Fire Balls Shooting Skyward

[siamsam]

I've heard/known about this for a long time, as I'm sure the rest of you have. Never really researched it beyond asking locals udon/nong khai. Some "insist" that there's naga/pyana spewing out this phenonomina annually, same time, same place. Others claim they've actually seen the oversized sea snake. Amusingly a resturanter on the river bank told me he'd witnessed the serpant slither up the bank and gobble up a passer by ( maybe a tourist ?).

I've heard European scientists flock there and Thai's tell me that you can't get anywhere near the river due to the national interest creating collosal traffic jams. Anyway, the suspense is killing me. Thaivisa, Can't think of a better place to get some feedback. By the end of the day I'm sure I'll be fully enlightened.

[Buff-horns]

its been discussed numerous times guess you could do a search in the archives.

[siamsam]

I'll head there right away

[BambinA]

Boon Bung Fai

The Mekong's Mysterious Fireballs

New Paper, Singapore, Dec 6, 2004

Khon Kaen, Thailand -- FOR two nights every year, thousands gather along the banks of the Mekong River to watch a strange phenomena the Thais call the Naga fireballs. The pinkish glowing balls, the size of chicken eggs, apparently emerge noiselessly from the river's surface, rise in straight-lined succession before disappearing in the thin night air.

The fireball spectacle, or what the locals call Bung Fai Pha Ya Nak, reportedly occurred more than 200 years ago. It happens on the full moon night of October, along a 300km stretch in Nong Khai, the north-east province of Thailand, bordering Laos.

It was the highlight of a five-day educational media trip to north-east Thailand and Laos that I was a part of, along with others from the Singapore print and broadcast industry.

The fireballs have become the main draw for the two-day celebrations that include light shows, boat contests, food offerings and traditional Thai shows.

However, there is no guarantee that they will appear every year.

The mood was electric as the crowd of about 10,000 started filling in as early as 6pm. They would stay till midnight, sustained by barbecued giant freshwater-fish, tom yam soup and Thai beer.

You will know it when the fireballs are out. The people will cheer, says Mr Nittaya Aumbhitaya, director of Tourism of Thailand of the nearby Khon Kaen province.

'You look up and they're in the air,' he says.

Asked if he has seen the fireballs himself, he says that he has every year.

'Last year, I saw three from here,' pointing at the river next to our dining table.

What causes the fireballs remains a mystery. But theories abound.

SUPERNATURAL?

The Nong Khai Thais, being devout Buddhists, believe the fireballs come from Naga, or serpent, as a form of spiritual homage to the Buddha.

Our tourist guide, Ms Veena Puntace, says of the fireballs: 'Initially, I believed the scientific explanation of the fireballs. But then I meditate too, and also, how do you explain the timing?'

The end of Buddhist lent coincides with the eleventh full moon, which is when the fireballs occur.

SCIENTIFIC?

Scientists however, have another explanation. They hold that the fireballs are the result of a series of natural forces at play.

In October, there is an abundance of plant and animal life decomposing at the bottom of the Mekong. These emit flammable natural gases as the sun beats down on the river. At night, these gases are released by the gravitational pull of the moon, at its strongest when it's full.

In a New York Times article, the Tourism of Thailand authorities apparently claimed that they had the chemical composition of the fireball sorted out: methane-nitrogen gas with aerobic and anaerobic bacteria that sparks when it rises and mixes with oxygen.

OR MAN-MADE?

A Thai TV station said that the fireballs were actually rounds of tracer ammunitions. The tracer rounds were supposedly fired on the other side of the riverbank by Laos soldiers who were using AK47 rifles.

This version did not go down well with Buddhists. Hundreds were reported to have gathered to protest against the TV station's version of the event last year. Mr Surasee Pathum, a Nong Khai film director who has completed a documentary on the fireballs, said: 'How many bullets will the Laos soldiers fire? A lot. Now, why would the Laos soldiers do that, to fool the world?

'Besides, the colour and the speed of the Naga fireballs are very different from that of bullets.,' he said

ALIENS

Watching the documentary VCD I bought at the site, I can't help but think of UFOs. But let's not go there.

It would have been easier for me to write what I think about the fireballs had I witnessed it myself. Sadly, in the four hours I waited, the only things that shot up from the riverbank were the numerous fireworks set off by excited members of the crowd.

By 10pm, the crowd had mostly thinned, with the intention of coming back the next night, which, after all, was Laos' full moon. The joke that night was that Naga was a Laotian. So it would definitely fire those balls the second night.

Whatever the Naga fireball was, the general consensus among the Singapore media group was of acceptance.

The phenomena has moved a large number of people into believing in something that gives them hope, faith and I believe, happiness. The Naga fireballs have become inspirational, something to look forward to each year.

[bdenner]

IMO - Definitly a tourist gimic to get the punters in. Works too.

