Phaya Nāka (Mekong Serpent King)
The Phaya Nāka (Thai: พญานาค) is the great serpent king who dwells beneath the Mekong River in Thai and Lao mythology. As the supreme Nāga of the Mekong, he commands all river serpents and controls the annual Nāga fireball phenomenon (Bang Fai Phaya Nak) that rises from the Mekong each October during the full moon of the 11th lunar month. According to legend, Phaya Nāka releases glowing red orbs ranging from tiny sparks to basketball-sized spheres to honor the Buddha's return from heaven. The Phaya Nāka also created Nong Han lake near Sakon Nakhon by carving the lakebed with his serpentine bod