Naga fireballs (Thai: บั้งไฟพญานาค; RTGS: bang fai phaya nak), also known as bung fai phaya nak or "Mekong lights" and formerly "ghost lights",[1] are a phenomenon said to be seen annually on the Mekong River. Glowing balls are alleged to naturally rise from the water high into the air.[2] The balls are said to be reddish and to range in size from smaller sparkles up to the size of basketballs. They quickly rise up to a couple of hundred metres before disappearing. The number of fireballs reported varies between tens and thousands per night.[3] The phenomenon is locally attributed to phaya nak, a giant serpent (Nāga) said to live in the Mekong.[1]
The tracks of two Naga fireballs (at left) rising vertically into the sky before petering out near the top of the photo. The other tracks are of sky lanterns or fireworks.
The fireballs are most often reported around the night of Wan Ok Phansa at the end of Buddhist Lent in late-October.[3] Naga fireballs have been reported over an approximately 250 km (160 mi) long section of the Mekong River centered approximately on Phon Phisai in the Phon Phisai District. Fireballs have also been reported rising from smaller rivers, lakes and ponds in the region. The fireballs were called "ghost lights" by locals until the mid-1980s, when the local council officially named them "phaya nak lights". In 2018 one observer noted that while the light phenomenon is "hundreds of years old", the new name Phaya Nak lights is only about 35 years old."[1][4]
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (August 2017)
Although the fireballs are regularly seen on the river during the Phayanak Festival, a 2002 iTV documentary showed Lao soldiers firing tracer rounds into the air across the river from the festival. Skeptic Brian Dunning suggests that it would be impossible for anyone across the half-mile river to hear a gunshot because it would take 2.5 seconds for the sound to travel to the spectators, and by then the crowd watching would have already noticed the light and started cheering, drowning out any sound to reach them.[5] Thai biologist Jessada Denduangboripant analysed footage of a Naga fireball event and concluded that the effect was caused by the firing of flare guns from the other side of the river.[6][7] A 2021 official investigation by Lao authorities during a COVID-19 lockdown and curfew, concluded "In response to the news in foreign media, I would like to state that it is extremely unlikely that anyone could have fired weapons or flare ammunition without our knowledge on that night. We ensured a heavy police presence through the night and did not encounter any incidents".[8]
Some individuals have attempted to explain the phenomenon scientifically. One explanation is that the fireball is a result of flammable phosphine gas generated by the marshy environment.[9] Dunning writes that such fireballs are very unlikely to spontaneously ignite, and would not stay lit when at the speeds the fireballs travel, and that there is no science that can explain "the Naga Fireballs to be naturally produced burning gas bubbles."[5]
A similar explanation involves a phenomenon seen in plasma physics: free-floating plasma orbs[10] created when surface electricity (e.g., from a capacitor) is discharged into a solution. However, these are produced under controlled conditions during plasma ball experiments using high voltage capacitors, microwave oscillators, or microwave ovens, rather than naturally occurring.[11][12]
^ abcBiggs, Andrew (28 October 2018). "A Spiritual land". Bangkok Post. No. Brunch. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
^Knoblauch, Jessica (15 March 2010). "5 natural events that science can't explain". Mother Nature News. Retrieved 2018-10-29.
^ abDuangmee, Phoowadon (21 September 2011). . The Nation. Archived from the original on 2018-07-12. Retrieved 2018-10-29.
^"Naga Fireball Festival 2020 – Thailand's Most Mysterious Festival". www.holidify.com. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
^ abDunning, Brian (December 8, 2009). "Skeptoid #183: The Naga Fireballs". Skeptoid. Retrieved 2011-11-14.
^Krausz, Tibor (4 July 2016). "Myth busters: Thai scientists debunk sweating crystals, boiling oil and other superstitions". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
^"Mystery Of The Naga Fireballs At Mekong River". MessageToEagle.com. 2016-02-12. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
^Phonevilay, Latsamy (2021-10-29). "Authorities in Laos Respond to Thai Conspiracy Theory on Naga Fireballs". Laotian Times. Retrieved 2021-10-29.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Naga fireballs.
"Bang Fai Phaya Nark (Naga fireballs)". Translated by Manowongsa, Aketawan. 7 Feb 2003. English translation of Thai report of the myth and science
"The giant snake water spirits : The Nagas". Magie du Bouddha [Magic of Buddha].