[bkkmadness]

It's been recorded for hundreds of years I think so not a tourist gimmick, especially as it wasn't widely advertised to tourists until the filmn "Mekhong Full Moon Party' came out.

I think methane gas is the best explantion, the fireballs don't come from the banks but direct from the river so cannot be tracer bullets, besides they are soundless.

Worth going to see though, I wen a few years ago and a great buzz in the crowd when the first lot goes up. Not one foreign tourst did I see there at that time either, it was all Thai which was surprising.

[Nignoy]

It's been recorded for hundreds of years I think so not a tourist gimmick, especially as it wasn't widely advertised to tourists until the filmn "Mekhong Full Moon Party' came out. 

I think methane gas is the best explantion, the fireballs don't come from the banks but direct from the river so cannot be tracer bullets, besides they are soundless.

Worth going to see though, I wen a few years ago and a great buzz in the crowd when the first lot goes up.  Not one foreign tourst did I see there at that time either, it was all Thai which was surprising.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

this phenomenon was witnessed by british soldiers in 1963 but was ridiculed by officers at the time, but was seen again in 65 by a different group this time there was an officer who actually put in an official report about it ,he got into trouble because at that time , we were btish soldiers in thailand and laos nignoy

[Bangkokbutcher]

couple of bits to read up on here:

http://www.tatnews.org/emagazine/1611.asp

another link

http://www.mutmee.net/050060_maekong_fireballs.htm

[bkkmadness]

Just another added note, I do know a guy who's wife lives in the area and supposedly though you are most likely to see the fireballs at this time, they have been witnessed at many times throughout the year lending a bit mnore weight to the "natural occurence" theories.

You know I actually joined thaivisa a couple of years back because of a thread on this. It really is amazing to see if only for the feel of riding a motorbike to the riverside and enjoying the buzz of the people around you. I recomend anyone in Thailand at this time to go and view it, as it is definately a great Thai experience.

[chownah]

It's a big party.....HOOOORAY!!!!

It brings in lots of money for the local businesses....HOOORAY!!!!!

There is not one shred of physical evidence that anything other than people setting off fireworks occurs.....HOOOORAY!!!!!

[penzman]

From the footage I've seen on TV, it definitely looked man made. Reminded me of tracer bullets, as seen on CNN's famous footage of the 1st attacks on Baghdad with Iraqis shooting skyward from the roof of buildings.

[bkkmadness]

Surely fireworks and tracer bullets will make some sound when fired and couldn't be set off in the water in the middle of the river, but from the riverbank?

I think the scientific opinion leans towards a natural gas build up in the river.

[penzman]

I can't imagine natural gas shooting up on an angle and straight line at such speed.

A silencer on a firearm would do it.

[bkkmadness]

The fireball goes almost straight up and curve off at the end from what I have seen. Surely a firearm would have to be fired by someone and since many of the fireballs come directly from the middle of the river how could that happen?

There has been reports and writings from monks for hundreds of years seeing these fireballs as well, so again that puts guns out of the question.

Surely the scientists would have worked it out by now if it was just someone firing a gun wouldn't they?

[chownah]

The fireball goes almost straight up and curve off at the end from what I have seen.  Surely a firearm would have to be fired by someone and since many of the fireballs come directly from the middle of the river how could that happen?

There has been reports and writings from monks for hundreds of years seeing these fireballs as well, so again that puts guns out of the question.

Surely the scientists would have worked it out by now if it was just someone firing a gun wouldn't they?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Boats is how things can happen in the middle of the river....I've never heard of old records written by monks....you do hear alot of people saying that someone a long time ago said that they saw them but talk is cheap.....I have never heard of any credible scientific investigation into the phenomenon...some Thai academics have made wild speculations about how it COULD occur but I've never heard of anyone actually going to the site to examine and collect data...if they did they might get shot since this hole thing is a big money maker for the locals. All of the scientific speculation that I have seen seems half baked at best and for a scientist to try to pass this off as science indicates to me that the "scientist" doesn't even know what science is all about...it's laughable what they suggest many times...I could go on and on doing a critique of all of the "scientific" speculation but it is too time consuming......I want to stress that I am not saying that there isn't some 'supernatural' force at work here but I doubt it...whenever the bright light of science is truly focused on these sorts of 'supernatural' things it seems they always disappear.

[Kringle]

How many times does this need to be discussed? I mena are you also a believer of the lock ness monster or ghosts or flying saucers or any other BS???????????????????????????????

[bkkmadness]

Boats is how things can happen in the middle of the river

Its pretty clear when you go to watch it and you can see there are no boats on the river where the fireballs come up.

I want to stress that I am not saying that there isn't some 'supernatural' force at work here but I doubt it...whenever the bright light of science is truly focused on these sorts of 'supernatural' things it seems they always disappear.

