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Introduction
Phu Kradueng National Park
Loei the city of the Sea of Mountains, Coldest Place in Siam, and Beautiful Flowers of Three Seasons.
Loei is in many ways more similar to the north of Thailand than to the rest of Isan and the province
are Sharing a Mekong River border with Laos. 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.
Loei has unique cultures and traditions in addition to beautiful geographical surroundings, such as the
colorful Phi Ta Khon Festival.
Loei is an up-and-coming ecotourism region surrounded by undulating mountain ranges, abundant with
various kinds of flora and capped with fog enshrouded summits. The most majestic mountains are Phu
Kradueng, Phu Luang and Phu Ruea. There are many spectacular sights and exiting outdoor activities
and fascinating cultural attractions awaiting travelers to come and experience the miracle of this land.
Borders
| North |
: Lao People's Democratic Republic |
| East |
: Nong Khai, Nong Bua Lam Phu and Khon Kaen |
| South |
: Khon Kaen and Phetchabun |
| West |
: Phitsanulok |
Distance
| Distances from Mueang District to Other Districts |
| Wang Saphung |
23 km |
Phu Ruea |
50 km |
| Na Duang |
32 km |
Pha Khao |
70 km |
| Chiang Khan |
47 km |
Phu Kradueng |
73 km |
| Tha Li |
47 km |
Dan Sai |
82 km |
| Phu Luang |
49 km |
Pak Chom |
90 km |
| Erawan |
50 km |
Na Haeo |
125 km |
| Nong Hin |
50 km |
|
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Festivals & Events
Dok Fai Ban Makham Wan Mueang Loei Red Cross Fair
When: Early February
Where: City Hall of Loei
The fair is held in front of the provincial hall during Chinese New Year in January-February.
The underlined activity of this fair is a procession represented by each district decorated
by the cotton products and highlighted by the beauty queen outstandingly sitting among the
cotton decorations. There is also Phi Ta Khon Ghost procession. In this festival there are
parade, booths of local products and OTOP products, music performances, Moh Lum, Red Cross
Beauty Contest, Thai country music singing contest.
Phra That Si Song Rak Fair
When: Late April - early May
Where: Wat Phra That Si Song Rak
The event aims to celebrate the age old bond between the Thai people of
Northern Loei and their boarder kin of southern Lao. The people preparing
propitiation sets which include one big banana leaf receptacle (Krathong)
and eight small ones. The ceremony must be finished before the monks’ midday
meal by floating the big receptacle on water and putting the small ones around
the temple.
After that, the public will bring scented water in the basin to douse a banquet
before sprinkling it against the relics. Males are allowed inside the parapet
enclosing the relics with Lord Kuan as the Ablutions Head. Females will perform
the ablutions only around the outside.
Explore the religious ceremonies: food offering, chamber cleaning, the Lord
Buddha’s relics homage paying, novice monk blessing, the Lord Buddha’s relics
worshipping, wax tree offering, Buddha image bathing, candlelight procession,
and the launch of bamboo rockets.
Phi Ta Khon Festival
When: June - July
Where: Dan Sai District
Phi Ta Khon Festival
Phi Ta Khon is one of the most colourful traditional festivals of Loei province
and it offers a unique experience to anyone who visits. Phi Ta Khon is a distinct
masked procession which takes place on the first day of the three-day Buddhist
merit-making holiday called Boon Prawat in Thai. This annual event, known to
visitors as The Ghost Festival takes place in June, usually the first week after
the 6th full moon of the year. The whole event is called Bun Luang, and the great
highlight of this unique festival is a long, colourful parade of young men who
dance and strike poses while wearing huge masks made from carved coconut-tree
trunks, topped with wicker work and sticky-rice steamers. These represent ghosts
and as they parade they carry a sacred Buddha image.
It is thought that the festival originated as a form of spirit worship with music
and dancing to appease the spirits who protect the local villages and ensure plenty
of rain for the upcoming harvest season. On the second day of the festival, the
villagers gather at the temple of Wat Ponchai to listen to the thirteen sermons
of Prince Vessandorn being recited by local monks.
The Poinsettia Phu Ruea Festival
When: November - January
Where: Phu Ruea National Park
This is largest producer of Christmas trees or poinsettia in Loei province, on the
area nearly 100,000 poinsettia trees are grown over 5-rai in Phu Ruea, giving the
provincial authorities a good reason to organise the Christmas tree festival or
Phu Ruea Poinsettia Festival. Visitors can enjoy to taking a picture of beautiful red
leaves of Christmas trees and at night, also enjoy beautiful lanterns lightened up
to celebrate the Christmas event.
Thai 
