Puang Malai the Thai Flower Garland

It's almost impossible for tourists not to not receiving the puang malai or flower garland when in Thailand. Puang malai vendors are seen virtually everywhere, especially at outdoor markets, by the streets and even on Bangkok's main roads at major intersections. These garlands are very popular – Thais use them for virtually every occasion – to say everything from “I'm sorry” to “Thank you”.

Buddhists offer them to monks when they make merit, placing one inside a monk's alms bowl before praying for prosperity.

A flower garland is a part of Thai culture and its purpose varies. Usually presented as an offering to Buddhist deities, alongside candles every-time a Buddhist prays, a flower garland is the symbol of love on Mother's Day. They are usually made from the most exotic of Thai flowers, such as Jasmine – Thailand's symbol for Mother's Day – the Gardenia, the Champaca and the Dok Rak, which literally translates as the flower of love, otherwise known in English as the Crown Flower. These are skillfully hand-woven into intricate patterns and offered to a mother by her child as a symbol of their undying love.

But on any given day, the puang malai is omnipresent, seen anywhere and everywhere from airports and hotels to restaurants and spas. Visitors usually receive them as a welcome gift, a gesture of goodwill from their host.

If you receive a flower garland from a Thai person, don't forget to accept it with a smile, for despite the language barrier, it is a symbol of friendship and lets you know that you are welcome.