Chao Pho Palat Chang in Nakhon Nayok Province: Characteristics of Beliefs, Rituals, and Folkloric Roles
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Abstract
This article examines the persistence of beliefs and rituals related to Chao Pho Palat Chang in Nakhon Nayok Province. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with seven key informants between 2024 and 2025 and field observations during the Chao Pho Palat Chang shrine merit-making tradition on January 26, 2025, at the Chao Pho Palat Chang Shrine in Ban Nong Khiam, Nakhon Nayok Province. The study applies the functionalism as an analytical framework. The findings reveal that Chao Pho Palat Chang is a revered sacred entity in Mueang and Ban Na Districts of Nakhon Nayok Province. His story is understood through a combination of traditional beliefs passed down through generations and narratives constructed by government agencies. Folklore about Chao Pho Palat Chang suggests that he was a real historical figure, originally from Nakhon Nayok, who served as a district officer (Palat). He was known for his heroic acts in suppressing bandits in Khao Yai. After his death, he was venerated as a guardian spirit (Phi Arak), and multiple shrines were built in his honor for worship, vow-making, and vow-fulfillment rituals. The annual merit-making ceremony dedicated to Chao Pho Palat Chang takes place on January 26 at Ban Nong Khiam, Ban Na District, Nakhon Nayok Province. The people of Nakhon Nayok believe that Chao Pho Palat Chang is a guardian spirit who protects the community, offers assistance, alleviates hardships, and serves as a forest deity. In the present day, the Shrine of Chao Pho Palat Chang, located within a tourist site in Nakhon Nayok Province, holds the status of a faith-based tourist attraction, where visitors frequently make and fulfill vows. The continued existence of Chao Pho Palat Chang in contemporary society serves three key roles: (1) providing encouragement and fulfilling personal aspirations, (2) acting as a unifying spiritual center for the local community, and (3) promoting tourism in Nakhon Nayok Province.
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