Reviewsedit
ກຳເນີດບັ້ງໄຟພະຍານາກ [Generation of rocket fire] (Oct 30, 2012) on YouTube
Mysterious 'Dragon' FIREBALLS Rise From River EVERY Year: The Naga Fireballs (July 6, 2017) on YouTube
Thousands of people will flock to witness the Naga fireballs (Sep 10, 2014) Lao NEWS on LNTV on YouTube
March 14, 2024
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Naga fireballs Thai bngifphyanakh RTGS bang fai phaya nak also known as bung fai phaya nak or Mekong lights and formerly ghost lights 1 are a phenomenon said to be seen annually on the Mekong River Glowing balls are alleged to naturally rise from the water high into the air 2 The balls are said to be reddish and to range in size from smaller sparkles up to the size of basketballs They quickly rise up to a couple of hundred metres before disappearing The number of fireballs reported varies between tens and thousands per night 3 The phenomenon is locally attributed to phaya nak a giant serpent Naga said to live in the Mekong 1 The tracks of two Naga fireballs at left rising vertically into the sky before petering out near the top of the photo The other tracks are of sky lanterns or fireworks Contents 1 Description 2 Explanations 3 See also 4 References 5 External links 5 1 ReviewsDescription editThe fireballs are most often reported around the night of Wan Ok Phansa at the end of Buddhist Lent in late October 3 Naga fireballs have been reported over an approximately 250 km 160 mi long section of the Mekong River centered approximately on Phon Phisai in the Phon Phisai District Fireballs have also been reported rising from smaller rivers lakes and ponds in the region The fireballs were called ghost lights by locals until the mid 1980s when the local council officially named them phaya nak lights In 2018 one observer noted that while the light phenomenon is hundreds of years old the new name Phaya Nak lights is only about 35 years old 1 4 This section needs expansion You can help by adding to it August 2017 Explanations editSee also Ball lightning St Elmo s fire and Will o the wisp Although the fireballs are regularly seen on the river during the Phayanak Festival a 2002 iTV documentary showed Lao soldiers firing tracer rounds into the air across the river from the festival Skeptic Brian Dunning suggests that it would be impossible for anyone across the half mile river to hear a gunshot because it would take 2 5 seconds for the sound to travel to the spectators and by then the crowd watching would have already noticed the light and started cheering drowning out any sound to reach them 5 Thai biologist Jessada Denduangboripant analysed footage of a Naga fireball event and concluded that the effect was caused by the firing of flare guns from the other side of the river 6 7 A 2021 official investigation by Lao authorities during a COVID 19 lockdown and curfew concluded In response to the news in foreign media I would like to state that it is extremely unlikely that anyone could have fired weapons or flare ammunition without our knowledge on that night We ensured a heavy police presence through the night and did not encounter any incidents 8 Some individuals have attempted to explain the phenomenon scientifically One explanation is that the fireball is a result of flammable phosphine gas generated by the marshy environment 9 Dunning writes that such fireballs are very unlikely to spontaneously ignite and would not stay lit when at the speeds the fireballs travel and that there is no science that can explain the Naga Fireballs to be naturally produced burning gas bubbles 5 A similar explanation involves a phenomenon seen in plasma physics free floating plasma orbs 10 created when surface electricity e g from a capacitor is discharged into a solution However these are produced under controlled conditions during plasma ball experiments using high voltage capacitors microwave oscillators or microwave ovens rather than naturally occurring 11 12 See also editChir Batti St Elmo s fireReferences edit a b c Biggs Andrew 28 October 2018 A Spiritual land Bangkok Post No Brunch Retrieved 29 October 2018 Knoblauch Jessica 15 March 2010 5 natural events that science can t explain Mother Nature News Retrieved 2018 10 29 a b Duangmee Phoowadon 21 September 2011 Let there be lights The Nation Archived from the original on 2018 07 12 Retrieved 2018 10 29 Naga Fireball Festival 2020 Thailand s Most Mysterious Festival www holidify com Retrieved 2020 04 30 a b Dunning Brian December 8 2009 Skeptoid 183 The Naga Fireballs Skeptoid Retrieved 2011 11 14 Krausz Tibor 4 July 2016 Myth busters Thai scientists debunk sweating crystals boiling oil and other superstitions South China Morning Post Retrieved 4 March 2017 Mystery Of The Naga Fireballs At Mekong River MessageToEagle com 2016 02 12 Retrieved 2020 04 30 Phonevilay Latsamy 2021 10 29 Authorities in Laos Respond to Thai Conspiracy Theory on Naga Fireballs Laotian Times Retrieved 2021 10 29 Science Ministry solves Naga fireballs mystery The Nation Archived from the original on 2015 04 30 Retrieved 2013 11 08 not specific enough to verify Free Floating Plasma Orb American Physical Society Naga Fireballs Science Myth or Hoax Hostelbookers com Blog 2011 10 07 Retrieved 2020 04 30 The Naga Fireballs Skeptoid Retrieved 2020 04 30 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Naga fireballs Bang Fai Phaya Nark Naga fireballs Translated by Manowongsa Aketawan 7 Feb 2003 English translation of Thai report of the myth and science The giant snake water spirits The Nagas Magie du Bouddha Magic of Buddha Reviews edit ກຳເນ ດບ ງໄຟພະຍານາກ Generation of rocket fire Oct 30 2012 on YouTube Mysterious Dragon FIREBALLS Rise From River EVERY Year The Naga Fireballs July 6 2017 on YouTube Thousands of people will flock to witness the Naga fireballs Sep 10 2014 Lao NEWS on LNTV on YouTube Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Naga fireball amp oldid 1213368011, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
