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Naga Fireballs
Every year on the full moon, glowing balls rise from the Mekong River. The Naga—a mythical serpent—spits them from the depths. Science has explanations. Believers say it's the Naga.
Ancient - Present
Mekong River, Thailand
10000+ witnesses
The Naga Fireballs are glowing balls that rise from the Mekong River during the Buddhist festival of Wan Ok Phansa.
The Phenomenon
According to documented accounts:
The fireballs:
- Rise from the river
- Glow reddish pink
- Float silently into the sky
- Occur on the full moon night
- In late October
The Legend
Local belief attributes them to:
- The Naga, a mythical serpent
- The Naga celebrates Buddha’s return
- By spitting fireballs
- It lives in the Mekong
- The event marks the end of Buddhist Lent
The Event
Every year:
- Thousands gather at Nong Khai
- The fireballs appear
- Ranging from 20 to thousands seen
- They rise from the water
- And disappear into the sky
Scientific Explanations
Proposed explanations:
- Methane bubbles igniting
- Phosphine gas
- Thermal phenomena
- Deliberate firing by people
- None fully accepted
Controversy
In 2002:
- A Thai TV show claimed it was fake
- Showed Laotian soldiers firing tracer rounds
- This caused outrage
- Believers insist it’s natural
- The debate continues