Loei

Hotels In:

• Bangkok
• Ayuthaya
• Chiang Mai
• Chiang Rai
• Hua Hin
• Khon Kaen
• Ko Pha Ngan
• Ko Samui
• Krabi
• Lampang
• Loei
• Pattaya
• Phuket
• Sukhothai
• Surin

The Loei province is located in Northeast Thailand bordering Laos. Loei is appropriately named as such because in Thai, Loei means ‘beyond’ or ‘farthest’ and Loei fulfills the description not only in location but with its climate. Because it is so far north, Loei is less visited by tourists and rewards those who visit the region with a peek into the tranquil side of Thailand without the hustle and bustle of tourists. Loei can be reached via bus from Bangkok’s Northern Bus Terminal (Mochit 2 Bus Terminal) as well as by train from Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Railway Station to Udon Thani and then a connecting bus to Loei. There are also airports in the region that offer connecting buses to Loei.

Loei province is a mountainous area with the capital Loei located in a basin surrounded by these mountains. The landscape is speckled with open plains, low mountains and the occasional waterfall. Surrounded by lush greenery and formidable mountain ranges, it is no surprise that the province has a number of national parks. The most popular and easily accessible of these parks is Phu Kradung National Park. The Park consists of a grassy plateau with a temperate, not tropical, climate and thus supports wildlife not found in more tropical parts of Thailand. Three days is recommended to explore the park fully and the park is closed from June to September due to rain. Wildlife commonly seen include elephants, sambar deer and gibbons. To get to the park, take a bus from Loei to the town Phu Kradung (journey takes about an hour and half) and from the town, take a songthaew (local bus) to the park’s visitor center.

Loei experiences an extreme climate; the region is often shrouded in fog and the temperatures can be the coldest during the cold season and the warmest during the dry season. The economy in Loei is driven by agriculture as evidenced by the various farms open to tourists. These farms open to tourists include the Sian Phu Ruea Orange Farm where visitors can taste and purchase oranges and the Sanya Mushroom Farm which produces Shiitake mushrooms. Another attraction is the Chateau de Loei Winery and Vineyard, which offers visitors with tastings of not only wine and grapes but local juices and vegetables. The vineyard produced its first bottling in 1995 and uses imported French equipment. According to their site, the climate and land of Loei is perfect for grape production.

Loei is certainly an undiscovered gem in the north of Thailand. It is rich in natural wonders and has been left undisturbed by tourists. Loei offers a change in pace for its lucky visitors and is a relaxing reprieve from the hustle and seediness of Bangkok and other tourist meccas.

  Favorite Nighlife in the Area

  Favorite Events in the Area

Thailand Travel Guide Thailand blends the exotic with modern convenience: Bangkok is a gleaming city with a robust traditional cuisine and a culture of devout Buddhism, while the ancient city of Chiang Mai is spa central. When you're done lapping all that up, move on to cloudy mountains or lounge around on the pearlescent sand of those famous beaches.