I'm not suggesting anything supernatural as well, just a natural gas build up under water that is realeased. I think its a purely natural occurence.

I don't however believe its a grand scheme or scam by the Thais to make loads of money from tourism by firing tracer bullets into the air. I think if it was it would definately be promoted more to the foreigners that come to Thailand.

Edited July 22, 2005 by bkkmadness

[bkkmadness]

How many times does this need to be discussed? I mena are you also a believer of the lock ness monster or ghosts or flying saucers or any other BS???????????????????????????????

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't understand the link between what maybe a natural occurence in Thailand and Nessie.

Have you seen it Kringle or looked into it at any point? Perhaps you could offer us your opinion on what you think the 'fireballs' are?

[bkkmadness]

I have never heard of any credible scientific investigation into the phenomenon...some Thai academics have made wild speculations about how it COULD occur but I've never heard of anyone actually going to the site to examine and collect data...if they did they might get shot since this hole thing is a big money maker for the locals.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Excerpt from Time Magazine

One man not prepared to take the fireballs on faith is Nong Khai doctor and self-taught cosmographer Manas Kanoksin, who has spent 11 years trying to prove his theory that the fireballs are a natural phenomenon caused by pockets of methane bubbling up from the riverbed.

With mad-scientist intensity, he deluges me with data and baffles me with charts for hours. His hypothesis is that the Buddhist Lent full moon coincides with the period when the earth is passing closest to the sun. The sun's pull of gravity, he says, combined with a higher degree of UV radiation increases the concentration and volatility of oxygen at ground level that could cause existing methane escaping from the riverbed to spontaneously ignite. "In fact, it's not only one night per year," he insists. "The fireballs occur over several nights in October, and again in May when the earth swings closest to the sun again."

"Am I obsessed? Maybe," says the doctor, "but I am absolutely convinced that my theory is correct. If the fireballs are fake, the hoaxers would have to be more than 100 years old for a start. They'd have to be able to navigate a dangerous river in the dark, dodge the Thai and Lao patrol boats, and be incredibly good at keeping a secret."

Edited July 22, 2005 by bkkmadness

[Kringle]

IF and I do say "IF", there was ANYTHING that was to subsatnuate that this is REALLY happenning then I would go with it but science does not even come into the picture. GAG

[bkkmadness]

I don't follow what part you don't believe? You can't deny there are balls of light rising from the river in the area so what theory do you think is best to go with when it comes to expalining it, tracer bullets, fireworks, natural gas, the naga dragon or something else?

[RDN]

I suppose the blue pipe connected to the propane gas cylinder on the river bank has got nothing to do with it?

[bkkmadness]

I suppose the blue pipe connected to the propane gas cylinder on the river bank has got nothing to do with it?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Confession time RDN?

[RDN]

I suppose the blue pipe connected to the propane gas cylinder on the river bank has got nothing to do with it?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Confession time RDN?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[Bangkokbutcher]

If they are real or fake, I still reckon it's got to be worth a visit...

Will most definately be on my list of todo's next time we are over

[Bangkokbutcher]

By the way, does anybody know the dates for this and next year, by any chance??

[penzman]

I saw a computer animation on tv, there was a dead cow tumbling on the bottom of the river, then slowly buried by silt and gas pockets forming.

There would be teams and teams of scientists looking into this if it had any credible scientific value.

Does anyone know if these events "just happen" to occur at the same time as chinese tourist season?

[RDN]

I saw a computer animation on tv, there was a dead cow tumbling on the bottom of the river, then slowly buried by silt and gas pockets forming. 

There would be teams and teams of scientists looking into this if it had any credible scientific value.

Does anyone know if these events "just happen" to occur at the same time as chinese tourist season?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Apparently, in the latest edition of the Chinese dictionary, they've deleted the word "gullible".

[RDN]

If they are real or fake, I still reckon it's got to be worth a visit...

Will most definately be on my list of todo's next time we are over

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If I'm in the area at the right time of year, I will definitely go. My scepticism and curiosity have been aroused in equal measure!

[bkkmadness]

I saw a computer animation on tv, there was a dead cow tumbling on the bottom of the river, then slowly buried by silt and gas pockets forming. 

There would be teams and teams of scientists looking into this if it had any credible scientific value.

Does anyone know if these events "just happen" to occur at the same time as chinese tourist season?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Apparently, in the latest edition of the Chinese dictionary, they've deleted the word "gullible".

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Probaly a bit odd to have an englisgh word in the chinese dictionary aye RDN?

But I'll go and check it in the english dictionary right away.

Defo worth a look for anyone up in the area, just for the atmosphere fo all the people there. I think a lot of people who debunk this as just another thai scam would change there minds as well.

Again, always important to note it happens at many times of the year, so just tying it to something buddhist is not reasonable.