Loei is one of the most sparsely populated provinces (changwat) of Thailand, located in the North-East of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from east clockwise) Nong Khai, Udon Thani, Nongbua Lamphu, Khon Kaen, Phetchabun, Phitsanulok. In the north it borders Xaignabouli and Vientiane Province of Laos.
Loei is a city surrounded by undulating mountain ranges whose summits are covered by foggy lines, abundant with various kinds of flora. The well-known ones are Phu Kradueng, Phu Luang and Phu Ruea.
History
In 1853 king Mongkut (Rama IV) founded the city of Loei to better administer the increased population in the area. In 1907 the province was created.
Symbols
The seal of the province shows the stupa at Phra That Si Song Rak built in 1560. It was built by King Maha Chakrapat of the Ayutthaya kingdom, and King Chai Chetha of Lan Xang, and marked the friendship between the two kingdoms. The provincial tree is the Khasi Pine (Pinus kesiya).
The provincial slogan is City of the Sea of Mountains, Coldest Place in Siam, and Beautiful Flowers of Three Seasons.
The temple houses Prasat Thong Pagoda that contains relics of the Lord Buddha and Arhats. This temple is a quiet place where a famous monk, Phra Achan Man Phurithata Thera, practiced his meditation.
This is the "real" Phu Tham Phra, we had been searching for in Yasothon. In 2007 we finally went to this rocky and wooden area in the northern part of the province. Several old Buddha images are located in the small cave, which is really more a covered area amongst the rocks. A modern temple building has also been built on the temple grounds, containing some newer Buddha images.
Phraya Phakdi Chumphon (Lae) Monument is located in the district of Mueang Chaiyaphum. It is actually located at Sun Ratchakan Roundabout, which is on the way to the city. The monument was built in 1975 and is dedicated to the first governor of Chaiyaphum. The governor was called Chaopho Phraya Lae by the locals.
As per historical records, during the reign of King Rama II, in 1817, Nai Lae, who was court official of Chao Anuwong of Vientiane, moved with his family and followers to Ban Nam Khun in Nakhon Ratchasima district after crossing the Mekong River. Thereafter, the community moved to Non Nam Om, around 6 kilometers from the center of Chaiyaphum. Later the community moved once again and this time to a location within present-day Mueang District.
Here they became subjects of the town of Nakhon Ratchasima and took King Rama III as their lawful king. The community did not consider themselves under the authority of Chao Anuwong of Vientiane. King Rama III, made the town in Chaiyaphum District where the community was living and appointed Khun Phakdi Chumphon (Lae) as the first governor.
However, Chao Anuwong of Vientiane led an army to attack Nakhon Ratchasima in 1826. This prompted Khun Phakdi Chumphon to join hands with other governors of the neighboring provinces to fight him. The Thai army won but Chao Anuwong was not captured. He later returned to capture Khun Phakdi Chumphon and executed him under a tamarind tree near Pla Thao Swamp.
To honor the ultimate sacrifice done by Khun Phakdi Chumphon, he was conferred the title Phraya Phakdi Chumphon and a monument was later erected to honor his good deeds and sacrifice.
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It is situated at Ban Kwao, Tambon Kwao, Amphoe Muang, 13 kilometers along Jaeng Sanit road fromtownship area. It is an archaeological site having construction age of over 700 years ago.
It was built of sand stone in the shape of a square tent having the height from the ground to the peak of eight meters, and the width of five meters. In the sanctuary there are two earthenware idols in the attitude of sitting crossed-leg holding conch shell in between the two palms placing against each other at the chest level.
It is surrounded by the cloister having the single entrance in the east and the Bannalai is situated in the southeast corner. There is only entrance into the main Prang and it is located in the east too while the others on the rest of the three directions are false doors. Frames and lintels are made of sand stone and
the Fine Arts Department has finished the excavation already.
Phrathat Phanom Fair : The annual celebration is scheduled to be held from the 10th day of the waxing moon to the 1st day of the waning moon of the 3rd lunar month. It is an important celebration for the people of Nakhon Phanom and nearby provinces.
Illuminated Boat Procession (Huea Fai) : Held from the full moon day to the 1st day of the waning moon of the 11th lunar month, the procession always illuminates the Mekong River in front of the city hall. The dazzling procession is held to welcome the Lord Buddha back to Earth after preaching to his mother in heaven during the three-month period of Buddhist Lent.
As part of the inherited tradition, the illuminated boat procession is among the numerous offerings to the Lord Buddha. The celebration has been handed down since ancient times. In the past, the illuminated boats were 10-12 metre long rafts made of a banana trunk or bamboo.
