Synopsis: In this special series, The Straits Times dives into some of the greatest unsolved mysteries in South-east Asia, and examines the underlying issues that they exposed.

In this episode, we investigate the source of the red and orange fireballs that emerge from the Mekong River once every year.

ST Indochina bureau chief Tan Hui Yee speaks to Dr San Sunthornthanakul, mayor of Phon Phisai municipality, and biologist from Chulalongkorn University Dr Jessada Denduangboripant.

She also interviews Mr Thanavorakit Kounthawatphinyo, a Laotian filmmaker based in Bangkok, Mr Sompop Khamsawat, a civil servant who is convinced that Naga Fireballs are a hoax.

Highlights (click/tap above): (Headphones recommended)

01:53 The annual Naga Fireball festival draws large crowd

05:20 The Naga is seen as a celestial guardian, a symbol of abundance and a patron of water

06:30 Dr Jessada dismisses the theory of chemical reaction giving rise to the fireballs

09:00 Mr Thanavorakit traces the fireballs to Laotian soldiers firing bullets into the sky

13:36 Mr Sompop petitioned the authorities for an investigation into the phenomenon

15:45 Dr San says the term “Naga Fireball” is a modern creation

17:38 The health of the Mekong River is failing

Produced by: Tan Jia Ning (jianing@sph.com.sg), Tan Hui Yee (tanhy@sph.com.sg), Magdalene Fung (magfung@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Eden Soh and Teo Tong Kai

Edited by: Teo Tong Kai

Follow The Unsolved Mysteries Of South-east Asia podcast series here every third Tuesday of the month till July:

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Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

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#unsolved