การศึกษาสถานที่เคารพอันเกี่ยวเนื่องกับเสด็จในกรมหลวงชุมพรฯ ในเขตภาคเหนือตอนล่าง
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Abstract
A Study of Sacred Places with reference to His Royal Highness Admiral Prince Abhakara of Chumphon in the Lower Northern Thailand
This research aims to investigate the sacred places with reference to His Royal Highness Admiral Prince Abhakara of Chumphon, in the lower region of northern Thailand. It includes an analysis of the establishment of each place, with data gained from documentary study and field work in the region, consisting of eight provinces: Tak, Phitsanulok, Sukothai, Phetchabun, Phichit, Kampaeng Phet, Nakhonsawan and Uthaithani. The study reveals that the sacred places are located mostly in Nakhonsawan, with 6 places, followed by Sukothai with 5 places, Kamphaeng Phet, Phichit, Phetchabun and Thaithani with one place each. There was no evidence of a sacred place established in Phitsanulok or in Tak. Most of the sacred places found in the course of this study were in temples, official locations and private residences. Reasons for the establishment of these sacred places include 1) beliefs passed down by ancestors; 2) respect of the Prince’s prestige as the guardian angel; 3) the relationship between the Prince and the establisher of the sacred place; 4) dreams; 5) the area was where the Prince visited for study; 6) written and oral records and traditions related to communication between the physical world and higher realms.