Phra Nang Legend Part 2

Continuing on our last post about the Legend of Phra Nang here is the conclusion of the story:

Phra Nang (photo by Yuri Pastores)

The girl, as some girls will do, grew into a beautiful woman and was desired by many of the young men in the village.  But it was a fisherman named Boon who finally stole heart.  The couple approached their families for permission to marry, which they were granted despite her father’s strong concerns about what might happen if the dragon were to find out, and set about making preparations for the ceremony.

This engagement did not stay secret for very long.  The girl’s beauty had put her on the minds of many people in the village, and, as villagers do, they talked.  They talked so much that word finally reached Phaya Naga.

Having heard nothing out of the dragon or seen any unusual behavior of the sea as the day of the wedding approached, the families began to relax and believe that perhaps he had left the area or lost interest in the woman.

Then the day came.  All of the pictures of Thai food and regalia that you might have seen could do no justice to the incredible spread that was laid before the guests.  All of the beautiful Thai curries and fruits that make up the southern fare, with music, actors, and of course all of the offerings of gold and jewels.

One guest, however, was not impressed.  He did not eat, did not drink or dance, and he brought no gold to offer to the girl’s family.  It was Phaya Naga, who had concealed himself in the form of a man and come to destroy the wedding.  Revealing himself to the guests, he seized the bride to be and carried her off with him, destroying everything in his path.

As all of this was happening, tucked away in his hermitage in the jungle sat a Ruesi, deep in meditation.  As his mind wandered the area he saw the dragon and his prisoner, and understanding the situation immediately he set out to intervene.

You see, a Ruesi is no ordinary man.  They are masters of the spirit world, who train their entire lives (and often several more) so that their spirits may wander freely and assist in the trails of ordinary men.  It was his hope to stop the dragon, convince him to release the girl, and avoid any harm that might come to the villagers because of the situation.

Alas, he was too late.  Boon, in his fury, had struck out in hot pursuit of the dragon and the two were locked in heated battle.  Their fighters raged up and down the coastline, destroying fishing boats, houses, and entire villages in their wake until the Ruesi could no longer stand to look upon the suffering of the villagers.

Harnessing his powers he turned the dragon into the beach that is now called Phra Nang and Boon into the Railay bay.  Heartbroken, the girl threw herself from the cliffs where today there is a cave with a small shrine in her honor.

People come from all around the world to make offerings of phalluses and pray for their own fertility, hopefully without also inviting the wrath of the Phaya Naga.  They say a picture is worth a thousand words, a whole story in fact.  What stories do your pictures of Thailand tell?

Note: This post is in honor of our No. 2 winner Photo Contest Amaze me Thailand No. 4 2011