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On the night of the fullest moon in October, the Mekong River in northern Thailand is lit up with hundreds of multicoloured fireballs in one of the most spectacular natural phenomena in the world.

Every year, on what is a deeply religious day in the Buddhist calendar, the Naga Fireballs rise through the water and into the sky, before disappearing.

While it is not clear exactly why the fireballs occur, some scientists have proposed that they are produced by fermentation of sediment in the river, which combusts in certain conditions and rise as a result of the gravitational pull of the moon, strongest on the full moon nights.

Needless to say, many believe that there is a far more spiritual reason for the appearance of the fireballs, which can also been seen in March, April, May and June. Indeed, local villagers believe they are caused by a mythical serpent living in the river, known as the Phaya Naga.

Whatever the cause, the Naga Fireballs are a truly magnificent sight to behold and are accompanied by a two day festival from 26 to 27 October, which boasts light shows, boat races and plenteous helpings of local cuisine.

Fancy going to this event? Use Opodo's travel search engine to find flights and hotels for your stay.

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