Naga Mysterious Fireballs To Occur Again In October

[george]

Witness natural wonder of Naga Fireballs in Thailand

(OPENPRESS) September 15, 2011 -- The Nong Khai region of Thailand will see the occurrence of a mysterious phenomenon known as the Naga Fireballs next month.

Expected to take place between October 11th and 12th this year, the unusual natural event sees a series of ruby-coloured orbs of light emerging from the Mekong River, floating silently into the air before disappearing into the night sky.

Usually occurring between 18:00 and 21:00 local time, as many as 19 fireballs at a time can linger in the air for up to eight seconds, with almost 3,500 globes having been counted in 1999.

Debate rages over the explanation behind this phenomenon, with locals believing the fireballs are created by a mythological serpent-like creature known as the nak, while scientists believe they are caused by trapped swamp gas igniting.

The appearance of the Naga Fireballs is often watched by up to 40,000 people, with various festivities taking place to coincide with the event.

Locals wear traditional garb and carry images of the nak, while illuminated longboats can be seen on the waters.

To see more information about this event, go to www.tatnews.org.

-- Agencies 2011-09-15

[george]

Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naga_fireball

[george]

From TAT website:

As the full moon crests the horizon, ruby orbs of light begin to rise out of the Mekong River. As if by magic, they float silently into the air and then evaporate in the inky blackness, a phenomenon that awes and delights observers privileged to have seen them.

For centuries, their existence was a closely-held secret among villagers living near the northeastern town of Nong Khai. Then, the miraculous event was discovered by outsiders who now flock to the riverbanks each October full moon night in enormous numbers—400,000, at last count.

The silence of the fireballs’ ascent is emblematic of the mystery of their origins beneath the murky Mekong. Villagers claim that they are created by nak, mythical serpents as central to Thai belief and as enigmatic as the fireballs themselves.

The debate over their formation reflects a clash of cultures. On the one hand are the villagers for whom water and its denizens holds an almost mystical fascination. And little wonder: water nourishes the staple foods of rice and fish; it is central to every rite, festival, and procession from the Royal Barges to longboat races. Rivers and canals once supported most Thais’ boats and homes, and water explains every elemental mystery. For a people who cling dearly to cherished beliefs about water—and especially about its chief denizen, the nak (naga, in Sanskrit)—the scientists’ desire to find a rational explanation for the phenomenon, is an abomination. Faith and tradition vie with science.

Between 6 and 9 p.m. on the full moon night of the eleventh lunar month (October), the final night of Buddhist Lent, smokeless, scentless, soundless fireballs begin to rise from the deepest, Lao side of the Mekong. As many as 19 ruby globes at a time ascend to heights of 30 to 300 metres for three to eight seconds each, then simply vanish. In some years there are only a few; in 1999, nearly 3,500 fireballs were counted. They can be seen from ponds and a dozen riverbank villages but are most numerous near Phon Phisai.

The villagers’ assertion that the nak are responsible for the miracle rests on an ancient Buddhist legend.

During his final incarnation, Lord Buddha returned to earth after teaching his mother in Thavatimsa heaven at the end of Buddhist Lent. Phaya Nak and his followers welcomed him back by blowing fireballs into the sky. Since then, on the October full moon night, fireballs—regarded as the fiery breath of the nak, mirroring medieval European beliefs of fire-breathing dragons—have risen from the Mekong River, a miracle that people call "Bang Fai Phaya Nak," in recognition of the serpent king’s devotion.

Illuminated Boats

On the preceding afternoon, villagers in traditional dress parade through Phon Phisai, accompanied by bands, and floats bearing images of the nak. In the evening, illuminated longboats float by the crowds gathered on the riverbanks. When the procession has passed, onlookers settle in to wait for the magic to begin.

Many villagers claim to have glimpsed the gigantic nak, a belief supported in some respects by science. Paleontologists say gigantic aquatic snakes termed Madtsoids appeared worldwide in the Cretaceous period. Fossilised vertebra found in South American suggest a serpent 18 metres (60 feet) long and a metre in diameter, near the size the villagers say they have seen. The ancient creatures also bore crests resembling those of the naga. Could descendents of the Madtsoids inhabit the depths of the Mekong River, much in the way that the pseudoryx, once thought extinct has surfaced in the mountains of northeastern Laos?

But, on the other hand, science has challenged folk belief in the fireballs and fired a controversy. It began with skepticism by one of Nong Khai’s own citizens, Dr. Manas Kanoksilpa, who for a decade has conducted scientific experiments to explain the fireball phenomenon. Dismissing a human hand in their creation (a charge initially levelled at the villagers), he says that the Bang Fai Phaya Nak are globules of methane and nitrogen formed from decomposed organic matter trapped in pools deep beneath the Mekong. When the balls break the water’s surface, they self-combust and remain alight until they eventually run out of fuel and fade. This is the explanation generally given for the formation of swamp gas and will-o’-the-wisp.

In 2002, the Ministry of Science and Technology appointed a committee of experts to study the issue. The team collected soil and water samples, developed a submarine robot to probe the riverbed, and set up eight gas-collecting and gas-monitoring stations in swamps and rivers where sightings had been reported. After a two-year study, they concurred with Dr. Manas that the fireballs are caused by the sun warming organic matter on the riverbed, causing it to decompose into flammable phosphine and methane gas and combust in the presence of ionised atomic oxygen. This explains why the fireballs are of uniform colour, do not emit flares, smoke or sound, and eventually dissipate without a trace.

