Provinces along the Mekong River have seen a seasonal increase in visitors observing the end of the Buddhist Lent festival. Many people have come to Nong Khai and Nakhon Phanom provinces to pay their respects to religious sites, and observe the Naga Fireball phenomenon.
Among the popular religious sites in Nong Khai this year is Phra That La Nong, a stupa located on a giant rock in the middle of the Mekong River. The stupa had been for two months submerged under water, and just emerged from the water in the past couple of days, due to a lower water level.
Boat operators have increased their services to accommodate the tourists who wish to see the stupa, with congestion reported in certain peak hours.
Many people also came to Nong Khai and Nakhon Phanom provinces to observe Naga Fireballs, a phenomenon in which fireballs are seen rising from the Mekong River during this time of year. A total of 289 fireballs have already been observed this year in Nong Khai alone. (NNT)
