Although geographically 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 distinction of the mercury plummeting to zero Celcius. Loei is 520 kilometers from Bangkok.
Phu Kradung National Park Is located on a high plateau about seventy kilometers from Loei on the Khon Kaen-Loei Highway. Lush and fertile, it is the home of many types of wildlife. With an elevation of 1,324 meters, the Park is ideally suitable for cold climate plants and trees. Bungalows and tents are provided by the National Park Section, Forestry Department, and prior reservation ahould be made through tel. (662) 579-0529, 579-4842 to ensure over night stay. As for private accommodations, the April Camping Co.Ltd. offers approximately 200-300 small bungalows, each of which can accomodate two guests. For additional information and reservation, please contact Tel.(662) 270-0090.
Attractions & Places of Interest
Phra That Si Song Rak is located on the bank of Man River about one kilometer away from Amphoe Dan Sai. Constructed in 1560, it commemorates the mutual cooperation between Krung Sri Ayutthaya and Krung Sri Satana Kanahut (Vientiane). The structure is about 30 meters high and its annual celebrations are attended by thousands of people.
Phu Rua National Park 1,375 meters above sea level, is another majestic mountain with a vast pine-covered plateau on top. A cliff shaped like the bow of a Chinese junk juts out over the mountain. There are lodgings provided at the park and prior reservation is needed by contacting tel. (662) 579-0529, 579-4842. The park is 59 kilometers from Loei or 9 kilometers from Amphoe Phu Rua. There are buses leaving both from Loei and from Amphoe Lom Sak of Phetchabun to Phu Rua daily.
Kaeng Khut Khu Rapid on the middle of the Maekhong River at Amphoe Chiang Khan creates a narrow but extremely swift current. Immersed in and smoothed by the rushing water for countless years, the rocks produce multi-colored scenes of unique beauty.
Wat Sri Khun Muang Is located to the North of the Chiang Khan market. The main chapel is shaped like those found in the North. The wall murals depict a religious legend.
Phra That Satcha is located in the area of Wat Lat Pu, Ban Tha Li. On the Hghway 201, turn left at the junction to the Highway 2115 Tha Li-Ah route. The Wat is 2 kilometers from Amphoe Tha Li Administrative Office. The architectural structure of Phra That Satcha consists of the blossomed lotuses with 3 layered petals, one meter high sprung around the pagoda. The Phra That, similar in style to Phra That Phanom, is 33 meters high and topped with the white 7 tiered umbrella of sovereignty.
Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the high plateau with an elevation of 1,550 meters. The area of Phu Luang covers several districts; Wang Saphung, Phu Rua, Dan Sai and Phu Luang. Travel 35 kilometers from Amphoe Wang Saphung to Huai Kung and take a walk to the Loan Tae tourist resting spot, 7 kilometers away. Phu Luang forest is a blend forest of trpical and colder mate forest. Wild animals are abundant. Arranging for transportation, accomodation and sight-seeing is only by Phu Luang Tourist Office, Amphoe Wang Saphung Administrative Office. Prior reservation is advisable, Tel. (6642) 841-141. The sancturary is closed during June-September for restoration.
Transportation to the Phu Kradung National Park Trains leave Bangkok Railway Station for Khon Kaen. From there take a Khon Kaen-Loei bus to the market in front of the Amphoe Phu Kradung Aministrative Office. Next, a minibus to the office of the Phu Kradung National Park 5 kilometers away. This is the starting point of the trekking jouney to the peak of the mountain. From there, a 5-kilometers long footpath leads to "Lang Pae". Then, after 4-kilometer walk along a pasturage you will arrive at the bungalows on Phu Kradung. At your convenience, the office provides you with porters to carry your luggages to the mountaintop.
Buses from the Northeatern Bus Terminal in Bangkok (Mo chit) also depart for Amphoe Phu Krakung Bus Terminal in Tambon Pha Nok Khao. From there take a local bus to the office of the Phu Kradung National Park, and trekking from there on to the top.
Phu Pha Man National Park Is situated at Km. 264 of Loei-Chum Phae Road not far from Pha Nok Khao. Attractions in the park include several caves with stalagmite and stalactite, prehistoric wall paintings and three beautiful waterfalls.
Cotton Blossom (Dok Fai Ban) at Loei The festival is held annually at the Kut Pong Park between 1-7 February. On the first day, a procession in colourful cotton decoration and beauty queens prepared by different Amphoes makes its way through the street. Highlights include entertainments, stall selling local produce and beauty contents.
Phi Ta Khon Festival The festival has its origin in a traditional Buddhist tale. When Prince Vessandorn, the Buddha's punultimate 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 festival is held during May or June every year.
http://sunsite.au.ac.th/ThaiInfo/TourismInThailand/northeast/loei/
Where ever I go, I’m always in search for the spots that have very few, or no tourists. I believe it’s a much better way to see the country for what it really is. In Thailand, those rare locations/experiences are becoming harder to find.
My first experience of being the only foreigner with 2000 or so Thai’s was on a trip to Phu-kadung National Park in Loei. I went along with a Thai friend and his friends from work and it turned out to be an amazing experience.
Phu-kadung National Park hosts one of the biggest mountains in Thailand, standing at 1360 meters high with a 60 square kilometer plateau at the top. The best time to go is during the cold season, around September/October time.
Firstly, you need to get to Loei either by bus which takes 10 hours from Bangkok or you can fly with Nok Air to Loei airport which takes an hour. We choose to fly.
After landing at Loei airport we got a tuk tuk to Loei bus station and boarded a bus to the outskirts of Phu-kadung national park. When we got dropped off we had to que for maybe an hour to get a ride in a tuk tuk to the park entrance. Here you can grab something to eat and have the opportunity to pay someone to carry your bag up the mountain! Most people choose this option as the hike to the top of the mountain takes around 8 hours.
The mountain is split into 5 or 6 sections, where each level has a selection of shops where you can buy food and drink. This was my first real mountain hike, and I’ll be honest, it did take a lot more energy out of me than I first thought. Some stages are more difficult than the others, with the most difficult stage near the top. This involved real climbing, with people helping each other holding their hands out to pull people up.
When you get to the top, it is very rewarding. The view, as expected, is amazing. Once you reach the plateau you need to walk about 2 miles before reaching the camping site. Here you can rent tents and bedding. You then go and set up pretty much where you want.
During the evening we had some dinner at the many market style restaurants, grabbed some beers and headed over to the man with the guitar. It was a very memorable night sitting there slowly but surely getting drunk, under the stars with 100 or so Thai’s trying to get to know me.
I was woken up at 5am by my friend who wanted to go and see the sunrise, to be honest I was too tired from the previous days walking and beer so I gave it a miss. Around lunch time I queued up for an hour or so at the shared showers, cold showers!
We then went exploring around the plateau, seeing the different views in all 4 directions and then proceeded to the tip to watch the sun set. I can clearly remember the walk back. It was a real struggle putting one foot in front of the other, with the inside of my thighs sore from so much walking.
The next day we hiked back down the mountain, which was a lot easier than I originally thought. The hike down took us around half the time it took us to go up.
If you enjoy hiking, or want to experience being the only foreigner amongst 2000 or so Thai’s, I highly recommend visiting Phu-Kradung mountain.
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