via The Thaiger and other sources (below), 10 September 2020: Tourists behaving badly, Thailand edition. The rock outcrop is sacred because it resembles a giant snake (naga) and has become a local attraction. People come to pay respects to the snake spirit, and/or to ask for lottery numbers.
A cave at Phulangka National Park was closed from the public on Wednesday after officials found signs of vandalism on its inner cave wall.
The cave wall, which went viral online due to its resemblance to scales of the mythical serpent the Naga, bore signs of scratches and touches from the visitors, who likely did so to ask for the Naga’s blessings, officials said.
“Naga cave will be temporarily closed from Sept 9 until the park will introduce measures that will protect it from being damaged,” the park’s Facebook page announced.
Source: Naga Cave Closed After Superstition-Driven Vandalism
See also:
- Naga Cave closes due to lottery louts | Bangkok Post, 10 Sep 2020
- ‘Snake’ cave closed after visitors, looking for lottery numbers, graffiti the rocks | The Thaiger, 09 Sep 2020
- Vandalism closes famous ‘snake’ cave in Bueng Kan | The Nation, 09 Sep 2020
- Naga Cave closed indefinitely after being defaced by visitors | Bangkok Post, 09 Sep 2020
