Loei, Thailand

Loei is a land of water and mountains in the upper Northeast. The Mekong River divides it and Laos. Some national parks here are major tourist destinations. The climate is cool like that of northern Thailand.

Loei is 520 kilometers from Bangkok. It has an area of about 11,426 square kilometers and is divided into the following districts: Muang, Wang Saphung, Phu Kradung, Chiang Khan, Pak Chom, Tha Li, Phu Rua, Dan Sai, Na Haeo, Na Duang, Phu Luang, Pha Khao, Erawan and Nong Hin.

Attractions

AMPHOE MUANG

Chao Pho Kut Pong Shrine is next the city shrine. Locals worship this shrine. The rear of the shrine is a park popular with locals.

AMPHOE CHIANG KHAN

Wat Si Khun Muang is on Chai Khong Road north of Chiang Khan market. This unique temple has a chapel similar to that found in northern Thai temples. A mural of a Buddhist tale covers the entire front par.

Kaeng Khut Khu is an islet in the middle of the Mekong, 3 kilometres from Chiang Khan district office. This famous destination offers a fantastic view in the dry season from February to May when the islet is clearly visible. For tourists, there are traditional northeastern restaurants on the bank selling grilled fish and river shrimp.

AMPHOE PHU LUANG

Phu Luang Wildlife Preserve is a jungle plateau with a cool climate the whole year. Some parts are open to tourists. Here is a trail from Lon Mon past a pine forest, a grass field, a flower field on a rock plateau, and various cliffs, totalling about 6 kilometres in distance. From Pha Lon Tae, visitors can see Phu Ho and Phu Kradung. Officers must guide visitors up Phu Luang. Prior contact must be made at Phu Luang Tourist Office, Wang Saphung District Office, in order to arrange accommodation, food and a tour of 3 days and 2 nights. Please call tel. (042) 841566. The best time for trekking is from October to May.

AMPH0E PHU KRADUNG

Phu Kradung National Park is the dream destination of Thai travellers. The goal is to trek up to the summit, conquering the distance of 1,325 metres above sea level. The top of Phu Kradung is a wide plain of about 60 square kilometres. There is a cold climate pine forest and a grass field full of wild flowers and orchids that bloom in different seasons. The jungle also has several lovely waterfalls, as well as an observation point that is especially good during sunrise and sunset.

To get there, take Bangkok-Loei bus and get off at Pha Nok Khao which is the boundary between Khon Kaen and Loei. From there, take a mini-bus to the park office at the foot of the mountain and walk up phu Kradung for 6 kilometers. The park is open during October to May and closed during the rainy season to rejuvenate the flora and fauna there.

Suan Hin Pha Ngam Park is south of the town on Highway No.201 Go past Wang Saphung to Nong Hin then take another road for 20 kilometres. This is a limestone mountain that has eroded over time to form an interesting shape, similar to that in Kunming in China. A path also takes visitors to the lovely Suan Hom and Phiang Din waterfalls.

AMPHOE PHU RUA

Phu Rua National Park is on a plateau with an area of 75,525 square kilometres, 60 kilometres west of Amphoe Muang on Highway No.203. Phu Ruaâ??s summit is a large plain 1,365 metres above sea level. Part of the park is a natural pine forest conducive to travel in the cool season. There are plenty of observation points, waterfalls, rock gardens, and caves. There are several resorts on the way up Phu Rua, as well as a huge vineyard of Chateau de Loei Winery and its modern wine-making facility.

Pla Ba waterfall or Tat San waterfall falls from a large rock platform to the pool below. To get there, take the Phu Rua-Dan Sai road for 7 kilometres to Ban Kik Pho and take a left-hand road for 10 kilometres.

The Phu Rua Highland Agriculture Testing Station is 14 kilometres past the waterfall. The centre grows cold-climate plants and an assortment of flowers.

AMPHOE DAN SAI

Phra That Si Song Rak is on the bank of the Man River, 83 kilometers from Amphoe Muang. This temple houses the holy relics of Lord Buddha Its Lao design is like that of Phra That Phanom. Built in the Ayutthaya period in 1560 to be a symbol of camaraderie between Ayutthaya and Si Sattana Khanatut (Vientiane), it is worth a visit, especially during the celebration there every May.

Kaeng Song Klhon wates fall is at Ban Hua Na Yung on the Dan Sai-Nakhon Thai road (Highway No. 2013), 400 metres past Phra That Si Song Rak and another 2 kilometres on a road on the right. The waterfall drops down several rock levels to large pool below.

AMPHOE NA HAEO

Wat Pho Chai Na Phung is at Ban Na Phung and houses the Ong Saen Buddha image or the Fon Saen Ha image. It is believed that wherever this bronze image is placed, that area will not be dry, The chapel is over 400 years of d and has a wall mural of Lord Buddhaâ??s life.

Than Sawan waterfall is only 800 metres from Na Haeo district office behind Na Haeo Witthaya School. This 1 5-rnetre-high waterfall drops down to rock formations below. Another smaller waterfall nearby shaped like a stairway can be reached by walking 1 kilometre.

AMPHOE THA LI

Phra That Satcha is at Wat Lat Pu 2 kilometers from the district office. The pagoda is 33 metres high, similar to Phra That Phanom.

Major Events

Dok Fai Ban Makham Wan Muang Wan Muang Loei Fair is held in front of the provincial hall during Chinese New Year in January-February. A procession decorated with cotton products is the highlight. There are also shops from various offices.

Phi Ta Khon Festival is at Amphoe Dan Sai in May. This folk play is organised as the district's major annual event. Aside from merit - making and a sermon, there is a procession bearing Phra Uppakhut, a rain-inducing Buddha image. Adult men and bays wear colourful ghost masks and join in the procession. The ghost costumes derive from a local legend. Some believe that they are from the Buddhist saga Phra Wetsandan Chadok.

Dok Mai Muang Nao Fair is in Amphoe Phu Rua during New Year. The fair features shops, pageants and the sale of decorative plants, flowers and agricultural produce.

Local Products

Products for which Loei is famous are down blankets and sweet coconut from Chiang Khan and golden orange, sweet tamarind and fresh mushroom from Na Haeo. In addition, there are the beautiful flowers of Phu Rua.