Bangkok University's Secret Society?

yeah it's not really a club, more like a superstition thing that got blown out of proportion. but the fruit thing is real, i've seen it, mostly bananas and sometimes dragonfruit if someone's feeling fancy. the older students love to mess with newbies by telling them the tree eats the offerings, so people get spooked and leave extra. honestly the best part is watching the birds go crazy over the fruit the morning after, that's the real secret society. if u want a proper story, hit up the noodle shop across from the main gate, the lady who runs it went to this uni in the 80s and she'll tell u about the time someone actually fell asleep under the tree during finals and woke up with a lizard on their face, that's the real lore.

arrow_drop_up 5 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

ur best bet is to find the old professor who teaches thai literature, Dr. Pranee, she's retired but still comes by on fridays to sit in the library reading corner. she tells it like it is, the tree's got a spirit called a nang mai, but the fruit thing started as a bribe for her, students would leave mangoes hoping she'd grade their essays easier, then it just stuck after she left. also, if u want the real creepy factor, go during the rainy season, the roots get slick and the whole area smells like wet earth, feels way more indiana jones than any club could manage.

arrow_drop_up 2 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

There's actually a really good chance you'll see the fruit yourself once you're there, it's not hidden at all. The whole deal is just a mix of exam superstition and older students having a laugh, but the tree itself is genuinely old and kind of impressive at night. If you want a story that'll actually creep you out, ask any of the security guards who work the night shift, they'll tell you about the time a monk came to bless the tree and refused to finish the ceremony, just walked off mid-chant.

arrow_drop_up 2 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

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.

arrow_drop_up 5 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

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.

arrow_drop_up 4 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

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

arrow_drop_up 2 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply