Prominently positioned, in the middle of the road, on Rompho Road in Jomtien, Pattaya, is a large tree with its trunk wrapped in brightly colored ribbon, see photo below. Around the base of the tree are Thai spirit houses and a multitude of figurines, including Buddhas, Erawan, Rama V, and dancing girls.
It’s not the only famous and much revered tree in Pattaya, Walking Street has one, and similarly in the middle of the road and the same species as the tree on Soi Rompho is the famous tree in Naklua.
What is so special about the tree? Like the famous tree in Naklua, this is a Sacred Fig tree, and it was while sitting under a Sacred Fig tree that Buddha attained enlightenment. Besides, according to Buddhist, Hindu, and other faiths, the tree is also believed to be home to deities and spitirts.
The tree is adorned with colored ribbons and garlands of flowers. The assorted spirit houses and figurines represent Buddhism, Hinduism, and Animism, the three beliefs and faiths that you could say form a spiritual fusion in Thailand.
You will notice that Thais passing by sacred trees in Thailand will often stop to wai and sometimes leave an offering of food and drink in the nearby spirit houses.
Somewhat related to the tree on Soi Rompho, I wrote Is Thailand a Land of Ghosts.