Isan Province Profile

Loei

Loei is one of Thailand’s most beautiful and unspoiled provinces. Within close range of four towering national parks, it makes a perfect base for an excursion into nature. Its unusual terrain allows for the most extreme temperatures in Thailand. In the winter it can fall to 0°C and in the summer it reaches temperatures not seen elsewhere in the country. The culture is an unusual blend of northern and northeastern influences which has produced several local dialects. Cotton is one of the region’s most important crops. Loei is a great place to buy cotton goods, especially heavy cotton quilts for winter.

loei map

Provincial Attractions

Phu Kradung National Park is the highest point in Loei province. About 80km south of Loei, it is marked by a large bell-shaped mountain capped with a plateau. 50 km of marked trails to meadows, waterfalls, forests, and cliffs make this a hiker’s paradise

Nam Nao National Park is a dream for any naturalist as it contains over a hundred mammal species, including forest elephant, barking deer, and a handful of tigers. Gibbons, leaf monkeys, and over 200 bird species also inhabit the park. Vegetation ranges from bamboo and banana to grasslands to dry evergreen and pine forests.

Phu Rua National Park gets the name “Boat Mountain” from its resemblance to an overturned boat, with the sharp ridge of its hull running from southeast to northwest. The park entrance lies about 50km west of Loei city. The park offers fine views of mountains in Sainyabuli Province, Laos.

Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park was once the headquarters of the Communist Party of Thailand. It made a good refuge as the park is full of rugged mountains and forest. The Communists are no more, but many of their former buildings remain amongst the mountain flora.

Chateau de Loei Vineyards is Thailand’s finest and most revered vineyard. The vintner is a friendly Australian and started from clippings brought from France. Visitors are more than welcome in the tasting room and for tours through the winery.

Festivals

Cotton Blossom (Dok Fai Ban) is celebrated in Kut Pong Park. The festival is held annually between 1-7 February. On the first day, a procession with beauty queens representing different cities and colorful cotton decorations makes its way through the streets. Highlights include entertainments, stalls selling local produce, and beauty contests.

Phi Ta Kon Festival is observed in the town of Dan Sai (80km southwest). Held over three days, townsfolk dress up as spirits in patchwork rags and bright masks in order to encourage the heavens to open and bring rain. Locals also fire dozens of bamboo rockets in the air and parade the town’s most sacred Buddha image in the streets.