Tracking studies have indicated that the phenomenon occurs in March to May, and September and October, when the earth is closest to the sun. But the committee sidestepped the question of how the fermented matter could form in swiftly-running water. Anticipating adverse reaction to their investigations, the Ministry announced that the Royal Thai Navy would also monitor the fireballs with equipment installed along the riverbanks.

Naturally, the findings have been disputed by Nong Khai residents who see their time-honoured beliefs challenged by what they view as attempts to portray them as superstitious country bumpkins.

Secular conviction or swamp gas? Superstition or science?

The debate rages on. What cannot be disputed is the fireballs’ beauty. For those who have seen them, they are wondrous, whatever the explanation. So, each full moon night in October, spectators gather on the riverbanks to await the miracle. And secretly hope for a chance sighting of the nak himself.

-- TAT 2011-

[kwonitoy]

Between 6 and 9 p.m. on the full moon night of the eleventh lunar month (October), the final night of Buddhist Lent, smokeless, scentless, soundless fireballs begin to rise from the deepest, Lao side of the Mekong. As many as 19 ruby globes at a time ascend to heights of 30 to 300 metres for three to eight seconds each, then simply vanish. In some years there are only a few; in 1999, nearly 3,500 fireballs were counted. They can be seen from ponds and a dozen riverbank villages but are most numerous near Phon Phisai.

I live just south of Phon Phisai and have been to see the Naga fireballs 3 times. The first 8 years ago was quite a peacfull affair but last year it was a nuthouse. A procession of lighted barges on the river, followed by thousands of candles floating by, and 10's of thousand's of drunken people on shore throwing fireworks and aiming sparkler's out towards the river (to encourage the Naga they say) makes for difficult viewing.

From reading the newspaper I was expecting to see a globe of gas rise slowly from the river. What I did see was something come directly out of the water that looked more like a bottle rocket. Something comes out of the river,red in colour, shoots upwards in an arc and finishes with a popping sound. The Mekong river that time of year is fast and very deep, so if it planted I'll be dammed it I know how.

We've seen them every time we've gone and if you have the chance to go it's a fun time. It takes me 1/2 hour to get there and about 3-4 hours to get home. The traffic is unbelievable

[PattayaParent]

smokeless, scentless, soundless fireballs begin to rise from the deepest, Lao side of the Mekong

It's a practical joke played by the Laos, there's probably hundreds of them pissing themselves laughing on the other side of the Mekong.

[Semper]

Nope, it's just a stunt.

[SweatySock]

Spent 6 hours sitting on the banks of the Mekong around 5 years ago and saw zip, zilch, zero, nada, nothing. Local myth and a total waste of time.

[onionluke]

The sunset into Thailand from the roof of the Santipab Hotel in Savavaket was without doubt the biggest and most beautiful i ever beheld setting the sky on fire and creating an amber dusk . That was a while back when the immigration point was a wooden hut on the bank of the Mekong .

[mca]

I'm rather more concerned that more than triple the number of posters voted that it wasn't a natural phenomenon than those who voted it was.

[lovelomsak]

I believe it is a natural thing. But I also hope no one ever figures out how it happens.

[lovelaos]

It has to be seen to be believed. I'm a believer

[Moonrakers]

I'm rather more concerned that more than triple the number of posters voted that it wasn't a natural phenomenon than those who voted it was.

It's really a dragon you know.

[welsh1]

I'm rather more concerned that more than triple the number of posters voted that it wasn't a natural phenomenon than those who voted it was.

It's really a dragon you know.

Welsh Dragon

[welsh1]

It has to be seen to be believed. I'm a believer

Edited September 15, 2011 by welsh1

[welsh1]

It has to be seen to be believed. I'm a believer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfuBREMXxts

[SamuiMann]

Here is the video.

I will say Human made.

[bkkjames]

I guess I better hurry and by my package tour...8 billion baht to promote something in another country is a miracle indeed.

[kokesaat]

I've seen it......about 20 fireballs over the course of several hours. But no way jose do I believe it. Is there any similar natural phenomenon that occurs on a schedule like the naga festival? geysers, earthquakes, volcanoes.......they're natural occurring events. Naga? No.

[phuturatica]

Whether its a natural phenomenon or not, it's still very pretty. If it keeps hope and faith alive in people then why the hell not?

[apetley]

The time I witnessed the event it was so obviously fireworks as to be laughable.

Great excuse for a piss up though!

[hyperdimension]

It took 16 posts for someone to post either a picture or video, when really they should be included in the original news article when writing about such a visual phenomenon. Why are news articles so averse to multimedia and prefer to use only plain text? Is it laziness?

[Latindancer]

There are also fireworks set off to "encourage" the Naga spirits. So it's important to not get the two confused. The video above shows balls rising slower than fireworks would, but quite a bit faster than I would expect gas to......especially if it is burning up at the same time ! It must be natural, but I'd like to see it.......but not get caught in the traffic jam later. One person said it was unbelievable....

Edited September 16, 2011 by Latindancer