Thailand has several different species of coniferous or pine trees. The one in this photo is the Khasi Pine, known in Thai as son sahm bai (สนสามใบ), i.e. the Three-needled Pine, a name also used in English. This species is commonly found in the mountains around Mae Hong Son.

Another prevalent pine species in this area is the Merkus pine or Sumatran Pine, in Thai referred to as son song bai (สนสองใบ), i.e. the Two-needled Pine. Pine trees have numerous useful qualities. Its resin for one is very inflammable and the northern hill tribes use its wood as firewood (fig.).