water, while water lilies (Nymphaea) have floating leaves.
Must See Festivals
Flower enthusiasts, or casual nature lovers really enjoy some of the famous festivals and events throughout Thailand. These are ones you will want to see and plan your trip around.
Chiang Mai Flower Festival
Chiang Mai Flower Festival is one of Thailand’s top festivals for those who want to enjoy the beauty and culture of the regions Thai culture and botanical richness.
The festival is an annual event, usually during the first weekend of February, celebrating the region’s diverse flowers and ornamental plants with a vibrant floral parade featuring elaborately decorated floats. The festival highlights the transition from the cool season and takes place at the Nong Buak Hard Public Park in the city center.
Suan Luang Rama IX Flower Festival (Bangkok)
Located in Bangkok, this annual event takes place for about 10 days at the beginning of December. Throughout the day, visitors can enjoy a variety of events including a four-region floating market, a plant and gardening equipment market, flowers, ornamental plants, rare plant contests, a wishing-tree lucky draw, fortune telling, cultural performances, music in the garden and a food fair. Fireworks will light up usually on the first and last nights.
Monthly Flower Blooms
January
- Thai Cherry Blossoms (Nang Phaya Sua Krong)
Northern regions such as Doi Inthanon, Khun Chang Kian, and Doi Ang Khang in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai are transformed by these delicate pink blossoms.
(January–February) - Pink Trumpet Tree (Chomphu Pantip)
Enjoy the romantic charm of pale pink flowers at Kasetsart University’s Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakhon Pathom.
(January–February)
February
- Orchid Tree (Bauhinia variegata)
These elegant flowers adorn Chae Son National Park, Lampang, creating a picturesque scene. - Chomphu Phu Kha
Rare and stunning pink blooms can only be found at Doi Phu Kha National Park, Nan.
(February–March) - Red Lotus Lake
A breathtaking view of vibrant red water lilies floating on Thale Noi, Phatthalung.
(February–May)
March
- Yellow Trumpet Tree (Tabebuia)
Streets and parks in Bangkok (Chatuchak Park, Sanam Luang) and Khon Kaen University come alive with vibrant yellow flowers. - Queen’s Flower (Inthanin)
Parks such as Rot Fai Park, Bangkok, and provincial gardens showcase regal purple blossoms.
(March–May)
April
- Golden Shower Tree (Ratchaphruek)
Thailand’s national flower bursts into bright yellow cascades across roadsides, temples, and parks in Khon Kaen, Chiang Mai, Sukhothai, Ayutthaya, and Bangkok’s Sanam Luang.
(April–June)
May
- White Zingiberaceae (Dok Praw Phu Khao)
Discover this pristine white bloom at Lan Hin Poom, Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park, Phitsanulok. - Flame Tree (Royal Poinciana)
Bright orange-red flowers blaze across the nation, adding vibrancy to the landscape.
June
- Siam Tulip (Dok Krachiao)
Stunning pink blooms carpet Pa Hin Ngam National Park and Sai Thong National Park, Chaiyaphum.
(June–August) - Candle Flowers (Dok Khao Phansa)
Bright yellow blossoms herald the Buddhist Lent season, especially in northeastern areas like Ubon Ratchathani.
(June–July)
July
- Thung Bua Daeng Na Bang Len Floating Market
Discover the tranquil beauty of red lotus flowers blooming at this picturesque floating market in Nakhon Pathom.
(July–December)
August
- Murdannia (Giant Dewflower – Dok Ngon Nak)
Lavender fields bloom beautifully at Phu Soi Dao National Park, Uttaradit.
(August–September)
September
- Impatiens (Dok Thien Phi Seur)
Rare pink and purple blossoms brighten Khao Hua Mot, Tak, and Kanchanaburi provinces.
(September–October)
October
- Wildflowers
Multicolored blooms cover the surroundings of Soi Sawan Waterfalls, Pha Taem National Park, Ubon Ratchathani, creating a vivid farewell to the rainy season.
November
- Mexican Sunflowers (Bua Tong)
Rolling hills come alive with bright yellow blooms at Doi Mae U-Kho and Khun Yuam, Mae Hong Son.
(November–early December) - Sunflower Fields
Early blooms begin in Lopburi and Saraburi, with highlights at Khao Chin Lae and Muak Lek.
(November–January) - Red Lotus Lake
Begin your journey at Bueng Boraphet, Nakhon Sawan, where pink lilies dot the lake.
(November–February)
December
- Cosmos Flowers
Vibrant fields of cosmos bloom at Jim Thompson Farm, Nakhon Ratchasima.
(December–January) - Red Lotus Lake (Talay Bua Daeng)
Iconic pink water lilies reach their peak season in Udon Thani.
(December–February)
Each year from November to February, what’s known as the ‘Red Lotus Sea’ or Talay Bua Daeng appears in the Northeastern province of Udon Thani. As the name suggests, this is when millions of pink water lilies come into bloom on Nong Han Lake, about 40 km from Udon Thani city. The best time to see the Red Lotus Sea is in the morning from around 06.00 – 11.00 Hrs. before the sun becomes too strong and the flowers begin to close up.
Amazing Botanical Gardens
Royal Park Rajapruek (Chiang Mai)
These royal botanical gardens are a beautiful expansive park with hours of things to see and activities to do. The park started out as an International Horticultural Exposition at the Royal Agricultural Research Centre, Chiang Mai, for His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand.
Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden (Chiang Mai)
Thailand’s very first botanic garden is now major travel destination in Mae Rim district covering a mountainous area of 560 acres and displays a vast collection of plants from different climates around the world. Established in 1992 to honor HM Queen Sirikit, the garden features several highlights including a Rainforest Glasshouse where you get to walk amid abundant kinds of plants from all tropical forests in Asia. There are a number of walking trails provided but also feel free to walk around and enjoy.
Suan Luang Rama IX Park (Bangkok)
The park was built to celebrate King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s sixtieth birthday in 1987, and was opened by the King on 1 December that year. It features extensive botanical gardens, a lake, and a pavilion housing exhibits in honor of the King.
Suan Luang Rama IX Public Park that is divided into 6 sections. Area 2-The Botanic Garden is within an area of 150 Rai and houses a massive collection of plant species. Organized by their taxonomic and ecological settings, the plants are used for research, conservation and education purposes.
Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden (Pattaya)
Nongnooch Pattaya Garden was officially opened in 1980 with contemporary Thai cultural performances and elephant shows in the theater. Three years later, Khun Nongnooch handed over the project to her second heir, Khun Kampol Tansatcha, to develop and manage the garden until it became a leading tourist attraction, collecting more than 18,000 species of tropical plants as the center of a world-class botanical garden under the concept of preserving trees, reducing global warming, and being a garden for everyone in the world. (Website)
Hopefully you get a chance to experience one or many of Thailand’s amazing flower blooms, gardens, or festivals. For more on planning your travels to Thailand see our helpful guide.
Resources
Agoda is the best place to book cheap affordable hotels in Thailand, especially near national parks. They also book flights as well.
Expedia is my favorite place to book flights, hotels, cars, and more. Their group includes Hotels.com and Vrbo for vacation rentals.
Viator is the top choice for activities. Book everything from a waterfall tour to scuba diving, jungle trekking to cooking classes.
12Go is the top transportation source for Asia. From busses to trains to regional flights.
