People from Suan Luang Rama IX know it well – the big festival that kicks off every December when botanical event takes over the park. This year it runs December 1-10.
The Suan Luang Rama IX Botanical Festival starts as a showcase of the garden's star specimens before morphing into something between a plant market and seasonal celebration. You'll find stalls flogging gorgeous greenery and flowers at decent prices, handy when you can't be bothered driving across town. There's local food to try, photo spots dotted about and displays from government departments alongside private businesses.
Locals who turn up annually already know what to expect. For this neighbourhood, it feels like a reunion. You'll spot families from Prawet wandering together, all dressed up nicely exploring the grounds with neighbours, people from Samut Prakan arriving early to spend entire days here. These scenes have become part of the furniture for residents.
What's actually lovely is that it happens in a garden, nudging Thais who usually do weekend loops round shopping centres to visit a stunning green space instead.
A massive garden, solid event, not too far from the city – it’s no wonder so many people mark it in their calendars.
Suan Luang Rama IX Botanical Festival runs December 1-10. Entry is B20 per person. MRT Yellow Line, Suan Luang Rama IX Station.