Loei hotels and travel guide to Loei, Isan, Thailand. By Sawadee.com

Thailand destinations: Bangkok, northern Provinces, Isan (North-east), Pattaya, ...

Introduction

Although geographical located in the Northeast, Loei has many things in common with the Northern region with numerous high hills and mountains, wintry and foggy climate. It is the only province in Thailand which has the dubious destination of the mercury plummeting to zero Celsius. Loei is 520 kilometers from Bangkok.

Boundaries

»The North	Laos with the Maekhong and Nam Hueng Waterway as the natural border.
»The South	Loei adjourns Amphoe Nam Nao and Amphoe PhuPhaman, Khon Kaen Province Amphoe Nam Nao and Amphoe Lomasak, Phetchaboon Province.
»The East	Loei adjourns Amphoe Sangkom, Nongkhai Province; Amphoe Namsoem, Amphoe NaKlang, Nongbua Lamphu Province and Amphoe Sichomphu, Khonkaen Province.
»The West	Loei adjourns Amphoe Chat Trakan, Amphoe Nakhorn Thai, Pitsanulok Province.

: Distances from :
Loei city to its districts Bamnet		Loei city of nearby Provinces.
- Chiang Khan - Dan Sai - Na Duang - Na Haeo - Pak Chom - Pha Khao - Phu Kradung - Phu Luang - Phu Rua - Tha Li - Wang Sapung - Erawan Subdistrict - Nong Hin Subdistrict	47 kms. 82 kms. 32 kms. 125 kms. 90 kms. 70 kms. 73 kms. 49 kms. 49 kms. 47 kms. 23 kms. 5 kms. 50 kms.	- Khonkaen - Nong Bua Lamphu - Nong Khai - Phetchabun - Phitsanulok - Udon Thani	120 kms. 102 kms. 170 kms. 80 kms. 210 kms. 143 kms.

History

In 1853, King Rama IV realized that the number of people living in this part of Thailand had increased. Loei

He decided there were enough people in the area to establish a town, so he sent Phraya Tainam to survey the counties around the region. Phraya Tainam recognized that Ban Hae, which is situated on the banks of Nam Man canal, near the Loei river, was the best place for a town. He also realized that the existence of the surrounding mountains could provide a safe situation for a settlement. Phraya Tainam recommended that the King officially recognize this area as Muang Loei.

An Act was passed in 1897 to improve administrative structures in Thailand. The whole country was divided into Provinces, District (Amphoe), Counties (Tambon) and Bans (Villages).

Muang Loei was established in Amphoe Kudphong. On January 4th 1907. the Minister if the Interior proclaimed Muang Loei to be Loei Province (Changwat Loei). Also, in 1907, the name of the area was changed from Nam Loei Waterway to Nam Hueng Waterway.

Geography

Most of the Province consists of a series of extended low mountain ranges with the town of Loei nestling in a fertile basin. There are three distinct geographical areas in the province :- Loei

The mountains, mainly West of Loei, around Nahaew, Phu Rua, Dansai and Tali districts.
The population here is sparse because of the small areas for cultivation and because the terrain makes communication inconvenient.

The low plains area around the Maekhong River. Loei River in Amphoe Muang Loei and Amphoe Chiankhan and Amphoe Wand Saphung. Loei

Agriculture flourishes in this area and it is the most populated part of Loei Province.

Flatter fertile areas at the foot of the mountain around the East and South of Loei near PhukraDueng, Phu Luang, PhuKao, Naduang and Pakchom. Agriculture is more viable here than in the mountain areas and so the population is denser.

How to get there

By Bus
Non air-conditioned buses and air-conditioned buses leave Northeastern bus terminal on Phaholyothin Road.
Tel. 271 0101 Non-air, 279 4484-7 Air.

By Train
Trains leave Bangkok Railway Station for Udon Thani and Khon Kaen. From there take a bus to Loei.
For further information please contact Tel. 2237010, 2237020

By Plane
Bangkok Airways Co., Ltd. flies to Loei 3 time a week.
For more details please contact Tel. 2534004

Festivals & Events

Cotton Blossom (Dok Fai Ban)
February
Kut Pong Park
The festival is held annually between 1-7 February. On the first day, a procession in colorful cotton decoration and beauty queens prepared by different Amphoes makes its way through the street. Highlights include entertainments, stalls selling local produce and beauty contents.

Phi Ta Khon Festival
June or July
Amphoe DanSai
The festival has its origin in a traditional Buddhist tale. When Prince Vessandorn, the Buddha's penultimate incarnation, returned to his city, the welcoming procession was so delightful that spirits emerged to celebrate. Phi Ta Khon is celebrated largely by young men who dress as spirits to parade a sacred Buddha image and tease villagers, and monks reciting the story of the Buddha's last great incarnation before attaining Enlightenment.

The Phu Rua Cold Climate and Plant Fair
December - January
Phu Rua
During the cold season, Loei is a very charming place, not only because of the weather but because many beautiful flowers and trees are in bloom. Many tourists visit Loei to admire the floral beauty at this time of the year.

Climate & Weather

Since Loei is situated among a mountain range, the temperature greatly compared to the rest of Thailand. It can be very hot in the Hot Season with temperature up to 43.3 degrees Celsius (around April). The other hand in the Cold Season (around December) the temperature can to minus 1.3 degrees at night.