Nong Khai crowded as citizens gather to watch Naga Fireballs

The atmosphere in Nong Khai province is lively today which marks the end of the Buddhist Lent. Citizens and tourists have begun to crowd the province since yesterday in anticipation to see the annual Naga Fireball phenomenon.

Many travelers have taken residence in the Mueang district's hotels but must travel to Phon Phisai district and King Amphoe Rattanawapi district where they can view the Mekong River. All hotel rooms in the province have been booked with the province providing free tents for tourists to use near its City Hall and the territory protection voluntary unit.

Locals believe that the phenomenon is the mythical serpent king Naga's homage to Lord Buddha at the end of the Buddhist Lent. The occurrence resembles spheres of light and fire flying out of the Mekong River towards the sky. The event attracts much attention every year.

rickfarang wrote:Its too bad they don't televise the event. One red flare a few times an hour from unpredictable spots (on the Lao side of the river) is probably too difficult to cover with television.

rickfarang wrote:Some things are better left alone.

Bang Fai Phaya Nak (Naga Fireball)

This extraordinary miracle always occurs at the beginning of the full moon night in the eleventh lunar month (End of Buddhist Lent). It can be seen along the Mekong River in the districts of Mueang, Phon Phisai, Pak Khat, Bung Kan, Tha Bo, Si Chiang Mai and Sangkhom. Bang Fai Phaya Nak is a term used for red and pinkish fire balls, which according to belief, belong to Phaya Nak or the great serpent of the underwater world. On the day marking the End of Buddhist Lent, a great number of people come to witness this phenomenon.
Naga Fireball Festival in Nong Khai

It remains a mystery that never ceases to puzzle both visitors and locals alike. Just what is the origin and nature of the fireballs that fly from the surface of the Mekong River high into the night sky for all to seeω
Locals swear there is absolutely no doubt at all about the origin of the fireballs. Naga, the serpent reportedly dwelling in the murky currents of this mighty river, propels fireballs skyward, probably to remind villagers to treat this life-giving river with respect.
Of course, there are detractors, researchers who have spent years of study attempting to explain away the fireball phenomenon, all to no avail.

Some say it is an elaborate hoax, but the only way to find out is to travel to Nong Khai and check out river scene and the carnivals that villagers organise to celebrate the now famous legendary serpent.
Festivities run from 10 to 16 October, along the Mekong River bank, in Phon Pisai district in Nong Khai province. There are also corresponding celebrations on the Lao side of the river and no shortage of theories on whether Thailand’s neighbours, on the opposite bank, may know more than they are admitting on what causes the spectacle.

But there is no denying the fact that there is something almost mystical that causes the fireballs to erupt from the surface of the river, and villagers are taking no chances, hence the religious activities at various temples in the district to appease the Naga.
Visitors can participate in a traditional "Tak Bat Thevo" ceremony, or the early morning alms giving to monks. It involves offering sticky rice wrapped in coconut leaves, presented on the important final days of the three-month Buddhist Lent.
In the evenings, during the festival week, people gather at the river bank for the Naga procession and cultural performance that reflect the rural village traditions of the northeast region.

If all goes to plan the highlight of the trip will be the amazing sight of the Naga fireballs erupting into the sky, a phenomenon that is very likely to prompt some light hearted banter and arguments at riverside food stalls over glasses of ale or the local rice whisky on their origin.

The most convenient way to reach Nong Khai is to take one of the many daily flights offered from Bangkok to Udon Thani, either on the national airline Thai Airways International, or one of the low-cost airlines. The flight takes 50 minutes and from Udon Thani, mini buses offer a 40 minute transfer to Nong Khai. An alternative is to take the rail service that runs every evening from Bangkok to Nong Khai.

Contact :
TAT Udon Thani, Tel. : 66 (0) 4232 5406-7
Nong Khai Provincial Administration Office, Tel. : 66 (0) 4242 0323
Website : www.tourismthailand.org
E-mail : tatudon@tat.or.th

Have you seen the dragon breathe?
By PHOOWADON DUANGMEE
THE NATION


Time once again, ladies and gentlemen, for the strange naga fireballs. We direct your attention to the waters of Nong Khai

This weekend the Mekong River will again erupt with its mysterious fireballs. What are they? Join the neverending debate and make up your own mind.

The phenomenon is as enigmatic as it is beautiful. Thousands of pink and red bursts of light - the "naga fireballs", sometimes called "ghost fireballs" - rise from the Mekong in Nong Khai on the Lao border.

It might as well be an episode in "The X-Files" sci-fi television series. It happens only at this time each year, under the full moon of the 11th lunar month, which falls on Monday on the old Laotian calendar.

The glowing spheres, the size of chicken eggs, hang in the air for a few minutes before disappearing, leaving in their wake astonishment, mystification and many, many questions.

A hoax? A miracle? Why only at this time of the year? Why Nong Khai?

Manas Kanoksil is one of the "myth busters". The local doctor has been observing and studying the fireballs for more than 10 years.

The science that he's applied tells him that the bizarre phenomenon is the combustion of natural gases released from the riverbed and heat drifting on the surface.

The combustion requires a complete set of perfectly natural occurrences, including the relative positions of the earth, sun and moon. Hence its occurrence on the last night of Buddhist Lent.

However, the local people tend to be more interested in swapping science for mythology.

Way back at the birth of legends, the story goes, Nong Khai and other settlements along the Mekong were created by the water serpents called nagas.

Only later was the saga imbued with Buddhist fancy: The Lord Buddha ascended to heaven for Lent to visit his mother, and his return during the full moon of the 11th lunar month was cause for rejoicing.

To show their delight, the nagas shot fireballs into the air.

The drama continues. A television crew once tried to convince witnesses that it was a hoax perpetrated by the Lao on the far side of the river. Unfortunately, the only proof was videotape of a few Lao firing their rifles into the air.

A painter living on the Thai bank, Manas Anuraksa, remains enchanted by the fireball phenomenon, regardless of the explanation.

"It's very peculiar, and we're not sure who or what causes it, but whatever it is, I believe this mythical event could make Nong Khai special enough to become a wonder of the world."

Manas is right. The sleepy little town, once known to visitors only as a place to get a cold beer before crossing the border to Laos, has become a popular destination thanks to the bizarre annual show.

Every year more than 300,000 people come to see the fireballs, and no fewer are expected this weekend, when they're scheduled to recur.

One way to watch them is to rent a motorcycle and ride eastward along the Mekong from Muang district to Phon Phisai and Rattanawapee.

Ask around about the best spots to stop - the riverbanks get quite crowded in places - and keep your eyes peeled from 6 to 9pm.

There will also be religious ceremonies marking the end of the three-month Lenten retreat, plus long-tailed-boat races, fireworks and illuminated floats.

Strictly sideshows, of course - you have to see the fireballs.