The Naga Rocket of Thailand

(This article was first published in Small World Ezine on 15 October 2002)

 

The Mekong river is the third longest river in the world.
Originated from the snow of the Himalayas, she flows from 
Tibetan plateau through the south of China, Myanmar, 
Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and into the South China Sea in 
the south of Vietnam. Total length of 4,200 km.  This 
waterway has been the crucial lifeline to the people of 
Indochina. The term Mekong is actually 2 words -- "Mae" 
(mother -- our term for rivers) and Kong (which is the real 
name of this river). It's sometimes written "Mekhong". 
That's the same river.

Because of her length and depth, as well as the strong tide,
there are many mysterious legends about our mother Mekong.


Of all the myths, this Naga's rocket is one of a few that 
remains unexplained.

The Naga is an underwater creature from Asian mythology 
(from South to South East Asia -- similar to Chinese's
Dragon). Superior to humans, it inhabits sub-aquatic 
paradises, living at the bottom of rivers, lakes and seas. 
It is the keeper of the life-energy that is stored in the 
water of springs, wells and ponds. It is also the guardian
of the rich of the seas -- corals, shells and pearls. Naga 
is also protecting the wealth and productivity of tropical 
waters. If it does not rain much, we said Phya Naga 
(pa-ya-na-ga, meaning the great naga, or the king of nagas) 
-- or Nagas (there could be more than one) do(es) not give 
the water to the earth. Naga is the king of all water 
creatures, including snakes.

Phya Naga also had important roles in different events in 
Lord Buddha's teaching mission. That's why you'll always see
sculptures of Nagas in Buddhist temples. Here's a photo of 
a seven-headed Naga protecting Lord Buddha.

Here is the Thai Naga

Since people had found numbers of caves under the Mekong,
there were talks that the caves were the residences of 
Mekong's Nagas. Legend goes on that there are secret paths
or tunnels from under the Mekong to caves on the dry land
in different landscapes in Laos and Thailand.

This phenomenon "Bung Fai Phya Nak" (in Lao and North-
Eastern Thai dialects, or Naga's rockets happens EVERY 
YEAR only on the full moon night of the eleventh lunar 
month. And as if it's not amazing enough -- the day is the 
last day of the three-month Buddhist Lent. (It's also the 
day people all over Indochina celebrate with various 
festivals. Provinces by rivers will celebrate with boat 
events such as boat race, illuminated boats, etc. This time 
of the year the rivers are usually full). 


We call it "rocket" but "Bung Fai Phya Nak" is actually
a number of fireballs erupted from what seems to be nowhere
in the Mekong in the area of Phon Phisai (pronounced Porn-
Pee-sigh -- a district in Nong Khai province of Thailand),
where the river is being the natural border between 
Thailand and Laos. Nobody knows exactly when the fireballs 
were first witnessed. To senior villagers, the phenomenon is 
one of their earliest memories. People seem to accept the 
explanation that this is Phya Naga of the Mekong celebrating
the end of Buddhist lent.

The small and quiet district of Phon Phisai has been 
welcoming thousands of tourists in this time of the year
(actually only in this day) since no one remembered. And
according to the records, the fireballs were always there.
Tourists have never been disappointed.


There are theories about how this happens. Pure miracle,
gas, or human. I think the third is the most convincing
because it must be almost impossible for a natural 
phenomenon to always occur on exactly the same night of the 
year. The interesting part is they could never find who and 
how. It could be Thais or Laotians. (I seem to think it's
the Thais LOL). And since the Mekong is very wide and wild, 
it is not easy to find out. People have been trying, though.


What do you think? Luckily, we do not have the alien theory
yet. Or there will be more to prove. 


Since the photos of the fairies, Nessie, and the crop-
circles are already revealed (by confessions) to be human's 
works. I guess this phenomenon, which is as mysterious,
will be eventually revealed so. 


Now, we just enjoy the festivals along the Mekong river.

This year the end of Buddhist Lent falls on the 21st of 
October. I could be able to have a photo for you to see 
then. Not promising.

Article and web forum "Naga Fire"

Note: Later the movie "15 Kam Duan 11" and some other TV documentaries have revealed the truth that these rockets are man-made. The popularity of the show to dropped dramatically. We can, still, go there and watch the light show during the festival for fun.