Sak Yai Giant Teak

The tree stands in Klong Tron forest in Nam Pat district and is generally described as the largest teak in the world - now about thirty-seven metres tall after a storm tore off its top (it stood roughly forty-eight metres before), with a girth of roughly ten metres, and estimated at about 1,500 years old, though age estimates on tropical hardwoods are approximate. It was found in 1927 during logging survey work and protected afterwards, at a time when Thailand's teak was being cut heavily for export; commercial logging in natural forest was banned nationally in 1989. A walk of around five hundred metres through forest leads to it, with a raised canopy walkway built alongside so visitors can see the crown from height rather than only the trunk. The tree has been damaged by storms - a major limb came down some years ago - and is monitored. The forest park around it is quiet and gets few foreign visitors, being a long way off the main routes.

Highlights

• The tree - about thirty-seven metres now (48 m before storm damage) and ten metres in girth, roughly 1,500 years old.
• The canopy walkway - raised structure giving a view of the crown.
• The forest walk - about five hundred metres through Klong Tron forest.
• The logging history - found in 1927 and protected as the teak was cut around it.

When to go

November to February for the weather and the trail. It is a long way from the main tourist routes and gets few visitors at any time.

Good to know

Remote - a long drive from anywhere with little else nearby. It is one tree and a walkway; two hours covers it. Storm damage means the crown is not what older photographs show.

Nearby

Phu Soi Dao is north-east; Uttaradit town is south-west.