The Mekong river fire balls

[lonelywombat]

I had a PM saying do not forget the Naga Fireballs on the Mekong

I thought that was in October but know very little about it.

I would like to do a cruise down the Mekong. Have heard many stories but little in detail

Love to hear more.

[TrongpaiExpat]

My, My but your considering a lot of trips from your usual perch in Pattaya. Good for you, but something tells me that your not really going anywhere.

It's on 4 October this year. I plan on being there and booked months ago. It's a big party Isaan style and there's no guarantee that you will actually see a fire ball emerging from the river. The events are well attended by hoards of Thais. Traffic backs up for miles and miles. Hotels jack up rates too.

I missed last year but went 2 and 3 years ago and nothing came out of the river where we were sitting. We went to Phon Phsai but it's celebrated all along the river. There were stages, music, dancing and lots of food and drinks. It does not draw out a lot of farangs.

[Brad the Impala]

I had a PM saying do not forget the Naga Fireballs on the Mekong



If you put Naga into the search box at the top of the page, and click on the search button, you will find feedback on this topic from a number of our members(excluding of course BG)

[ceejay]

I went to see this a couple of years ago and I really recommend it. I'd book a hotel now if I were you - Nong Khai is totally booked out months ahead of the festival. (I stayed in Nong Khai and travelled to Pon Phisi on the day). I travelled up by train from Bangkok to Nong Khai - leaves about 9.00 pm and arrives 9.00 am - the first class sleepers are pretty comfortable, and it saves a day of your holiday (as well as a day's hotel costs). Unless you are going with a friend though, you will be sharing with one other person.

If you do decide to go to Nong Khai, or anywhere in the area, then make some time to visit Sala Keo Kou - it's a sculpture park a few km outside town. I have some pictures on Flickr if you are interested:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wgcman/set ... 475971077/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/wgcman/sets/72157606475971077/)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wgcman/set ... 383325721/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/wgcman/sets/72157607383325721/)

[TrongpaiExpat]

More and more Thai seem to be going to this event every year. The hotels double their rates and fill to capacity. Thais take those huge tour buses on special package tours. This year I am staying at the BF family home, so I will not have to pay the inflated rates at a hotel. There's also a home stay package available to anyone.

You have to do some planing. The police made rt 212 and 222 one way, both lanes, after the event all the way to Udon. If your hotel was in the opposite direction your screwed.

Lao also has similar celebrations, less hectic I assume, anyone been there for Bangfai Phayanak?

Besides Phonphisai you can also go to Srichiagmai, Muang distric, Ratana Wapi, Pakkhat, or Bungkan. Get out a map.

That seems like a pretty cool event to witness. I guess its Thailand's very own version of the Aurora lights.

When I seen Bang Fai in the beginning, I thought it was related to the Bun BangFai festival in Issan (Rocket Festival), that had just passed a few weeks back. Totally different though.

Cool story though if you read the whole belief in the reasoning for the spectacle though.

[krobbie]

I went to see this a couple of years ago and I really recommend it. I'd book a hotel now if I were you - Nong Khai is totally booked out months ahead of the festival. (I stayed in Nong Khai and travelled to Pon Phisi on the day). I travelled up by train from Bangkok to Nong Khai - leaves about 9.00 pm and arrives 9.00 am - the first class sleepers are pretty comfortable, and it saves a day of your holiday (as well as a day's hotel costs). Unless you are going with a friend though, you will be sharing with one other person.

If you do decide to go to Nong Khai, or anywhere in the area, then make some time to visit Sala Keo Kou - it's a sculpture park a few km outside town. I have some pictures on Flickr if you are interested:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wgcman/set ... 475971077/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/wgcman/sets/72157606475971077/)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wgcman/set ... 383325721/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/wgcman/sets/72157607383325721/)

Ceejay, what great pictures. Nong Khai is now on my list, thank you.

krobbie

....Ceejay, what great pictures. Nong Khai is now on my list, thank you.


From what I understand the fireballs are hit-and-miss. But then, as everything Thai, its the company that counts...right krobbie?