If you're an orchid enthusiast planning a trip to Thailand, there's one place we'd certainly recommend visiting: Chatuchak Plant Market in Bangkok.
Most tourists know Chatuchak for its enormous weekend market, but on Wednesdays and Thursdays, sections of it become a fascinating plant market filled with orchids, tropical plants and gardening supplies.
For us, this market is much more than somewhere to admire beautiful orchids.
We've been coming here for around 25 years. In those early days, when we were building our nursery business back in South Africa, this was one of the places where we made contact with Thai orchid growers and suppliers. Those relationships eventually allowed us to start importing orchids as stock for our nursery.
So walking through the market again brings back many memories. It's a place that played a part in shaping our journey in the orchid industry.
Over the years, we've had the opportunity not only to grow thousands of orchids ourselves, but also to meet growers, visit nurseries, explore commercial production and learn how the orchid industry operates in different parts of the world.
And that's something we hope to share through The Nature Company. Our channel isn't simply about telling you how to water, feed or repot an orchid. It's about passing on knowledge and experience gathered over decades of working with these remarkable plants, from growing them ourselves to discovering the people and businesses behind them.
Planning a visit?
When: Wednesdays and Thursdays, with the plant market generally advertised from 7 am to 6 pm. Morning visits are usually more comfortable.
Where: Chatuchak Market, Bangkok. (JJ Market)
Getting there: Take the MRT Blue Line to Kamphaeng Phet Station, Exit 2.
What you'll find: Orchids, tropical plants, gardening supplies and opportunities to discover local plant sellers.
Allow: At least a couple of hours to browse, particularly if you enjoy looking closely at plants.
If you're visiting from overseas, remember that taking live orchids home may require phytosanitary certificates and CITES documentation. Always check your country's import regulations before purchasing plants to take abroad.
Even if you're only looking, it's a wonderful opportunity to experience another side of Thailand's horticultural world.
This week's video takes you along as we revisit this market, see what's currently on offer and share another little part of our orchid journey.
After 25 years, we're still discovering things, still learning and still enjoying the experience. And that's what we hope to share with you.
Ed & Peter
The Nature Company