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Loei
Although geographically located in the northeast or I-San, Loei has many things in common with the northern region – namely its numerous high hills and mountains and its wintry as well as foggy climate. Literally speaking, the province deserves its name “Loei” which means ‘beyond’ or ‘to the furthest extreme’ as Loei lies in the northernmost part of the Northeastern region. Most notable is that Loei is the only province in Thailand where the temperature can drop to as low as zero Celsius in winter while it can become hotter than any province during summer. In short, Loei’s geography and climate is unique when compared to other I-San provinces.
Situated along the Phetchabun Mountain Range, Loei, a province that rises approximately 400 meters above sea level, is dubbed “the land of seas of mountains, the coolest in Siam”. Covering an area of 11,424 square kilometers (equivalent to 7.14 million rai of land), Loei Province, which is 520 kilometers from Bangkok shares a border with Laos to the north with the Khong and Heung Rivers forming the natural border, with Khon Kaen and Phetchabun Provinces to the south, with Nong Bua Lamphu, Udon Thani, Nong Khai and Khon Kaen Provinces to the east, and with Phitsanulok Province to the west. The province can be divided into three main areas: the high mountains in the west, the plains at the foot of the hills in the south and the east, and the lowlands in the basins of the Khong and the Loei Rivers.
Loei Province has an abundance of precious resources such as forests and natural resources. Of equal importance, however, is its unusual mix of northern and northeastern culture which is treasured by both locals and visitors. This remarkable cultural blend has produced more than one local dialect but only one local identity.
Attractions within the province that should be explored include Phu Kradung, Phu Luang and Phu Reua National parks, as well as Tha Li and Chiang Khan Districts.
Administratively, Loei is divided into 12 districts (Amphoes) : Mueang, Wang Saphung, Phu Kradueng, Chiang Khan, Pak Chom, Tha Li, Phu Ruea, Dan Sai, Na Haeo, Na Duang, Phu Luang, Pha Khao, Erawan and Nong Hin.
History of Loei
Loei is a place where visitors can track down pre-historic remnants such as cave paintings depicting people, human hands, animals and various symbols. Eleven such caves have been discovered; two in Mueang District and the other nine in Phu Kradung District.
Fortunately, the province’s isolation has helped in retaining local traditions, while delaying and buffering against the intrusion of external changes.
The provincial seal depicts the stupa at Phra That Sri Songrak, which was built in 1560 by King Chai Chetha of Sri Sattana Kanahut and King Maha Chakrapat of Ayuthaya as a memorial of the demarcation of the border between the two towns. The two kings ratified their common border at the site where the Oo Stream meets the Mun Stream (currently Dan Sai District).
Today’s Loei
Loei is a gateway to the exploration of both natural and cultural attractions. In addition, there are many traditions and festivals that are well known among tourists such as the Phi Ta Khon Procession, the Loei Cotton and Tamarind Fair and Homage to Phra That Sri Songrak Festival.
Due to its geographical diversity and soil composition, agriculture is the basis for the province’s economy. While the highlands in Loei are favorable to warm-temperature crops such as highland rice, macadamia nuts, passion fruit, and Arabica coffee, the plains at the foot of the hills are suitable for tropical crops like soybean, bananas, maize, sesame, rubber, grapes, and longan. On the other hand, other lowland areas are good for rice, cotton, mangoes, tamarind and flowers like roses, jasmine and Thai Gerbera. However, the main agricultural products are tamarind, rubber, mangoes, longan, bananas and lychees.
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| Destinations in "Chiang Khan" district - Loei province - Thailand |
Kaeng Khut Khu - Chiang Khan - Loei
This is an islet in the middle of the Mekong River, 3 kilometers from Chiang Khan District Office. K ....
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Sanya Mushroom Farm - Chiang Khan - Loei
The farm produces Shiitake mushrooms all year round for sale locally and in Bangkok. Chemical-free v ....
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Thai Dam Cultural Village - Chiang Khan - Loei
This village, situated at Ban Na Pa Nat, Tambon Khao Kawo, has so much to offer to art lovers. The T ....
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Wat Huay Hao Inscription - Chiang Khan - Loei
A 22-line slate inscription written in Thai Noi characters that records the royal command of King Ph ....
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Wat Si Khun Mueang - Chiang Khan - Loei
This unique temple on Chai Khong Road north of Chiang Khan market has a chapel similar to that found ....
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Wat Tha Khaek - Chiang Khan - Loei
This ancient temple on the bank of the Mekong River, 2 kilometers from Chiang Khan District Office, ....
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| Destinations in "Dan Sai" district - Loei province - Thailand |
Kaeng Song Khon waterfall - Dan Sai - Loei
This waterfall, which drops down several rock levels to a large pool, is located at Ban Hua Na Yung ....
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Phra That Si Song Rak - Dan Sai - Loei
Located on the bank of the Man River, 83 kilometers from Amphoe Mueang, this large Lao-style pagoda ....
