Puang Malai, a Thai flower garland of jasmine

A typical Thai symbol that you encounter everywhere is the puang malai, a garland of jasmine. Which is used as decoration, gift and offering. In addition to jasmine, roses, orchids or champak are also processed in one corn. You can buy them at markets and from street vendors. The smallest starts at 30 baht and the largest costs about 300 baht; the price depends on the complexity.

Children give one malay to the parents and students to their teachers, as a sign of respect. It is a popular gift during Mother's Day. You can one malay also give to a guest arriving or departing, as a token of appreciation and to wish him good luck. A malay is also used to decorate Buddha statues, along with candles and incense sticks. Truck drivers and taxi drivers post a malay at the windshield of the car to show respect to the guardian angels (spirits). The long malay is mainly used in marriages; the bride and groom then wear them around their necks as a sign of bonding.

The art of making phuang malai stems from the country's Hindu and Buddhist heritage, where flowers are considered an offering to gods and spiritual entities. The delicate and careful manner in which these garlands are made reflects the Thai appreciation for beauty, precision and meditation. The process of putting together a phuang malai is almost meditative and requires patience, skill and dedication.

Phuang malai come in different shapes and sizes depending on their specific use. They can be worn as decoration, offered as a sign of respect to elders or monks, used in wedding ceremonies, or as offerings at spiritual and religious altars. A special type, the “maalai chum rui”, is used as a token of welcome or appreciation, often worn by guests during ceremonies or on special occasions.

The materials used to make phuang malai vary, but often include fragrant flowers such as jasmine, rose, and the ylang-ylang flower. These are supplemented with other plant materials such as leaves and sometimes even colored threads to add extra detail and meaning. The choice of flowers and the way they are combined can vary depending on the occasion, the intended meaning behind the garland or even the personal preferences of the maker or recipient.