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. In short, Loei’s geography and climate
is unique when compared to other I-San provinces.
Situated along the Phetchabun
Mountain Range, Loei, a province that rises
approximately 400 meters above sea level,
is dubbed “the land of seas of mountains,
the coolest in Siam”. Covering an area of
11,424 square kilometers (equivalent to 7.14
million rai of land), Loei Province, which
is 520 kilometers from Bangkok shares a border
with Laos to the north with the Khong and
Heung Rivers forming the natural border, with
Khon Kaen and Phetchabun Provinces to the
south, with Nong Bua Lamphu, Udon Thani, Nong
Khai and Khon Kaen Provinces to the east,
and with Phitsanulok Province to the west.
The province can be divided into three main
areas: the high mountains in the west, the
plains at the foot of the hills in the south
and the east, and the lowlands in the basins
of the Khong and the Loei Rivers.
Loei Province has an abundance
of precious resources such as forests and
natural resources. Of equal importance, however,
is its unusual mix of northern and northeastern
culture which is treasured by both locals
and visitors. This remarkable cultural blend
has produced more than one local dialect but
only one local identity.
Attractions within the province
that should be explored include Phu Kradung,
Phu Luang and Phu Reua National parks, as
well as Tha Li and Chiang Khan Districts.
Administratively, Loei is divided into 12
districts (Amphoes) : Mueang, Wang Saphung,
Phu Kradueng, Chiang Khan, Pak Chom, Tha Li,
Phu Ruea, Dan Sai, Na Haeo, Na Duang, Phu
Luang, Pha Khao, Erawan and Nong Hin.
History of Loei
Loei is a place where visitors
can track down pre-historic remnants such
as cave paintings depicting people, human
hands, animals and various symbols. Eleven
such caves have been discovered; two in Mueang
District and the other nine in Phu Kradung
District.
Fortunately, the province’s
isolation has helped in retaining local traditions,
while delaying and buffering against the intrusion
of external changes.
The provincial seal depicts the stupa at Phra
That Sri Songrak, which was built in 1560
by King Chai Chetha of Sri Sattana Kanahut
and King Maha Chakrapat of Ayuthaya as a memorial
of the demarcation of the border between the
two towns. The two kings ratified their common
border at the site where the Oo Stream meets
the Mun Stream (currently Dan Sai District).
Today’s Loei
Loei is a gateway to the
exploration of both natural and cultural attractions.
In addition, there are many traditions and
festivals that are well known among tourists
such as the Phi Ta Khon Procession, the Loei
Cotton and Tamarind Fair and Homage to Phra
That Sri Songrak Festival.
Due to its geographical diversity
and soil composition, agriculture is the basis
for the province’s economy. While the highlands
in Loei are favorable to warm-temperature
crops such as highland rice, macadamia nuts,
passion fruit, and Arabica coffee, the plains
at the foot of the hills are suitable for
tropical crops like soybean, bananas, maize,
sesame, rubber, grapes, and longan. On the
other hand, other lowland areas are good for
rice, cotton, mangoes, tamarind and flowers
like roses, jasmine and Thai Gerbera. However,
the main agricultural products are tamarind,
rubber, mangoes, longan, bananas and lychees.
