Crocs - Phichit & Phichit Attractions
Why stay in Phichit - isn't it one of those backwater provinces, that you flash through on the way north or south to / from Bangkok or wherever?
I mean the town doesn't really have much to offer, until you start researching a bit for new destinations & attractions.
Situated in the Lower North some 345 kilometres from Bangkok, Phichit (pronounced Pijit) is accessible by both road and rail. Nurtured by two rivers, the Yom and the Nan running parallel to one another north to south, the land is agriculturally fertile. Once the site of an ancient town dating back almost a thousand years ago, Phichit has played in a major role in the history of both Sukhothai and Ayutthaya.
Known as the land of the crocodiles, it has been home to this ferocious reptile which has thrived in its waters. There are today several fresh-water crocodile farms. Phichit features in the Thai epic Krai Thong (ไกรทอง) composed by King Rama II which tells of Chalawan (ชาละวัน), a powerful crocodile king.
Crocodiles & Chalawan.
Cruising around Phichit & the Phichit environs you will see multiple croc statues, such is the fame of the Chalawan Crocodile King.
Outside Wat Khlong Khu
Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.
goo.gl
Downtown by the city park & Bueng Si Fai lake
Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.
goo.gl
The legend of Chalawan, the Crocodile King of Phichit
Once upon a time, there was a magical kingdom located deep inside an under water cave where crocodiles live. Inside the cave, a magic crystal ball floated above, shining so bright like sunlight during daytime. The crocodile lord who ruled this cave was called Chalawan (ชาละวัน) as named after the cave. Every crocodile that entered the cave turned into human form and needed no food.
Chalawan gained his position to rule the cave from his grandfather, after his father's death in a fight with two other crocodiles. He had two crocodile wives living with him in the underwater cave. With his aggressive nature and his need for superiority, what he had was not enough. He wanted to eat human flesh unlike his grandfather who lived by the Buddhist precepts.
In Phichit, there were rumors that crocodiles had been hunting people who lived near the canal. One day, two daughters of a wealthy Phichit man called Tapao Kaew (ตะเภาแก้ว) and Tapao Thong (ตะเภาทอง) wanted to play in the canal. They did not listen to their father's warning and went in the water. Chalawan who came out of his cave in the crocodile form to prey on humans saw the two daughters and fell in love. He then abducted Tapao Thong down into his cave.
When Tapao Thong woke up in the cave, she was amazed by the beauty inside. Chalawan, in the handsome human form, tried to make Tapao Thong fall in love with him. However, he did not succeed. Chalawan then cast a spell on Tapao Thong that she would fall in love with him and agree to be his wife.
Meanwhile, when the wealthy man discovered that one of his daughters got attacked by a crocodile, he was in great sorrow. He announced that anyone who could defeat the crocodile and bring back his daughter's body would be rewarded with great treasures and the marriage with another daughter, Tapao Kaew. However, not a man could defeat Chalawan.
Krai Thong, a fine man from Nonthaburi, was trained to defeat crocodiles and had mastered the skills. He volunteered to defeat Chalawan and bring back Tapao Thong. He travelled from Nonthaburi to Phichit ready to fight Chalawan with a magical spear given to him by his teacher Khong.
Before the arrival of Krai Thong, Chalawan dreamed about his death. He informed his grandfather about what he dreamt. That dream was a prophecy. His grandfather told Chalawan to remain in the cave for seven days. If Chalawan went out of the cave, he would face a fatal threat.
The next morning, Krai Thong started casting his spells on a raft floating above Chalawan's cave. The spell cast by Krai Thong reached Chalawan, the crocodile lord started to feel impatient and could not remain in his cave. Chalawan swam to the surface and confronted Krai Thong. The battle started immediately, Krai Thong attacked first by stabbing Chalawan in the back with his spear.
Chalawan who was badly wounded retreated to his cave. Both of his crocodile wives asked for help from his grandfather, however, his grandfather could not help. Krai Thong dove into the water and followed Chalawan down to his cave. When he arrived, he met Vimala (วิมาลา), one of the crocodile lord's wives. Krai Thong seduced her, and followed a fleeing Vimala into the cave.
Once inside the cave Krai Thong found a wounded Chalawan in human form. The battle between the two started again. Chalawan could not fight Krai Thong and was defeated. Krai Thong finally killed Chalawan and returned to the surface with Tapao Thong. Tapao Thong then returned to her father who was happy to see his daughter still alive. Krai Thong was rewarded with great treasures and was married to both daughters from that family.
Wat Mahathat in the ancient city of Phichit
Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.
goo.gl
To be continued.
