Phadaeng Nang Ai (Thai: ผาแดงนางไอ่ and Lao: ຜາແດງນາງໄອ່) is a traditional folk tale of Laos and Northeast Thailand about a tragic love triangle featuring Princess Aikham, the daughter of King Ek-Thita, King Phadaeng of Phaphong city and Queen Sida of the ancient Khmer Empire that resulted in the creation of Nong Han Kumphawapi Lake in Udon.
[citation needed] Princess Aikham: Teenage daughter of King Ek-Thita & Queen Sida.
Secretly in love with Princess Aikham King Suttho: Ruler of Naga Retold over generations with slight variations occurring with each retelling.
Prince Phadaeng of Phaphong hears of Aikham's beauty and in anticipation of winning her hand sends her gifts of gold, diamonds, and silks.
On receiving the gifts the chamberlain tells Princess Nang Ai about her admiring prince and how strong and handsome he was.
Before the chamberlain returns from her journey, Nang Ai sends a message to the prince inviting him and his army to come into her city and meet her.
Pungkee, the son of Sudtonark and prince of the underwater city, desperately wanted to see the beautiful Nang Ai.
Nang Ai waited for her husband at the bottom of the fig tree but he sees Pungkee, forgetting his wife and walking away.
The purpose of this competition was to offer a sacrifice to king Tan in the sky begging for rain.
It was also a competition to find out the greatest Boon Bung Fai, who would have Nang Ai as his wife.
King Saeng Haen was the uncle of princess Nang Ai so the contest was invalidated.
He held out a branch near Nang Ai’s room and she heard the bell jingle, so she opened the window and saw the albino squirrel.
Finally, retribution found Pungkee; he stopped to eat a mature fig as he was hungry and suddenly, the hunter shot him with a toxic dart.
That night, he heard noises he knew were from Naga, so he brought Nang Ai, a horse to ride and get away.