FESTIVALS
Dok Fai Ban Makham Wan Mueang 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 held at Amphoe Dan Sai in May or June. Aside from merit-making and a sermon, there is a procession bearing Phra Uppakhut, a rain-inducing Buddha image. Adult men and boys 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 Wetsandon Chadok.
Dok Mai Mueang Nao Fair
is held in Amphoe Phu Ruea during New Year. The fair features shops, pageants and the sale of decorative plants, flowers and agricultural produce.
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Welcome to Loei
Source: Tourism Authority of Thailand
General
Literally translated, ‘Loei’ means ‘beyond’ or ‘to the furthest extreme’, a name most suitable for this province that lies in the northernmost part of the Northeastern region, bordered at the top by Laos and the Mekong River. Though part of Northeastern Thailand, its geography and climate is more similar to those of Northern Thailand. Consisting mainly of mountains, large and small, it is cold and foggy in the winter and searing hot in the summer. In the past, bureaucrats based in Bangkok who had fallen out of favor of the Siamese government were sent to this remote town as punishment. Fortunately, the province’s isolation helped it retain its local traditions. Some national parks here are major tourist destinations.
Loei is 520 kilometres from Bangkok. It has an area of about 11,426 square kilometres and is divided into the following districts: Muang, 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.
Attractions
Chaloem Phra Kiat Public Park
Chaloem Phra Kiat Public Park is in front of Loei Municipality. It occupies an area of 28 acres beside the Loei River. This is another place townspeople come to relax.
Chao Pho Kut Pong Shrine
Chao Pho Kut Pong Shrine is next to the city shrine. Locals worship this shrine. At the rear of the shrine is a park that is popular with locals.
Transportation
Bus
Buses depart from Bangkok’s Mochit 2 Bus Terminal to Loei every day. Call 0 2936 2852-66 for more information.
Car
a) From Bangkok, take Highway No. 1 to Saraburi and Highway No. 21 via Phetchabun and continue the trip along Highway No. 203 via Lom Sak, Dan Sai and Phu Ruea to Loei, a total distance of 520 kilometres.
b) From Bangkok, take Highway No. 1 to Saraburi and Highway No. 2 via Nakhon Ratchasima to Khon Kaen, then continue driving along Highway No. 12 via Chum Phae before turning left into Highway No. 201 and proceed to Loei via Wang Saphung.
Train
Regular trains depart from Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Railway Station (1690, 0 2223 7010-20) to Bua Yai Railway Station which is 51 kilometres from Chaiyaphum.
Air
Visitors can fly from Bangkok to Phetchabun or Udon Thani and continue the trip to Loei by bus. For more information, call Thai Airways at tel: 1566, 0 2628 2000, 0 2280 0060.
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