The raft was loaded with desserts, offerings, flowers, joss sticks, with candles and lamps to illuminate it before being launched onto the river. Today, the boat is built to be larger and much more extravagant. And it impressively illuminates the river during the festival.
Boat Races (Suang Huea) : The old tradition is held annually at the end of Buddhist Lent. It is quite successful to strengthen the harmony and relationship between the Thai and Laotian people along the Mekong River. The 3-km races take place on the Mekong River, in front of the Nakhon Phanom Embankment. The races are quite exciting as strong currents make them more difficult.
‘Saek Ten Sak’ Tradition : The ‘Pestle Dance” belongs to the Saek ethnic group in At Samat Village, 4 km. from Nakhon Phanom. The dance is performed annually on the 3rd day of the waxing moon of the 3rd lunar month to please the spirit.
If the dance is to be performed in another period, the spiritual leader will have to ask for permission by offering a pig’s head, 20-baht cash, and liquor, then pick up a predictive coloured stick. If the leader picks up a stick of the same colour, that means the spirit does not allow. The dancers will perform to the fast rhythm of drums and striking pestles painted in red and white.
‘So Thang Bang’ Tradition : The ‘So’ ethnic group, both men and women, perform this traditional dance in the funeral to send the soul of the deceased to heaven. The ‘So’, who speak their own language which sounds like Mon and Khmer, settled down in Amphoe Tha Uthen, Amphoe Na Kae, and Amphoe Si Songkhram.
Phu Thai Dance : The dance of the ‘Phu Thai’ ethnic group is performed in festivals during the 5th and 6th lunar months. Although the dancers do not perform synchronically, the dance entertains the audience with beautiful postures from the dancing couples, male and female.
It is located at Ban Yang Ku, Tambon Ma-ue. Prang Ku is a complex of buildings with a plan that resembles the Khmer nursing home known as ‘Arogayasala’. It comprises the main prang, a library, wall and entrance pavilions, and a pond outside of the wall. The ruins are in good condition, especially the roof structure of the main prang which still maintains its three tiers and the lotus base of the pinnacle. Other ruins of the temple have been restored and are located in a shady environment.
Apart from this, to the southeast inside of the front wall, there are many more archaeological finds being kept such as a sandstone lintel depicting a personage sitting on an elephant’s or bull’s back in a niche above the Kala face. The abbot of Wat Si Rattanaram where Prang Ku is located said the lintel belonged to the front porch of the main prang.
There are also 2 fragments of colonnette; one with a hermit at the base, a large Siva Lingam with its receptacle – Yoni - and a fragment of the pinnacle’s lotus base, which was adapted to be the base of a stucco image of Phra Sangkatchai. Prang Ku was built during the 12th – 13th Century A.D.
To get there: From the city, take Highway No. 23 (Roi Et – Yasothon) for 10 km. until reaching Thawat Buri district, then turn left for 6 km. to Prang Ku. Or take Highway No. 2044 (Roi Et – Phon Thong) for 8 km., then turn right for just about 1 km. to Prang Ku.
Phra That Na Dun is antiques that are more than 1300 years old.The search was first excavated. Mined by several people groups. But when officials at the Fine Arts Unit 7, Khon Kaen is tracking the object in respect of each.
As part of the excavation. It can be shown that the combination is compatible with each other very good shape.
Phra That is in the area once was ancient town called Champasi. Lots of archeological artifacts are found and now kept in Khon Kaen National Museum. The most significant items found was the stupa housing relic of the Lord Buddha kept in gold, silver, and bronze boxes.
Tham Siam Sap - It is a cliff cave that looks like somebody had dug the cave with a spade or 'Siam'.
Tham Phra Rot - It is a cave that occurred due to the separation of a stone cliff. Inside the cave, there is a walkway of about 2 metres wide and 30 metres long.
Tham Phra - It is a cave 30 metres in depth. There is a Buddha image that is highly revered by locals. Every year during the Songkran Festival, people would ascend to the cave to pour lustral water on the Buddha image to pay respect.
Phra Phutthabat Bua Bok Worship Fair
This annual fair is held during the13th – 15th waxing moon days of the 3rd lunar month with booths of goods and local products for sale.
Thung Si Mueang Udon Thani and Mi-khit Cloth Fair
This annual fair is held around December. There are booths of goods and local products, such as silk cloth, Khit-pattern woven cloth, hand – woven cloth, Mi-Khit cloth, and a golden dragon show from the Chaopu – Chaoya Chinese Spirit Shrine.
