There is a river in Thailand that emits fireballs, referred to as Naga’s Fireballs. The phenomenon takes place in the Nong Khai province along the Mekong River and has occurred each year for hundreds of years. On the 11th lunar month, coinciding with the end of the Buddhist Lent, pink, red and orange fireballs jump from the river into the sky for about three days, and the occasion is celebrated with a festival. Legend states that the fireballs are caused by a mythical serpent creature from the river, but scientists believe they could be the result of heated gas being released from decomposed plants and animals on the bottom of the river.
More about the Mekong River:
- The Mekong River runs for 2,610 miles (4,200 km) in Southeast Asia, from China to Vietnam.
- Fish from this river are estimated to provide the main source of protein for nearly 50 million people in Southeast Asia.
- The Mekong River Commission has stated that building hydroelectric dams in the river would provide as much as 8% of the area’s energy needs by 2025, but critics argue that dams could cut the fish supply by as much as half.
By Allison Boelcke
, Former Writer
Allison Boelcke, a digital marketing manager and freelance writer, helps businesses create compelling content to connect with their target markets and drive results. With a degree in English, she combines her writing skills with marketing expertise to craft engaging content that gets noticed and leads to website traffic and conversions. Her ability to understand and connect with target audiences makes her a valuable asset to any content creation team.