Why should you go there and how do you do it right?

The trees dominate everything here, and they are entirely sufficient. Centuries of banyan growth have transformed them into a sprawling grove on the outskirts of Phimai. Their aerial roots hang down, sending out new ones, so that it's almost impossible to tell where one tree ends and the next begins. The dense canopy provides welcome shade, a rarity in Korat, and the paths wind through the trunks rather than around them. It takes about half an hour to take it all in at leisure, longer if you sit down.

I would combine the visit with the nearby Phimai Historical Park and explore the grove first thing in the morning, rather than in the blazing midday heat. The morning light filtering through the canopy is the reason so many people come here to take photos. Near the entrance, there's a small market selling snacks and souvenirs – unobtrusive and worth a look, but nobody comes here to shop. Families feel comfortable here because there's shade, plenty of space, and nothing fragile that could break.