Florists in northern Thailand said red rose sales have soared this year - up 30 per cent from before the pandemic.

Shopkeeper Plengsri Narkkum, who runs the Yupin Dork Mai Sod store in Chiang Mai province, said custom has boomed following the end of Covid-19 restrictions and the improving economical situation.

She said that more people than ever before were celebrating Valentine's Day by buying roses, bouquets, and gift bouquets.

Plengsri said: 'Sales this year have increased by 30 per cent from the previous years. Customers have reserved roses, chocolate bouquets, and bouquets made from red bank notes.'

The florist said that red roses are still the best-selling roses followed by white and orange roses respectively. She added that the largest rose bouquets reserved by customers were being sold for 6,500 Baht (158 GBP).

The store also sold a single rose sells for 100 Baht (2.43 GBP) depending on its quality. Plengsri said that both chocolate and bouquets made from banknotes had become more popular this year.

Plengsri explained that the rose price has increased slightly due to a lower supply but the demand has still been high. The demand has also been boosted by wedding ceremonies, she said.

The annual Christian festival remembering Saint Valentine has proved a commercial success in the Buddhist-majority Southeast Asian country.