Mother's Day demand doubles price of fresh jasmine

Last year, fresh jasmine was being sold for Bt500-Bt800 per kilogram at the same period.
The increased price – said to stem from the flood disaster and worm outbreak that affected jasmine growing and the high demand – has prompted vendors in various provinces, including Phichit and Phitsanulok, to throw gardenia and crown flower into the mix or use them completely when making Mother's Day garlands. The garlands were being sold at Bt50-Bt120 each. 
Gardenia is Bt120-Bt200 per kilogram while crown flower is Bt200 per kilogram. 
Meanwhile, the northern province of Chiang Mai has seen a new trend of vendors selling blue flowers (from the effect of soaking white flower in blue-coloring liquid) as the blue colour is associated to birthday on Friday of HM the Queen Sirikit of the late King Rama IX, although jasmine garlands remain the most sought-after gift item at Bt100-Bt200 per piece. 
Chiang Mai shop owner Thidarat Jai-aree said the blue flowers – which are around Bt40-Bt80 more expensive than their original white version – would last as long as normal flowers.
Fresh jasmine blossoms, handcrafted garlands or fabric and synthetic blossoms are a popular Mother’s Day gift to express love and gratitude to mothers by their children because jasmine is regarded as a symbol of purity and gentleness as well as motherhood.