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Wat Neramit Wipattasana - Dan Sai - Loei
The temple is located on a hillside near Phra That Si Song Rak. Both the ordination hall a ....
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| Destinations in "Mueang" district - Loei province - Thailand |
Chaloem Phra Kiat Public Park - Mueang - Loei
Situated in front of Loei Municipality, the Park, which occupies an area of 28 acres by the Loei Riv ....
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Chao Pho Kut Pong Shrine - Mueang - Loei
This shrine, which is located next to the city pillar shrine, is highly revered by the locals, as it ....
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City Pillar Shrine - Mueang - Loei
Located next to Kut Pong Public Park, the shrine, which was built in 1982, is 139 centimeters tall a ....
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Loei Province Cultural Center - Mueang - Loei
Located in Loei Rajabhat Institute, 5 kilometers from the city, on the Loei-Chiang Khan Road, the ce ....
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Mueang Loei Turkey Farm - Mueang - Loei
Situated at Ban Ko Rai Yai, approximately 9 kilometers from the city, the farm offers a unique oppor ....
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Phu Pha Lom Forest Park - Mueang - Loei
Situated at Tambon Nam Suai, 24 kilometers from the city is a park that covers over 1,000 rai of lan ....
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Thai Loei Ban Kang Pla Weaving Group - Mueang - Loei
The village produces authentic and unique Loei fabrics. Visitors can see weaving demonstrations and ....
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Upper Huai Nam Man and Huai Krathing Reservoir - Mueang - Loei
With a capacity of 26 million cubic meters, the earth-filled reservoir covers an area of 1,500 rai o ....
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| Destinations in "Na Haeo" district - Loei province - Thailand |
Na Haeo National Park - Na Haeo - Loei
The park is located at Ban Saeng Pha. With excellent natural reserves, mountains, streams and waterf ....
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Namtok Khring - Na Haeo - Loei
This waterfall is situated 15 kilometers from the District Office on the Mueang Phrae-Rom Klao Road ....
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Namtok Tat Hueang or the Thai-Lao Waterfall - Na Haeo - Loei
This large waterfall originating from Maenam Huang and is surrounded by a verdant jungle is located ....
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Namtok Than Sawan - Na Haeo - Loei
The waterfall is only 800 meters from Na Haeo District Office, behind Na Haeo Witthaya School. This ....
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Wat Pho Chai Na Phung - Na Haeo - Loei
Wat Pho Chai is an old temple, which was established even before the village was founded. Most histo ....
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| Destinations in "Phu Kradueng" district - Loei province - Thailand |
Phu Kradueng National Park - Phu Kradueng - Loei
This is the ultimate destination for many Thai trekkers. The goal is to hike up to the summit and co ....
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Suan Hin Pha Ngam Park - Phu Kradueng - Loei
This Park has limestone mountains that have eroded over time to form an interesting shape, similar t ....
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| Destinations in "Phu Luang" district - Loei province - Thailand |
Phu Luang Wildlife Reserve - Phu Luang - Loei
This jungle plateau with a cool climate the whole year has certain areas that are open to the public ....
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| Destinations in "Phu Ruea" district - Loei province - Thailand |
Ban Nong Bong Plant Market - Phu Ruea - Loei
A center for buying cold-climate flowers from local farmers, the market offers a wide array of beaut ....
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Chateau de Loei Winery and Vineyard - Phu Ruea - Loei
Location: 161 Mu 6, Tambon Rong Chik, Amphoe Phu Ruea, Loei 42160. Tel. 0 42891 3950, 0 4289 1045 Fa ....
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Khamnuan Nursery - Phu Ruea - Loei
The nursery is located just 3 kilometers from Amphoe Phu Ruea on Highway No. 203. The comp ....
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Namtok Pla Ba Waterfall or Namtok Tat San - Phu Ruea - Loei
This waterfall drops from a large rock platform to the pool below. To get to the waterfall, take the ....
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Phu Ruea High Altitude Agricultural Research Station - Phu Ruea - Loei
Location: Tambon Pla Ba, Amphoe phu Ruea, Loei 42160, Tel. 042 ย– 891398, 891199
Phu Ruea Dist ....
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Phu Ruea National Park - Phu Ruea - Loei
This National Park with an area of 75,525 square kilometers has a vast pine-covered plain 1,365 mete ....
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Siam Phu Ruea Orange Farm - Phu Ruea - Loei
This farm is located at Ban Kaeng Laen, 15 kilometers from Amphoe Phu Ruea on Highway No. 203. This ....
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| Destinations in "Tha Li" district - Loei province - Thailand |
Ban Na Kraseng Rattan Handicrafts and Native Woven Fabric Group - Tha Li - Loei
The group produces rattan furniture and items of high quality, as well as beautifully woven clothes. ....
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Pak Chom - Tha Li - Loei
This is the first town of any size when traveling to Loei Province from the west along the Mekong Ri ....
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Phra That Satcha - Tha Li - Loei
This pagoda, which is similar in design to Phra That Phanom, is 33 meters high and topped with the w ....
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