Sept 21st, 2019 : Phraya Nakhon

[xoxoxoBruce]

The Phraya Nakhon Cave is located inside Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park in the Prachuap Khiri Khan Province of Thailand. According to local legend, the cave was discovered around 200 years ago when a local ruler, Nakhon Srithammaraja, was forced to abandon his ship during a storm and found refuge in the cave. Some historians, however, believe the cave was discovered by, or at least named after, a nobleman called Nakhon, who lived in the region in the 17th century.

When something’s current, either nobody cares or the vested interests lie. That makes important history dubious.



If more caves were as bright and airy as this they would be more popular.

Either way, the cave has long been a treasured natural attraction along the northern part of the Malay Peninsula. When sunlight floods into the cavern, it illuminates the cave’s stalagmites and stalactites, and the lush green trees that lean toward the light from the sandy floor below. It’s a serene and mystical sight, and one deemed fit for kings.

In 1890, for the visit of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), a mound was built inside the cave. Upon this mound was placed a small pavilion, built in Bangkok and assembled inside the cave. Positioned perfectly to catch the full flood of the morning sunlight, the Khuha Kharuehat Pavilion, as it is known, has since become an iconic symbol of the Prachuap Khiri Khan Province.

It was later visited by King Prajadhipok (Rama VII), who, like King Chulalongkorn, inscribed his name on the wall of the cavern’s main chamber. The late King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) also visited the Phraya Nakhon Cave, but unlike his predecessors he did not leave his signature on the wall.

Good for Rama IX leaving no graffiti in the cave, more should be as smart.

link

[Diaphone Jim]

From Wikipedia:
"There is evidence of continued human habitation in present-day Thailand from 20,000 years ago to the present day."
But they didn't find this huge hole until a couple of hundred years ago?

[xoxoxoBruce]

It's possible, first of all discovered means when word got around and it's not far fetched that before 200 years ago in all that jungley area it didn't get around very fast. Secondly the jungley hills where it's located have low flat land and ocean around it for much easier travel.
Probably when you live in the jungle, weekend camping trips are far less appealing. But then we're relying on a Wiki article that may have been written by someone in the Pentagon who's an expert on Southeast Asia.