Great Balls of Fire

At the end of Buddhist Lent ( the full moon of the eleventh month of lunar calendar), which falls on October 5th this year, Fire Balls- pink points of light- will appear over the Mekong River. This spectacle can be viewed from certain district of Nong Khai Province, Thailand.

Traditionally, the fireballs are believed to come from the mouth of the Naga. The Naga is a mythical serpent that lives in the river. Incidentally they have their caves under the Mekong River. The Nagas hibernate in their caves under the river during Buddhist Lent. At the end of the Lent they re- emerge from the cave and spit fire balls as a gesture of tribute to the Buddha. The incident occurs every year on the same day without real scientific explanation. Some scientists suggest that the fireball event is actually flammable methane gas rising out of the river and igniting, but why on the exact day of the year is still a mystery. Moreover, as the tide of Mekong River during the season is quite rapid, it is quite unlikely that gas of any sort can accumulate to form a real sizable air ball.

This topic reminded me of a popular song in 1957 called Great Balls of Fire sung by Jerry Lee Lewis.

"You shake my nerves and you rattle my brain. Too much love drives a man insane.                                                    You broke my will, but what a thrill. Goodness, gracious, great balls of fire."

Whatever you choose to believe it's like watching a shower of shooting stars. Join the crowd. Come see for yourself. May be, next year.

J.M.                                                                                                                                                                                 Dr. John Murphy is a Lecturer of Law, Economics and Public Administration at the Faculty of Integrated Social Sciences. KKU, Nong Khai Campus