- Naga fireballs
The Naga fireballs ( _th. บั้งไฟพญานาค, "bangfai payanak") are a phenomenon seen in the
Mekong river - inThailand (Nong Khai province andIsan ) and inLaos - in which glowing balls rise from depths. The balls are reddish in colour and about the size of an egg; they rise a couple of hundred metres before disappearing. The number of fireballs is variable, being reported at between tens and thousands per night [http://nationmultimedia.com/search/page.arcview.php?clid=2&id=67912&usrsess= Real life fireballs a damp squib as rains come down, The Nation, Bangkok's Independent Newspaper] .Timing
The fireballs have been seen for centuries and are most often reported around the night of
Wan Awk Pansa - the end of the Buddhist rains retreat - in October, although displays have also been reported in March, April, May, June and September.Causes and beliefs
The cause of the phenomenon is unclear: it has been proposed that the balls are produced by the fermentation of
sediment in theriver , which can combust in the particular river and atmospheric conditions of the nights in question.A programme on Thai television in
2002 suggested that they were produced by tracer fire from soldiers on the Lao side of the river. This provoked furious protests from local villagers, who believe that the balls are produced by a serpent, the "Naga" or "Phaya Naga ", living in the river. Popular Thai languagenewspaper s also supported the Naga theory.The phenomenon has gained much prominence since the furore over the TV programme, as well as the
2002 film by directorJira Maligool , "Mekhong Full Moon Party ".Previously known as the "ghost fireballs", the event has now had its name changed and is being promoted as a
festival to attracttourist s.See also
*
Ball lightning
*St. Elmo's fire
*Will o' the wisp References
External links
* English translation of Thai report on Bang Fai Phaya Nark (Naga fireballs), which gives the myth associated with the phenomenon, as well as a scientific explanation. [http://www.thaifolk.com/doc/literate/payanak/payanak_e.htm]
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