sai ngam
Ooy's Shoot
Posted December 14, 2021 by Jan
Sai Ngam Banyan Tree Grove
Posted November 16, 2021 by Jan
Sai Ngam
Nakhon Ratchasima
Thailand
November 16, 2021
Seventeen years ago, when I made my first trip to the northeast of Thailand, I visited Sai Ngam, purported to be the largest and possibly the oldest banyan tree in Thailand.
I wandered into and through and under and around this 1350 square meters (1615 square yards), 350 year old tree. A series of dirt and brick paths meander beneath the trees and the grove is surrounded by water.
That was then. 2004.
This year 2021 torrential rains have flooded the area. Jenjira and I walked to the periphery of the grove but deep water prevented us from "meandering."
Apparently, because of the reproduction mechanism of the banyan tree, with its myriad of interconnecting roots and trunks and branches, Sai Ngam is just one tree!
THAILAND'S LARGEST BANYAN TREE GROVE
The Sai Ngam banyan tree grove is one of Thailand's spookier attractions. It feels like the setting for a twisted horror film where the trees come alive and strangle unsuspecting passersby, and locals believe that potent terrestrial spirits dwell here. For photographers, or anyone who appreciates the eerie, Sai Ngam makes a visit to Phimai even more worthwhile.