FEBRUARY 14 always brings romance and happy hearts, but this year there is a little economic pain.
Flower shops surveyed by Phuketwan say that business this year is down by 30-40 percent.
Small shops normally sell small roses for 10 baht apiece and raise prices to 15-20 baht for Valentine's Day.
The well-known Metha shop on Yaowarat Road, in Phuket City, reported that sales were holding up well, though.
Owner Metha Supphasri says that business is not turning down too fast this year because they provide flowers for many events, including today's Baba Wedding.
Flowers cost 10 percent more than they did last year.
He believes many businesses are down but his is functioning well because he focuses on the high society market, as well as students, who spend a lot on Valentine's Day.
Many will spend from 500 baht to 1000 baht on bouquets.
Special large roses ordered from Bangkok costs 400 baht each. At those prices, most buyers are foreigners, about 80 percent of the market.
Flower shops surveyed by Phuketwan say that business this year is down by 30-40 percent.
Small shops normally sell small roses for 10 baht apiece and raise prices to 15-20 baht for Valentine's Day.
The well-known Metha shop on Yaowarat Road, in Phuket City, reported that sales were holding up well, though.
Owner Metha Supphasri says that business is not turning down too fast this year because they provide flowers for many events, including today's Baba Wedding.
Flowers cost 10 percent more than they did last year.
He believes many businesses are down but his is functioning well because he focuses on the high society market, as well as students, who spend a lot on Valentine's Day.
Many will spend from 500 baht to 1000 baht on bouquets.
Special large roses ordered from Bangkok costs 400 baht each. At those prices, most buyers are foreigners, about 80 percent of the market.
