A 74 year old local known as Uncle Aum from the Map Krat district of Nakhon Ratchasima province dug almost 3 metres deep to forage for a rare variety of wild yams, referred to as square yams by locals due to their distinct shape.
Uncle Aum used his free time after the end of the rice harvest season to supplement his household income and reduce living expenses.
The square yam, an unusual breed, resembles other yams, but it is identifiable by its square stalks. The yam’s tubers are long, hairy sections that are buried deep in the soil, usually found in the forest. Digging up this type of yam requires substantial effort as one needs to follow the deep vine underneath the soil for at least 1 metre.
For instance, the yam that Uncle Aum was currently digging required him to go almost 3 metres deep. This process took more than two hours, starting with digging…
