Nonghan Ruined City’s Legends: The cultural capital for tourism of Nonghan basin, Sakon Nakhon province, Thailand

Abstract

Nonghan, Sakon Nakhon Province was the second largest freshwater lake in Thailand. It has a long history, which appeared in the legendary such as the white barking deer legend (ตำนานเก้งเผือก), the white squirrel legend (ตำนานกระรอกด่อน),  Uranggadhat tale (อุรังคธาตุนิทาน) and  Phadeang - Nang Ai  literature (วรรณกรรมผาแดงนางไอ่) . The researcher collected the folk narratives around Nonghan basin and used to analyses by methodology in folklore. This article aimed to study the myths and folk narratives describing the history of Nonghan and the collapse became a large marsh.

The study founded that the white barking deer legend is a legend that appeared in the chronicle of Sakon Nakhon province. It explained the cause of the sinking of the ground became a large marsh causing various small islands that leaded to historical and cultural stories of Sakon Nakhon province. Besides, the legendary white squirrel legend, also described the collapse of the city, Ekchathita which became a large marsh because people ate the white squirrel meat. Moreover, Uranggadhat legend (Phra That Phanom myth) also described the prosperity of Nonghan luang and the collapse of the city. As for the literature of Pha Daeng Nang Aii, it explained the collapse of Nonghan luang city as well. This study reflected the story of the belief and sacredness of the place that appeared in the story Nonghan basin of Sakon Nakhon province to be used as a cultural capital for sustainable ecotourism development in Nonghan  basin.