If you’ve ever driven in Bangkok, you may have noticed something curious at stoplights. Street vendors appear seemingly out of nowhere, selling fried bananas, doughnuts, green mango, or offering to clean your car’s mirrors. Among these offerings, the most ubiquitous item is the Thai flower garland, or phuang malai.

Prices of jasmine rice reach 2,400-2,600 baht per kilo ahead of Mother’s Day