Nong Khai bans fireworks ahead of Naga Fireballs fest

NONG KHAI, Oct 19 (TNA) -- Thailand's northeastern province of Nong Khai has expressed worries that tourists might be confused if locals decided to light up fireworks during the Naga fireballs phenomenon to celebrate the festival and so the governor has ordered all sales of fireworks be banned and the use of fireworks be prohibited for the upcoming festival. The Nong Khai police and authorities from other concerned agencies have recently inspected shops within Nong Khai municipality to prevent vendors from selling fireworks ahead of the Naga Fireballs Festival, in line with the governor's measure to prevent disruptions on the viewing of the Naga fireballs. According to the governor, the province had, in the previously year, received complaints about fireworks being lid and disrupting and causing confusion among visitors when the natural activity was taking place. For this year, the governor has then ordered that all sales of fireworks be banned from the province during the festival, any violations by the public would result in immediate prosecution. The Naga fireballs are expected to shoot out from the water on October 27-28 this year, as the day for the end of the Lent Season in Thailand and Lao PDR will not fall on the same day. (TNA)