Naga-Shaped Palm Tree Draws Crowds at Khao Yai Resort
A yellow areca palm at a resort near Khao Yai National Park has attracted crowds after its young shoot grew into a shape resembling the mythical Naga serpent. Tourists and locals have been praying at the tree for blessings and seeking lucky lottery numbers, viewing the phenomenon as auspicious, especially since it appeared around the time of the Ok Phansa festival and Naga fireball celebrations.
At the Baan Yoo Dee Resort, located at kilometer 22 before Khao Yai National Park in Moo Si subdistrict, Pak Chong district, Nakhon Ratchasima, a yellow areca palm has drawn attention for its bizarre appearance. A young shoot emerging from the trunk has twisted and coiled into undulating, jagged loops that remarkably resemble a Naga, both in head and body, with fresh green leaves adding to the spectacle. The sight created a buzz among tourists staying over the Saturday-Sunday holiday, with some bringing nine incense sticks to worship and ask for auspicious fortune according to their beliefs.
The resort owner, Ms. Phet, revealed that a caretaker had been clearing and trimming the grounds when the abnormal shoot was discovered. It has been visible since last October, overlapping with the Ok Phansa period and the Naga fireball tradition in Nong Khai province. Since then, visiting tourists have expressed amazement, many believing the shape mirrors the Naga. They took photos and videos as keepsakes and paid respects for good luck, a matter of personal faith. News spread, drawing villagers and more tourists to see the tree, and many did not miss the chance to interpret lucky numbers based on the resort's address, auspicious figures, the Ok Phansa date, and the Naga fireball festival.
