Love is a 19,000-baht bunch of blossoms

PHUKET: Valentine’s Day will be marked by smiling lovers and red roses if today’s informal survey of 10 florists by the Gazette proves accurate. But the biggest smile will probably be seen on the face of a woman who receives a bunch of rare black roses from Holland, this year’s most valuable blossoms at 19,000 baht a bunch. Metha Supasri, 40, owner of The Flower Shop by Metha on Yaowarat Rd, Phuket Town, told the Gazette that this year Valentine’s Day sales were slower – probably because of the fact that it coincides with Chinese New Year. But love does last, even if the flowers will not. A Thai customer who bought black roses from K. Metha last year for 25,000 baht came back to buy another bunch at this year’s rather lower price. Black roses may be a bargain this year, but when it comes to other roses, the Gazette survey revealed that the price is typically five times higher for Valentine’s Day than on any other day, with other types of flowers doubling in price. Another florist, Primpraow Jitpentom, said she liked to see people ordering flowers for a grandmother, a father or a mother, too. Sales of white roses came second only to red roses at her shop, also on Yaowarat Rd. She added that she would like to see more affection being shown every day of the year, not on just February 14.