~the start of a new month after halloween night~

this morning i was clumsy.
it was raining, raining, raining.

my dad drove me out for breakfast before driving me back to work.
i opened the car door, reached out my arms to open up my umbrella.
juz when i've managed to do that, the door swung back.....
ouch~ the door 'kiap' my hand. =.=

den i got down the car. wanna cover my dad with the umbrella.
somehow i was unaware, the side of my umbrella knocked my dad's face.
LOL! we were laughing in the rain xD

hm. last night i was surfing the net.
from hi5 to friendster to facebook to facebook ''groups'' to thailand etc.
and i found some UNEXPLAINABLY INTERESTING facts..........

about the history of Nong Khai (in the north-eastern part of Thailand),
which is situated on the Mekong River, one of the world's major rivers.
it is the 11th-longest river in the world, and 7th longest in Asia.


Every year the Mekong River in the Nong Khai region of northern Thailand is home to a strange, beautiful and baffling phenomenon; the Naga Fireballs (known locally as Bung Fai Paya Nak).

The fireball event is an unexplained phenomenon that generally takes place on the full moon night of the 11th lunar month, which also coincides with the end of the Buddhist Lent, red, pink and orange fireballs emerge from the river and slowly rise into the night sky, emitting no sound or smell, only to disappear into thin air without a trace.
The glowing spheres, the size of eggs, hang in the air for a few minutes before disappearing, leaving in their wake astonishment, mystification and many, many questions.


This extraordinary miracle happens only once a year.

Of course, there are detractors, researchers who have spent years of study attempting to explain away the fireball phenomenon, all to no avail.

The unexplained nature of the event and its coincidence with such a religious day has led local residents to believe the fire comes from the mythical Naga (a serpent), produced as a gesture of homage to the Lord Buddha.

The legend was then imbued with Buddhist fancy. The Lord Buddha ascended to heaven for Lent to visit his mother, and his return during this particular full moon was cause for rejoicing. To show their delight, the Nagas shot fireballs into the air. However to some believers, this was the breath of the Naga.

Naga or Phaya Naga

the Buddha with 7 Nagas

But Manas Kanoksil, who has been observing and studying the fireballs for more than 10 years, is convinced the bizarre phenomenon is the combustion of natural gases released from the riverbed.

Regardless, the drama continues, and the number of spectators (including tourists) rises annually.

Couldnt believe the sources i've found? the photos cannot be trusted? watch these videos. Of which one was recorded by the witness/spectator of the crowd during the event at Mekong River, and the other, "Mekong Full Moon Party" is a Thai movie (only the part of Naga fireballs).

Naga Caught by U.S. Servicemen

One of the more fascinating stories of the Naga concerns a photograph that shows several United States servicemen holding a silver, eel-like fish that measured around 23-feet long. The picture is often dated from 1968, 1973 or even 1996. The story goes that the men caught the fish, believed to be the Naga, from the Mekong River and it was taken back to the United States to study, but unfortunately died a month later. Other versions have the several men depicted in the photo dying in horrible fashion, as if some curse had been placed on them for taking and killing a Naga. However, in an interesting twist to the story, many people believe the photograph was actually taken on Coronado Island in California, after a 23-foot oarfish washed up at the Naval Training Center in September 1996. Despite the discrepancies, many people still believe the photograph to be evidence of the existence of the Naga and it is still displayed and sold throughout Thailand to this day.

If you have a chance to go to Nong Khai, this phenomenon should not be missed. The fireballs can be viewed from 18:00 to 02:00 but it is should be noted that the total number of fireballs appearing is unpredictable - sometime only fifty but more often than not one hundred to a thousand or more. Despite this, a good time is guaranteed.

Good places where you can view the fireballs include Ban Nam Pay, Ban Ta Muang, Taan Choom, Pahk Kaad, Kaeng Aa-Hong, Amphur Beung Kan, Wat Aa-Hong Sila Wart, Ban Aa-Hong, Tambon Ho Kham, Amphur Beung Kan, Amphur Phon Phisai Amphur Rattana Wapi District, and Amphur Rak Kart.

Whatever it is, this event could make Nong Khai a wonder of the world.

i wish im able to witness that phenomenon if i have the chance to be there too. (tho i'll be there next week, but it's only one night)