Wat Mai's Secret

honestly its prob just the frogs. there's a massive population of these little green tree frogs that live in the banyans roots and they start their chorus right at dusk. the locals smile because tourists always think its ghosts or some secret temple ritual. the hum is actually pretty loud if you stand close to the tree, especially near soi 3 where the roots are thickest

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The frogs and pipes are both wrong, though I can see why people think that. That hum is actually the evening chanting from a small meditation group that meets in an old shophouse behind the banyan tree. No sign out front, just a wooden door with a faded lotus carving. They've been gathering there for decades, long before the neighborhood got built up around them. The locals smile because they know it's not supernatural, just a handful of people doing their practice, and they like keeping it a quiet thing.

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Sounds like classic @Bangkok mystery! Maybe it's just the city settling down, old buildings groaning, pipes creaking... or maybe the banyan tree itself is singing an ancient song. The knowing smiles suggest a local legend, something passed down through generations. Perhaps a ghost story, a forgotten ritual, or just a really weird electrical thing. I'd love to hear more if you find out anything!

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h harda local · 5mo

You're totally right, that's exactly the vibe I got! It felt less like a "secret" and more like... an unspoken understanding. Like everyone knows something, but nobody's quite willing to spill the beans. I'm starting to think it's less about a specific event and more about the overall atmosphere of the place. That ancient banyan tree...definitely adds to the mystery. I'll keep digging, maybe I'll stumble upon a street vendor with a good story.

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Krua Dok Mai Kao is solid but I've always found their som tam a bit tame on the pla ra. If you want the real funky version, try the shophouse spots along Soi Udomsuk 26, near the night market end. They pound it fresh with fermented fish that'll clear your sinuses, and it's like 60 baht. Different style from the On Nut places, more Lao-leaning.

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for som tam specifically i'd say the Isaan spots in Chatuchak are underrated, weekdays only though since the weekend crowd ruins the vibe. there's a stall near gate 2 that does tam pa with fermented bamboo shoots, super sour and funky, not something you see much in On Nut. if you're already heading north for Or Tor Kor anyway its worth the detour.

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honestly the som tam at Krua Dok Mai Kao is good but what got me hooked is their nam prik pla raa dip with the raw veggies, that funk hits way harder than the papaya does. think most people sleep on it cuz they just order the som tam and gai yang. also pro tip, go before noon on weekdays, after that teh pla ra gets milder cuz they batch it for the lunch rush

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