Ancient Swan Cave Legend Confirmed in Rayong

Residents of Mu 10, Kacherd Subdistrict, Muang District, Rayong Province have reported the discovery of a large cave hidden in a durian orchard near Swan House on the hillside. Local people who learned of the find went to investigate and confirmed it matches the legendary Swan Cave from their childhood stories. According to local accounts, the cave was once home to swans and emitted the sounds of Thai classical music and celestial bells in the evening.

According to village legend, the cave once served as a place where residents could borrow ancient bowls and dishes for merit-making ceremonies. However, the legend tells of someone who replaced genuine borrowed items with counterfeits, causing the cave entrance to mysteriously seal itself. On August 23, Akdej Long Duriyang, subdistrict chief, received the report and ordered officials and village elders to investigate the durian orchard owner's property.

The team found a large, well-preserved cave with a water-filled entrance approximately 3-4 meters long and 80 centimeters wide. Statues of Kinnari, a celestial beings from Thai mythology, were found at the cave entrance. Village elders revealed their parents told them the cave extends through the mountain to the opposite side near Swan Temple. Sayan, 70, former subdistrict cultural officer, confirmed that swans historically gathered at a pond near the subdistrict administration office, inspiring the temple's name and the cave legend.

Maryat Tanprasert, a retired teacher, testified that as a child she personally heard Thai music and swan bells ringing in the evening. She believes the original water channels in the cave may have been buried by agricultural activity, though fragments of ancient pottery are preserved at the temple as symbols. Local authorities plan to submit their findings to the district and provincial offices to develop the ancient cave into an important historical and educational tourism destination.