THAM NAKHA: THE LEGEND OF THE NAGA CITY IN PHU LANGKA NATIONAL PARK

Abstract

This academic article will present the knowledge and beliefs of local people towards Tham Nakha in Phu Langka National Park. Local people’s beliefs: The villagers believe that the Naga or giant snake has been cursed to turn into stone because the followers of the Naga who ruled the underworld had sexual relations with humans. The underworld where the Naga lived was Bueng Khong Long. According to the legend, in the past, Pu U Lue was a god in heaven. He was then cursed to become a Naga who ruled the underworld at Bueng Khong Long, where both Naga and humans lived. Later, the people in the underworld, both humans and Naga, became lustful and had sex with each other. When Pu U Lue, the Naga, found out about this, he was angry at his followers who fell in love with humans. He cursed his followers to turn into stone in the cave. The cursed followers are all over the city and in many places to protect humans. Later, it became a sacred place that people love. The wonder of Tham Nakha is that the walls inside the cave are shaped like the scales of a Naga curled up. It is a large brown rock with scales and a shape similar to the head of a Naga. It is a popular spot for tourists to come and worship to ask for luck and fortune to enhance their lives. Therefore, locals and tourists come to admire the wonders of this Naga cave.