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Bambusetum Baan Sammi, a non-commercial enterprise, has been closed to the public temporarily since 1 March 2022 and permanently since 21 September 2025. Visits are still possible, but only by prior arrangement, with a specified date and time. Visitors are still offered the opportunity to harvest bamboo culms themselves, receive pre-cut bamboo poles, dig up bamboo plants grown in the garden, or obtain potted bamboo plants, provided these are immediately available and it is the right time of year to dig them up or cut them. These services are complimentary. Please note that pre-orders are not accepted and no sale, shipping, or delivery is offered.
In the past, such free-of-charge bamboo offers were initially posted on this blog, BAMBOO AVAILABLE FOR FREE (ไม้ไผ่ให้ฟรี), which was updated in real-time. A few days later, these offers were also publicly posted on Facebook Marketplace and in 20 to 70 Chiang Mai Facebook groups. Furthermore, they were published on Khun Sam's former Facebook page.
From 2026 onwards, it is intended that similar free bamboo offers will merely be posted on a few Chiang Mai Facebook groups and possibly also on the Facebook pages BAAN SAMMI Nature Retreat and Boonthammere Bamboo Garden.
Purchasing bamboo plants
Please consider that bamboo plants need to be prepared for domestic transportation or international shipment. For the latter, a phytosanitary certificate is required for almost all countries, and each country has specific import and export regulations.
In Chiang Mai, bamboo plants can be best bought from the following sources:
In Chiang Mai, bamboo plants can be best bought from the following sources:
- Kham Thiang Market (ตลาดคำเที่ยง), usually, common species are available seasonally or year-round.
- Boonthammee Bamboo Garden, Hang Dong, common and rare species, visits upon appointment.
- Online from several Thai plant nurseries specializing in bamboo, which offer their bamboo species on many Thai Facebook Groups in Thai script.
- Best Ornamental Bamboo
- Best Bamboo for Hedges and Screens
- Best Bamboo with Palatable Shoots
- Giant Bamboo
- Preferred Bamboo for Construction
When is the right time to plant bamboo?
The BEST time to plant bamboo is about a few weeks or months before the initiation of developing new bamboo shoots (new culms) above the ground. Bamboo shooting initiation depends mainly on the species to which the bamboo plant belongs (which means knowing the name of the species, or at least the genus, is most helpful). Most bamboo species from temperate and tropical climates start shooting between March and October. However, planting bamboo can be done successfully almost all year round, but this largely depends on climate and season, the plant's condition (e.g., whether potted or just dug up), maintenance, and especially protection from temporary unfavorable conditions (e.g., too much or not enough moisture content of the soil and air, too much sun exposure, root competition, weed overgrowth).
Horticultural Stuff
Preservation of bamboo
The latest online version of the monograph THE BAMBOOS OF THAILAND has been available free of charge since November 2024. Further details are available here:
