The sacred tree prominently positioned in the middle of the road, in the center of the market town of Naklua, just a few miles north of Pattaya, is commonly referred to as “The Tree”. It is in fact a Sacred Fig tree (ficus religiosa), sacred fig trees are highly respected in Thailand because of their religious and spiritual significance, add a large dash of superstition in to the mix and you begin to understand why the tree has kept it’s prominent position.
As you see in the photo (above) the sacred fig tree has a dominant position in the center of Naklua, it is customary for drivers to beep their horn as they pass a sacred fig tree, a custom much more noticeable at the Sacred Tree in Jomtien.
I suspect that the concrete barrier around the tree is shaped in the fashion of a boat for decorative reasons, but it seems quite appropriate and may also have some spiritual or superstitious significance due to Naklua being a fishing village.
A collection of religious, spiritual and superstitious artifact’s adorn the sacred fig tree in Naklua.