Take a gander at this monster! It was said in an article in the New York Times (Aug 26th 2005) that this catfish , weighing in at 646 pounds and measuring in at 9 feet, may be the biggest freshwater fish ever recorded. It took 5 men an hour to lift it into the boat and 10 men to lift it when they got to shore. While the catch is impressive to say the least, there is nothing to say that there isn't anything larger lurking the murky depths of the Mekong. Up till the late 1970s, stingrays the size of small cars were found sitting near the bottom of the river. The fact that they managed to avoid detection for so long made it plausible that other oversized specimens of known and and unknown species may be living in the deeper parts of the river. If it is possible that some creatures may have been able to avoid detection thus far, then isn't it possible that a large snake-like creature could have eluded notice all these years?
The Mekong river is host to a large number of legends, each one fascinating in its history and cultural relevance. One that truly captured my imagination is the Mekong River Fireballs. This is a phenomenon that occurs for two nights during the full moon of October every year along a 300km stretch in Nong Khai,the north-east province of Thailand, bordering Laos. During this time, smokeless, scentless, soundless fireballs begin to rise from the depths of the Mekong. As many as 19 ruby globes at a time ascend to heights of 30 to 300 metres for three to eight seconds each, then simply vanish. In some years there are only a few; in 1999, nearly 3,500 fireballs were counted. They can be seen from ponds and a dozen riverbank villages but are most numerous near Phon Phisai
Fireballs emerging from the surface
The Thais believe that the fireballs come from nagas living in the river, released in celebration of the end of the Buddhist Lent. This phenomenon is eagerly witnessed by the hundreds of thousands of devout Buddhists and curious bystanders who line the banks each year.
An abbot at the Pak-Ngeum temple described the history of the phenomenon...
"A long time ago there was a couple living in Pak-Ngeum village. They earned their living by fishing in the Mekong River all day and night, during Buddhist Lent, and even on Buddha days. This disturbed the Naga King who meditated under the Mekong River. He told this couple not to catch fish and kill other animals on Buddha days, defined as the eighth and 15th days of the Lao Lunar Calendar because it was a sin, but the Naga asked them to meditate instead."
"In response to and out of respect for the Naga, all villagers in Pak-Ngeum and nearby villages along the Mekong River did not kill any animals for food on Buddha days. In addition, the Naga King asked this couple to hold boat processions on the Mekong River to mark the end of Buddhist Lent; at the same time the Naga in Mekong River shot fireballs into the air so they could celebrate together. From then on, the phenomenon of the Naga's fireball existed in the Mekong River at the end of Buddhist Lent."
I have read another version of the origin of the legend elsewhere that goes like this...
During his final incarnation, Lord Buddha returned to earth after teaching his mother in Thavatimsa heaven at the end of Buddhist Lent. Phaya Nak and his followers welcomed him back by blowing fireballs into the sky. Since then, on the October full moon night, fireballs—regarded as the fiery breath of the nak, mirroring medieval European beliefs of fire-breathing dragons—have risen from the Mekong River, a miracle that people call "Bang Fai Phaya Nak," in recognition of the serpent king’s devotion.
Scientists and sceptics have came up with various theories to debunk this phenomenon but general opinion (as well as my own) consider these theories to be insubstantial. Theories of natural gas created by decaying organic matter and people on the far side of the bank releasing fireworks sound solid at the onset but upon closer examination, doesn't explain several interesting aspects to the mystery. How does decaying matter form in the swift running water of the Mekong? And isn't it pretty obvious how fireworks look and if they are actually rising up from the waters? Also, sightings of the spectacle have been recorded for decades. A 93 year old resident of the village recalls witnessing the event when he was a child. Convenient and nimble sidestepping of these issues seems to be the order of the day...
In my humble opinion, the legend of the Naga serves an important function in maintaining the faith of the Buddhist population, firing the imagination of countless others, and defying the gradual demystification of natural phenomena. The fact that the fireballs occur every year regardless of scientific and sceptical scrutiny, only strengthens my opinion that there is something there that transcends our mundane explanations. May the legend of the Naga live on and continue to bring benefit to all beings and to propage the wonderment that inspires faith.
