Phuket
Krabi officials frustrated by local beliefs

KRABI: Locals believe a serpent is the cause of a sinkhole at the Khao Phanom Temple, but officials disagree.
Officials from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) Region 4 in Surat Thani arrived to inspect the sinkhole last week. Their findings concluded that the hole outside the temple – roughly five meters wide and four meters deep – emerged because people have been using a lot of underground water during the drought season.
However, locals insist that the hole was made by a three-headed serpent-spirit, called a Naga, instead (story here).
“At this stage, we believe that the level of underground water is going down faster because of the drought season. With people using a lot more underground water, the dirt surface collapsed,” said Preecha Thongnual, head of the water resource department at MNRE.
Officials believe that the area was a waterway before the temple was built.
“Additionally, the area was used to host a local fair during Songkran. The weight of the the large congregation and the ground not having enough water pressure for support are likely reasons for the sinkhole to appear,” said Mr Preecha.
“However, we will continue with our inspections in order to arrive at a reasonable conclusion,” he added.
Even so, many locals are holding on the belief that the hole was created by a Naga.
Krabi local Banyen Ruangsil, 42, says she believes this is punishment granted by a sacred spirit because of the festivities that had been organized at the temple.
“I have gone to many temple fairs but this was different; dances were performed where a principal Buddha image is located,” Ms Banyen said.
“This is disrespectful to the beliefs of Buddhism,” she added. “I personally believe this is punishment.”
— Kritsada Mueanhawong
Get more from The Thaiger
Join the conversation and have your say on Thailand news published on The Thaiger.
Thaiger Talk is our new Thaiger Community where you can join the discussion on everything happening in Thailand right now.
Please note that articles are not posted to the forum instantly and can take up to 20 min before being visible. Click for more information and the Thaiger Talk Guidelines.

-
Pattaya3 days ago
Foreign sex pest caught assaulting Thai beauty contestant
-
Business2 days ago
Thai Airways has sold 11 of its old aircraft, 26 to go
-
Patong3 hours ago
UPDATE: 19 year old Australian falls to his death at a Phuket hotel
-
Patong1 day ago
19 year old Australian falls to his death at a Phuket hotel
-
Crime2 days ago
More than 100 foreigners in Phuket swindled by visa agency
-
Expats1 day ago
Norwegian man stabs himself in Pattaya hotel
-
Coronavirus (Covid-19)2 days ago
Thai health chief received special drug due to obesity, not privilege
-
Crime3 days ago
Thai man jailed for rape in London massage parlour
You must be logged in to post a comment Login