Phrathat Renu. - The stupa houses the ‘Tipitaka’ – the three divisions of the Buddhist Canon, gold and silver Buddha statues, precious items and regalia of Nakhon Phanom’s rulers and noblemen.
Phrathat Si Khun. - The stupa is a sacred place for Na Kae people. Phrathat Si Khun is similar to Phrathat Phanom, but it has different details.
Phrathat Tha Uthen. - The large three-storey, 15-metre high stupa was built in 1911 to cover a tunnel containing precious items as well as to house Arhat’s relic from Yangon.
Phra Bang, Wat Trai Phum. - Phra Bang is a standing Buddha image in the gesture of stopping the flood built in the Lan Xang style. The people believe that the sacred Buddha image always attracts rain whenever the image is taken in a rain-begging parade.
Wat Pho Si. - The temple houses ‘Phra Thong’, a bronze Buddha image in the gesture of subduing Mara built in the Lan Xang style in the early Ayutthaya period. Phra Thong will be watered on the full moon day of the 6th lunar month.
Bun Boek Fa Fair and Red Cross Fair : Held annually on the third lunar day of February to celebrate the early period of harvest season, the fair aims also to conserve Isan cultural heritage. There is parade to honour the goddess of rice and Baisee ceremony. Moreover, fair goers can enjoy various local performances.
Phra That Na Dun Festival : The Celebration is held annually on the full moon of February in Maka Bucha Day at Buddhist Park of Isan. The week long celebration will features Buddhism-related activities such as giving alms to the monks, vipassana practice, dhamma lecture, and the glory performance “Champasi-Natakan”.
On Son Klong Yao Festival : The annual festival is held during March 12-16 at the field by Amphoe Wapi Pathum Office. The fair features long drum contest, float of long drum, Isan traditional performances, beauty contest, performances.
Monkey Feeding Festival : Held every April 2 at Kosamphi Forest Park, Amphoe Kosumpisai, it is festival that people can feed monkeys in Kosumpi Botanical Park.
Rocket Festival : Held every May and April at the field by Amphoe Na Chuak Office, the festival organizes rocket contest and float.
Candle Festival : The festival is held at Amphoe Kosum Phisai to mark the Buddhist’s Lent. The festival features float and candle contest.
Boat Race, Loi Kratong, and Candle Boat festival : Held annually to mark the end of Buddhist’s Lent at Bung Bon, close to Kosum Phi Botanical Park, the festival feature boat race, Loi Kratong, and candle boat. Kratong float and cheer leader contest will be held.
Situated 470 kilometers from Bangkok, Maha Sarakham is a small province in the North East part of Thailand. Being the educational hub of the region, this place is also known as "Taksila of Isan". Maha Sarakham is famous for its historical sites, beautiful Buddha images, exquisite hand woven silk and cotton fabric.
There are 2 important temples -- Wat Suwanawas, housing the Phra Buddha Ming Muang and Wat Puttha Monkhon, housing the image of Phra Buddha Yuen Mongkhon. Both these temples are important places of worship in Maha Sarakham province. Located in Kantharawichai in the province of Maha Sarakham, these ancient images of standing Buddha are made of red sandstone in Dvaravati-style and both are over 1,000 years old.
Another important Buddha image, named Phra Buddha Ratanamonkhol Mahamunee, housed in Wat Buraphaphiram is said to be the tallest standing Buddha image in the world and attracts a large number of tourists everyday. An important tourist destination is the Phra That Nadoon Chedi, housing some of Buddha's relics. The location of the Chedi in a beautiful park making it an attractive place to visit.
Kosamphi Forest Park famous for its monkey population is located on the Mun riverbank. Worth a visit are also the Chi Long Forest Park and the Pa Dun Lamphan Forest Park, both of which house a large variety of flora and fauna. Trekking and bird watching in these forest parks are a delight.
Although there is no direct train from Bangkok to Maha Sarakham, tourists can take a train directly up to Khon Kaen and take a connecting bus to Maha Sarakham. Both air-conditioned and non air-conditioned buses are available from Bangkok's Mochit 2 Bus Terminal to Maha Sarakham every day. Tourists can even fly from Bangkok to Khon Kaen and then take a connecting bus to Maha Sarakham.
Namtok Chang Tok is located 500 metres higher than Namtok Khing which is also along the Phrae River. It is steeper than the lower one.
Namtok Wang Tat is situated 1.5 kilometres above Namtok Chang Tok and located along the Phrae River as well.
Namtok Tat Hueang or Namtok Thai-Lao is along the Hueang River, consisting of 3 different tiers with a height of approximately 50 metres. There is water throughout the year.
