Thailand's Nessie and the Naga fireballs

[Ivan Seeking]

THE story of Paya Naga, a legendary, serpentine monster, is often told in Nong Khai, Thailand. It is the local equivalent of Scotland’s Loch Ness monster, and every year, thousands of people gather on the banks of the Mekong in Nong Khai, north-eastern Thailand, as well as across the river in Laos, in hopes of catching a glimpse of the Paya Naga.

...Scientists on both sides of the border claim that the Naga fireballs are globules of methane and nitrogen created by decomposing organic matter trapped 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, they said, happens on the day when the sun is nearest to Earth. [continued]

http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2004/12/25/features/9509607

 

[Ivan Seeking]

THE MEKONG'S MYSTERIOUS FIREBALLS
http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/top/story/0,4136,78806,00.html

NAGA FIREBALLS OF NONG KHAI
"BUNG FAI PHAYA NAGA" [photo included]

...Sometimes these King of Naga fireballs, the size of goose eggs, float up languidly, two or three at a time. Other times, five to seven in a single sequence, and occasionally, up to nineteen of these balls of light float vigorously into the night sky.

Some rise in straight lines at an angle of 50o to 80o. Others are perpendicular to the surface of the Mekong River. It has been noted that if the fire-balls rise up from the mid-section of the river, they float towards shore, and if they rise along the shoreline, they float towards mid-stream.

It has been noted that when fireballs rise from the depths of the Mekong River and break the surface of the water with some force, they cause ripples and micro droplets of water are carried up by the balls of light thereby giving it a ghostly bluish tinge instead of the characteristic ruby-red colouring. [continued]

http://www.tatnews.org/emagazine/1611.asp

The mystery behind the appearance of the Naga fireballs on the Mekong River has been finally solved, and it is a natural occurrence, the Science Ministry said yesterday.

"The phenomenon is caused by flammable phosphine gas," deputy permanent secretary Saksit Tridech said. [continued]

http://www.100megsfree4.com/farshores/n03naga.htm

 

[R0man]

The legend of Paya Naga and the Naga fireballs in Thailand is a fascinating and intriguing one. It is often compared to the legend of the Loch Ness monster in Scotland, and it is clear that the local people hold this legend in high regard.

While some may dismiss the Naga fireballs as simply natural phenomena, it is important to recognize the cultural significance and belief surrounding this legend. It is a part of the local tradition and history, and it brings people together every year to witness the spectacle.

The scientific explanation for the Naga fireballs may provide a logical explanation for the phenomenon, but it does not take away from the magic and wonder that it holds for the people of Nong Khai and across the Mekong river. It is a reminder of the beauty and mystery of the natural world, and the power of storytelling and belief.

Ultimately, whether the Naga fireballs are a natural occurrence or a supernatural phenomenon, the legend of Paya Naga will continue to captivate and enchant people for generations to come. It is a part of the rich cultural heritage of Thailand and should be respected and celebrated.