As the first fireball appeared in Phonpisai District just after darkness had fallen, spontaneous cheering from the spectators broke out. After the last fireball had vanished over the surface of the Mekong at 22:00, a count up took place which revealed the final tally.
Although the fireballs appear as regularly as clockwork at the end of the three-month-long Buddhist Lent, nobody has been able to explain what causes them. People living in districts on the Lao and Thai sides of the Mekong attribute the fireballs to a legendary being known as a naga.
This creature is something between a dragon and a large snake and is said to spit the balls of fire into the sky. The happening has turned into a major event that draws tourists from all over Thailand.
Apinan Posayanont is attached to the Culture Ministry and was on hand yesterday to preside over ceremonies paying homage to the naga. 12GO ASIA can supply tickets for travel to locations throughout Thailand even when key events like the naga fireballs are taking place.
Nong Khai dragon balls light up night sky over Mekong River
News in Asia
Thousands of tourists lined the banks of the Mekong River on Tuesday evening for the annual phenomenon of the naga fireballs. They were not disappointed as local officials reported a total of 800 of the glowing balls lit up the sky over the course of the evening. This was 200 more than in 2014.