Naga Fireballs

When is the Naga fireballs night in 2027?

The Naga fireballs night is Ok Phansa, expected on Friday 15 October 2027. That night the whole Mekong riverbank in Rattanawapi and Phon Phisai sits and waits, eyes on the water, for the lights to rise. In 2026 the night fell on Monday 26 October, and the festival around it ran from 22 October to 3 November.

Ask Tanner to put you on the bank on Ok Phansa night.

What are the fireballs, and why Ok Phansa?

The Naga fireballs, Bang Fai Phaya Nak in Thai, are the glowing lights Nong Khai watches for over the Mekong on Ok Phansa night, the full moon that ends Buddhist Lent. The town ties them to the Phaya Nak, the naga of the river, and tells the legend on stage every year.

Ok Phansa is the day the monks' three-month rains retreat ends. So the night on the bank sits beside merit-making at the temples, offerings floated on the river and the long-boat races.

Where should you stand on Ok Phansa night?

Stand on the Mekong riverbank in Rattanawapi or Phon Phisai. That's where the crowd sits on Ok Phansa night, and both districts hold their own Ok Phansa fairs on the bank.

• Rattanawapi: the main bank for the fireballs; its riverside fair ran 24 to 26 October in 2026.
• Phon Phisai: the other main bank; its fair ran 25 October to 3 November in 2026.
• Nong Khai town: the light and sound show at Wat Si Bun Rueang and the town festival.

Get to the bank early in the evening and pick your spot before dark. The VIP move: your own driver drops you at the river and waits, so your car is there when the night ends.

What else is on in Ok Phansa week?

The festival is more than the one night. In 2026, from 22 October to 3 November, the Mekong in Nong Khai had boats, river offerings, a stage show and food along the bank, and the 2027 programme comes closer to the time.

• The show: "Revealing the Legend of the Naga Fireball", in its 25th edition in 2026, ran four nights, 22 to 25 October, from 7pm on the stage at Wat Si Bun Rueang, with more than 250 performers.
• On the river: floating fire lamps and banana-leaf krathong drift down the Mekong.
• The boats: ancient long boats on show, and crews pulling hard in the royal-cup long-boat race.
• Food and music: a food street and live music by the river.

What is Nakhon Phanom's Lai Ruea Fai?

Lai Ruea Fai, the Nakhon Phanom illuminated boat procession, is expected on Ok Phansa night, Friday 15 October 2027, from 6pm on the Mekong: the same night as the Naga fireballs, further down the river. Nakhon Phanom announces the festival days closer to the time. In 2026 the festival ran from 16 to 27 October, with the boats on Monday 26 October.

Lai Ruea Fai means floating fire boats. The boats are built on bamboo frames, wrapped in paper and cloth and lit with thousands of lights, some as long as a bus, showing Naga serpents, temples and Buddhist legends. It began as small rafts of banana bark with candles and incense, offered to the Buddha and the Naga at the end of Buddhist Lent.

On procession night you watch free from the riverfront on Sunthorn Vijit Road. At 6pm a showcase boat leads off, then the district boats float past 20 minutes apart; in 2026 there were 12, competing for a royal trophy, and the last passed at 10.20pm. The days before bring long-boat races, Molam shows and riverside markets.

Getting there: fly from Bangkok to Nakhon Phanom, then let your own driver take you to the riverfront and back. A luxury van with a driver costs from ฿6,500 for 10 hours, for up to 4 guests.

Tip: you can't see both on one night, so pick one river town for Ok Phansa: Nong Khai for the fireballs, Nakhon Phanom for the boats. Arrive a day early for the last boat races, and book the room as soon as the dates are out.

How do you plan a Naga fireballs trip?

Plan a Naga fireballs trip around Ok Phansa night, expected Friday 15 October 2027, then pick your bank: Rattanawapi or Phon Phisai for the fireballs, Nong Khai town for the show. Fly from Bangkok and let your own driver take you along the river and back. Book the room and the driver before you fly.

The same night, Nakhon Phanom, further down the Mekong, sends out its illuminated boats (see Lai Ruea Fai above), so you pick one river town for Ok Phansa. For more of the year's big local nights, see cultural festivals in Thailand.

• Arriving: airport fast track at Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang, ฿2,400 a person: a greeter meets you at the gate and walks you through the fast immigration lane.
• On the river road: a luxury van with a driver from ฿6,500 for 10 hours, for up to 4.
• Where to stay: sleep in Nong Khai town, or close to the bank in Phon Phisai or Rattanawapi if you want to walk to the river. Ok Phansa week fills the riverside rooms first, so book early.

Plan it with Tanner, or see more festival trips in Thailand.

What should you bring for Naga fireballs night?

For Naga fireballs night, book your room and driver before you fly, then get to the Mekong bank early in the evening. Pick your spot before dark, and your car waits for the ride back.

What's the short version?

• Fireball night 2027: expected Friday 15 October, Ok Phansa.

• Best banks: Rattanawapi and Phon Phisai. Free to watch.
• Last time: Monday 26 October 2026, with the festival from 22 October to 3 November.

Plan it with Tanner.