Namtok Pha Khao is along the Heuang River, a border between Thailand and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.
Namtok Huai Phai - This waterfall is dropping from a steep cliff with an approximate height of 30 metres. The water from this waterfall is also utilised to produce pipe water in Amphoe Phu Ruea.
Namtok Tat Hong is a waterfall located within the compound of the national park. When falling from the cliff to the basin, it creates a loud and resonant sound of water. Therefore, it is called “Namtok Tat Hong”.
Air
Strategically important for the Isan region's infrastructure, Udon Thani's airport was raised to international standard in 2006 with the opening of a new terminal to compliment its existing domestic arrival and departure building which is now defunct. At peak times of the year there may be as many as 20 scheduled flights per day operating in and out of Udon Thani, thus making it one of the country's busiest domestic airports.[citation needed] Currently, two budget airlines, Air Asia and Nok Air, and the national carrier, Thai Airways, operate from the airport.
Road
The city is bisected by Mittraphap Road, the highway linking Bangkok with the Northeast and Laos. A modern, multi-lane ringroad system enables through traffic to bypass the city centre either to the west or the east. It connects to the airport and to the main roads leading to Nong Bua Lamphu province in the west and to Sakhon Nakhon in the east.
Rail
A station in the city centre on the main Bangkok - Nong Khai line provides the city with regular services to and from the capital and Nong Khai.
Bus
Essential local and city services are provided by songthew truck and pickup truck busses, while regional and long distance destinations are served by regular bus vehicles from several bus terminals. The long distance 'VIP' First Class busses operate from a terminal in the city centre and connect Udon Thani with daytime and overnight routes to Bangkok and many province capitals.
Kaeng Mon Noi
These rapids are around 800 m away from Wang Yai pond. Cascades against boulders which were eroded by water form beautiful waterfalls at certain points along their course.
Kaeng Hin Hom
These large split-level rapids are around 100 m from Kaeng Mon Noi. The resonant roar is heard in the distance during the rainy season when there is a lot of downpour.
Namtok Than Ngam Forest Park
Around Than Ngam Waterfall is Mixed Deciduous Forest; major species are Ta baek, Pradu, Daeng, Makha mong, Chingchan, and Krabok. The waterfall contains water at certain times; there is a lot of water during the rainy season.
Ban Thai Phuan
This area is an ancient site where archaeological excavation was conducted and many ancient objects were found.
Kham Chanot
This sacred place gains respect from villagers in neighbouring areas. It is said to be an entrance to the water world, a legendary place concerning the great Naga (serpent). Inside, there is a shrine of Chaopu Sisuttho and a sacred well for worship.
Dok Fai Ban Makham Wan Mueang Loei Red Cross Fair is held in front of the Loei City Hall during 1–9 February every year. Parades from various districts, as well as, cultural performances are highlights of the fair.
Thai – Lao Songkran Festival is organised in Amphoe Tha Li during 12–15 April of every year. It is uniquely different from other places due to the large number of Laotian people participating in the activities of the festival such as Songkran Beauty Contest and water splashing with Thai people.
Bun Bang Fai Lan Festival is held within the compound of Wat Erawan Phatthanaram, Amphoe Erawan on the full moon day of the 6th lunar month or during May of every year. It is the biggest festival of Loei. There is a contest of rocket processions from various communities.
Phrathat Si Song Rak Fair is an annual event organised on the full moon day of the 6th lunar month, around the end of April until early May to celebrate Phrathat Si Song Rak, a significant place of worship of the town. A holy ceremony is also conducted in the festival such as a worshipping ceremony to Phrathat by presenting Ton Phueng Yai, Ton Phueng Noi, and Phrathat bathing.
Bun Luang Festival and Phi Ta Khon is held annually in Amphoe Dan Sai on Saturday to Sunday after the full moon day of the 6th lunar month, and after paying respect to Phrathat Si Song Rak. Phi Ta Khon is a local activity of Amphoe Dan Sai and Amphoe Na Haeo, relating to the belief and faith in Buddhism and the spirit of ancestors. Phi Ta Khon parades are organised in the Bun Luang Festival, an annual local merit making ceremony. Phi Ta Khon is usually participated especially by males both boys and men.
The festival is organised in 2 days. On the first day, the Phra Upakhut procession proceeds from the Man River to Wat Phon Chai and on the next day, it will enter the town, while the Phi Ta Khon participants will throw their costumes and accessories away into the Man River. After that, a series of all 13 chapters of the Great Birth Sermon will be given during the event.
