Photos by Michael Krispin: on the map, in Google Earth (KML)

This is a more than 100m high image of the Buddha. It was made for the Kings 50th coronation anniversary. It's located on the way from Pattaya to Sattahip. Near by is also the Wat Viharasin, a gift from China to the people in Thailand. Allaround is a nice area with some more temple (of course) and a lake.

View from the big Pagode during my staying in 1992

Start of the Grand Parade of Udom Games

So long ago as I heard about the Naga Fireballs, but now this year I wanted to see by my own eyes. Therefore we started the trip through Esan in the North-East of Thailand. I can tell that I could see two of this light-phenomen, other saw more at this night. But I could not make a photo, because when I saw it, it lights only 2 Second longer and were the last at this day. :-((( Anyway, it was nice to see all the people waiting for.

But I found a science description about the Naga-Balls on:

http://www.thaipro.com/thailand_00/148_naga_fireballs.htm

The Naga Fireball phenomenon in Thailand While trying to explain with ancient Thai legends the mythical origins surrounding the Naga Fireballs out of the Mekhong river in Northeastern Thailand, scientific experiments have provided ample evidence for the authenticity of this natural phenomenon in the area of the Mekhong river in Nong Khai.

The appearance of the fireballs from the King of Naga Serpent is the simultaneous interplay of several natural forces, including a presence of condition that is favorable for the formation of Methane-Nitrogen gas with more than 19% of purity. Also the presence of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria co-existing in the Mekhong river habitat at depths of 4.55 to 13.40 meters, where organic deposits are formed on a bed of clay or sand with a surrounding temperature that is higher than 26 degrees Celsius and a PH value of the river water in-between 6.4 to 7.8 degrees.

As the sun starts warming the surface of the clay or sand banks around the Mekhong river, organic matter starts decomposing within the next 3 to 6 hours and starts emitting methane gasses. At the same time, pressure starts building up and the newly formed methane gas rises to the river's surface as huge bubbles exceeding 15cc in volume, pulling behind a 12cc nucleus that floats slower upwards. The surfacing methane gas reacts with the oxygen in the air and instantly ignites.

95% of the Naga Fireballs that are seen appear mostly in ruby-red with pinkish-red or crimson-burgundy hues inside. This methane gas explains why the King of Naga Fireballs in Thailand are mostly of uniform color, and do not emit flares, smoke or any sound, after suddenly appearing, they then slowly dissolve into the thin nightly sky without leaving any further traces.

The frequency and intensity of the Naga Serpent's fireballs vary also according to several other minor factors, such as the relative distance of the earth to the sun & moon, and the intensity of the ultraviolet rays B & C, plus to a certain extent, the local ozone layer depletion in the stratosphere above Nong Khai.

Studies have indicated that there is a much greater likelihood for the phenomenon of Thailand's Naga Fireballs to occur during the months of September and October, when the earth gravitates closest to the sun and moon, and the ozone layer depletion above Thailand allows ultraviolet rays to penetrate the stratosphere easily.

Based on those Thai studies, the 2 absolute indicators for the formation of King of Naga fireballs in Northeastern Thailand, are the presence of Methane-Nitrogen gas with a purity of over 19% plus a sufficient enough concentration of Ionized Atomic Oxygen to trigger a reaction that is called "heterogeneous combustion", resulting in the mystical glow of the fireballs of the Naga Serpent out of Mekhong river near Nong Khai in Northeastern Thailand.

Sehr geehrter Herr Krispin,

wir, die Firma Alpstein Tourismus GmbH, erstellen für den ADAC eine deutschlandweite Touren DVD und gehen demnächst mit unserem Freizeitportal www.geoactive.de online. Hierzu sind wir noch auf der Suche nach frei verwendbarem Bildmaterial für unsere Touren. Webseitenbesucher dürfen sich die Daten kostenlos vom Portal herunterladen. DVD-Besitzer dürfen die Daten auf PC-Systemen und mobilen Endgeräten nutzen.

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Herzlichen Dank für Ihre Hilfe und

mit freundlichen Grüßen

Thilo Kreier

Sehr schönes Foto. Die 5 Minuten haben sich wenigstens gelohnt. Grüße Michael www.panorama-alpen.de

Very nice Lodge, at the evening the animals come to sleep around

The elephant was not really amused about us

OK, on the first moment, it looks that the elephants take a break. But they scratch their "Backside"

view on St.Petri and St.Maria from boat