Naga Rockets of Nong Khai

Thousands of people gather each year in the northeastern province of Nong Khai at the end of the three-month Buddhist Lent, or Ok Phansa, to witness an unexplained natural wonder of the Mekong River. Ok Phansa day falls on the full-moon day of the eleventh lunar month, usually in October. Nong Khai rests on the banks of the Mekong River and  overlooks the people’s Democratic Republic of Laos.  The natural wonder consists of flames bursting up from the underwater of the Mekong and moving skyward before disappearing into the night. The flames have no smoke, or smell, or sound. Hey range in size from that of a thumb to that of an egg. They are pink, red-pink and green. The phenomenon starts around 6.00 PM and continues until 10.00 PM, depending on the site and the moon on that day. The people living on the banks of the Mekong call the colored flames “Naga Rocket”.

This wondrous phenomenon is linked with Buddhist beliefs. There is a story that the Lord Buddha went to preach to his mother in a heaven for three months until she attained enlightenment. It is said that when the Buddha returned to earth, he created a miracle by opening  all  the  worlds  to view. All levels of heaven, all levels of hell, and all continents were, therefore, laid bare and equidistant to the eyes.  Celestial beings created gold and silver staircases for the Buddha to come down. All Naga(mythical serpents)admired  the Buddha for his selfless dedication to the enlightenment of his mother, and for the gratitude he showed toward his mother for letting him assist her. To express their admiration, Naga spit fire from the underwater of the Mekong River to celebrate the conclusion of the three-month Buddhist lent or Rains Retreat.

Northeastern residents who come to watch the so-called Naga Rockets seem to believe that the fire really belongs to the Naga Some well-educated people from other regions of the country try to prove that the phenomenon has a scientific explanation. They explain that river.

On the full-moon day of the eleventh lunar month, the earth, the sun and moon are aligned resulting in high gravity in this area. Those seeking a scientific explanation claim that this accumulated biogas explodes of the high gravity, and subsequently spews forth. This scientific explanation is still an issue of argument among scientists themselves. They share the view that this “natural phenomenon “view that this“ is inexplicable. Its explanation is further compounded by the fact the colored balls shoot into the night sky with such force and rapidity that it is difficult to even take photographs of them. Many scientists have accepted that they cannot duplicate such an artificial flame as that of the Naga Rocket.

This natural wonder attracts a lot of people who head for Nong Buddhist Lent, causing traffic jams not normally seen this province. Major spots form which to view the Naga Rocket are Sangkhom District at Ban Pha Tang, Si Chiang Mai District at Wat Hin Mak Peng and Ban Kok chuat, Muang Nong Khai          District at Ban Si Kai, Phon Phisai District at Huai Luang and Rattana Wapi Minor District, Pat Khat on the Mekong River Bank and Kaeng Ahong and Bung Kan District a Ho Kham Sub-distri. If you stay in Nong Khai or Udon Thani, it is recommended you view this natural phenomenon at Sangkhom and Si Ching Mai Districts because the volume of traffic there is less than at other spots. Most of the visitors are likely to gather at Phon Phisai and Pak Khat Province.    If you stay in Sakon Nakhon District, you are advised to observe the Naga Rockets at Kang Ahong only, to prevent severe traffic congestion on Ok Phansa Day.

Believe it or not, all the districts mentioned above invite everyone to visit and experience the wonder of the Mekong River, the Naga Rockets.

Thai Airways International operates daily flights on the Bangkok-Udon Thani route Once in Udon- Thani, it is about 90 kilometers by car to Nong Khai.

Traditional Naga Rockets, Nong Kai, Nong Khai