The district chief of Rattanawapi, Nong Khai Province, is preparing to landscape the Mekong Riverbank to accommodate tourists coming to witness the phenomenon of the "Naga Fireballs." On Buddhist Lent Day, 26 October 2026.
On 22 October 2026, reports stated that at 10:00 a.m. on 21 October, at the Mekong Riverbank behind the Phon Phisai Self-Sufficiency Industrial Estate, Phon Paeng Subdistrict, Rattanawapi District, Nong Khai Province, Mr. Kitipoom Duangprom, district chief of Rattanawapi, chaired the Big Cleaning Day activity. The event involved landscaping, cleaning, sweeping, trash collection, trimming tree branches, and using water trucks to wash the area in preparation for tourists who will come to see the "Naga Fireballs phenomenon." During the Buddhist Lent festival on 26 October 2026.
Joining the event were Ms. Supansa Jansai, district clerk for administration and governance in Rattanawapi; Mr. Wathasit Julasom, mayor of Phon Paeng Subdistrict Administrative Organization; Police Lieutenant Colonel Narin Paethiao, deputy chief of Rattanawapi Police Station; along with executives, council members, village chiefs, local officials, students, citizens, and volunteers totaling 80 people.
Rattanawapi District has scheduled events for the Buddhist Lent festival to observe the Naga Fireballs phenomenon as follows:
On 24 October 2026, at 7:00 a.m., a merit-making and almsgiving ceremony "Wear Thai Cloth, Paddle Rice Basket, Offer Sticky Rice" will be held at the Rattanawapi District Office, Nong Khai. Throughout the day, visitors can browse and purchase OTOP products and agricultural goods from Rattanawapi District. At 10:00 a.m., there will be traditional boat racing competition "Local Relations Friendship Race, First Edition" at the pond beside the district office. At 4:00 p.m., aerobics dance performances by seven teams will be showcased. At 7:00 p.m., five performances by students from local schools in Rattanawapi will be held.
On 25 October 2026, throughout the day, visitors can continue to browse and buy OTOP products and agricultural goods from Rattanawapi District. At 6:29 p.m., a ritual to honor the Naga deity and a traditional welcome ceremony will take place. At 7:00 p.m., the opening ceremony of the Buddhist Lent Festival and the World Naga Fireballs Festival will be held, followed by a ritual dance worshiping the Naga performed by over 1,000 local female dancers from Rattanawapi. At 8:30 p.m., a charity concert by artist Beer Phromphong will be presented, organized by the Rattanawapi district village headmen club.
On 26 October 2026, throughout the day, visitors can browse and purchase OTOP products and agricultural goods from Rattanawapi District. At 6:00 p.m., there will be a fire boat show presented by local administrative organizations including Rattanawapi, Phon Paeng, and Ban Ton Subdistrict Administrative Organizations.
Mr. Kitipoom Duangprom, district chief of Rattanawapi, stated that this year, the district will once again hold a grand Buddhist Lent festival to witness the World Naga Fireballs phenomenon. People are especially focused on seeing the Naga Fireballs on 26 October 2026, which is Buddhist Lent Day.
He invited residents of Rattanawapi District, neighboring districts, and other provinces who have never witnessed the Naga Fireballs phenomenon to come and see it. Rattanawapi has 14 villages along the Mekong Riverbank, and the Naga Fireballs can be seen rising at every village.
