This event occurs on the full moon of the eleventh lunar month, coinciding with the end of Buddhist Lent. Bang Fai Pahaya Naga is a very peculiar phenomenon that only occurs in the Mekong River whereby glowing balls, redish in colour, appear to mysteriously rise up from the depths of the river through the water and then on up high into the night sky. The number of fireballs seen varies from year to year with any where from 10 to 1,000. This phenomenon has been whitnessed year after year for centuries. Now, around half a million people from all of the world make the Journey to Nong Khai, or more particularly the town iof Phon Phisai, within Nong Khai Province, to whitness this amazing spectacle for themselves.

The allure of the event is partly the huge mystery that surrounds it. Many hear of it and immediately cry hoax, but then upon whitnessing the phenomenon first had are not so sure!

The time of the Fireball phenomenon coincides with the end of Buddhist Lent, a time at which the Buddha is said to descend back to earth from heaven. Local devout Buddhists believe that there is a Giant Serpent called 'Phraya Naga' which lives in the Mekong River, and that the mysterious balls of light are produced by the Phraya Naga in order to call to the Buddha to return to Earth.

The more scientifically minded have tried to find other explainations more acceptable to the scientific community. One of the more popular of which is that the balls are produced when gas, produced by fermentation of sediment in the river bed, is drawn out and combusted by the particular atmospheric conditions in conjuction with the gravitation pull of the moon (being at it's closest point to the earth) on the night in question. However, this remains an unproven hypothesis.

There are, ofcourse, those who whitness it and still believ it to be an elaborate hoax.... one that has been passed on and performed year after year for centuries. You will have to decide for your self.

Believer or not, a journey to Nong Khai to enjoy the event will not be wasted one. Aside from all the usual delights that Nong Khai has to offer, the festival which surrounds the night of Mekong Fireballs runs from 1st to 7th October. It is filled with huge street parties, live music, delicious food and drink of all varieties and performances of all kinds including traditional music and dance shows. With around half a million visitors to Nong Khai During this festival, the atmosphere is lively, to say the least. You'll also find stalls selling goods brought by vendors from all over Thailand - You'll not go wanting for souvenirs.

It is also no accident that this festival also coindices with the culmination of the Rowing Festival Season, when all of the biggest races take place.

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