Chiang Khan’s End of Buddhist Lent Festival is organised in front of Chiang Khan District Office on the full moon day of the 11th lunar month every year. This festival has been passed on for generations. There is the Prasat Phueng procession, long-boat races, Ruea Kap races, illuminated boat contest, Tak Bat Devo, and various local cultural shows and entertainment in the festival.
Sea of Fog and Beautiful Flower Blossom on Phu Ruea (Winter Flowers Fair, Amphoe Phu Ruea) is held on the ground in front of Phu Ruea District Office during the New Year Festival, around 31 December – 3 January every year. Activities in the festival comprise a temperate plant fair, floral float parade, temperate flowers and decorative plants contests, Mae Khaning evening party, dances in the winter breeze.
The Chaopho Phraya Lae Festival is held from the 12th until the 20th of January each year in front of Chaiyaphum City Hall and the Chaopho Phraya Lae Monument Intersection.
The Chaopho Phraya Lae Worship Ceremony is held at the Nong Pla Thao Shrine on the first Monday of May every year (It lasts for 3 days and 3 nights). The locals will pay respect to Chaopho Phraya Lae’s spirit and perform traditional dances in front of the old shrine. There is a contest of local food, folk sports competition and a "Bai Si" procession contest.
The Candle Festival is a festival organised by the Chaiyaphum Municipal Office on the full moon day of the 8th lunar month (around July). There is a candle contest. This event is widely popular and similar to the candle procession of Ubon Ratchathani.
The Ram Phi Fa Tradition is a ceremony worshipping certain sacred objects and the "Phrachao Ong Tue", a Buddha image engraved out of sandstone with a height of 2 metres. The locals consider this Buddha image as very holy.
Many people will participate in this ceremonial dance. The ceremony is organised twice a year on the 13th to 15th day during the waxing moon of the 5th lunar month (in April) and the first day during the waning moon of the 3rd lunar month within the area of Khao Phu Phra, Ban Na Kai Sao and Na Siao Sub-district in Mueang District.
The Bun Duean Si Festival is a festival of the people of Khon San, comprising merit-making on the dark moon day of the 4th lunar month (Duean Si) and a "Saba" competition on the 1st to 3rd day of the waxing moon during the 5th lunar month (around March). The Saba competition is challenged for the winner prize creating amusement within the compound of Wat Chedi, Khon San District. It is the only Saba competition performed in Northeastern Thailand.
The Dok Krachiao Blossom Festival is held at the end of June to July at Pa Hin Ngam National Park, Thep Sathit District. It is during the rainy season when the blossoms of the wild Krachiao flowers - in a purplish pink colour - are widely found in the area. Therefore, this area is known as Dok Krachiao Field. During the festival, there is a nature tour around the national park and local performances.
Pa Hin Ngam National Park is located on Phang Hoei mountain range comprising undulating hills with a height of 300-846 metres above sea level, covering deciduous dipterocarp forest, dry evergreen forest and mixed deciduous forest, with a diversity of ecology. There are many kinds of wild flowers in the same species of Dusita, En A, and orchids, as well as, various species of wildlife, comprising more than 56 kinds of birds, 21 types of mammals, and 10 categories of reptiles.
Tourist destinations within the national park are as follows:
Lan Hin Ngam is a location where there are a lot of large rocks in strange shapes scattered in an area of more than 10 rai. It has occurred from the erosion of the soil and rocks into different shapes, which can be imagined as many kinds of objects and animals such as nails, radar, hens, etc.
Dok Krachiao or Bua Sawan Field Krachiao – a kind of curcuma - is an annual plant in the same species as ginger-galingale, scattered generally from Lan Hin Ngam to the Sut Phaendin viewpoint. It is suitable for travelling during the rainy season from June to August.
Sut Phaendin is a steep cliff and is the highest point of Phang Hoei mountain range, 2 kilometres from the Office of the National Park and 846 metres above sea level. It is the cliff connecting between the Central and Northeastern regions. At this viewpoint, the panoramic view of a complex mountain range with a cool breeze throughout the day can be admired.
The small waterfall runs through 4 levels into a pond. Located in the area. Phu Lanka. Caused by multiple lines on the mountain streams flow into the creek confluence Kham. The waterfall is not very high. And nearby. A small stone courtyard. Relax.
A waterfall flowing storied of 4 floors only the final stage, the basin flooding throughout the year, Tat Kham is known of the people nearby provinces such as Nong Khai, Sakon Nakhon, Udon Thani, etc. are people visited every day by approximately 100 people on average. and holidays. Will have at least 400-500 people.
