Loei Attractions
Loei
The township of Loei, the heart of one of Thailand's most beautiful provinces, lies on the northern end of the Dong Phaya Yen mountain chain, the watershed between the Menam Chao Phraya and the Mekong. About 50 km (31 mi.) from the border with Laos, it has developed into a modest little regional capital, helped by cropping the local timber and fertile farming soil, but more especially by the mining of copper, manganese and other ores. Apart from the regular night market on Charoen Rat Road, however, Loei itself has nothing of interest, but the countryside around it is beautiful and unspoilt, especially in the Phu Kradung National Park.
By car: Highway 1/21/203 from Bangkok (520 km (323 mi.)), Highway 12 from Khon Khaen to Chum Phae, then 201 (209 km (130 mi.)), 210/201 from Udon Thani (143 km (89 mi.)).
By rail: nearest station Udon Thani.
By bus: from Bangkok Northern Bus Terminal (10 hours), connections from Loei, Chum Phae and Udon Thani.
The township of Loei, the heart of one of Thailand's most beautiful provinces, lies on the northern end of the Dong Phaya Yen mountain chain, the watershed between the Menam Chao Phraya and the Mekong. About 50 km (31 mi.) from the border with Laos, it has developed into a modest little regional capital, helped by cropping the local timber and fertile farming soil, but more especially by the mining of copper, manganese and other ores. Apart from the regular night market on Charoen Rat Road, however, Loei itself has nothing of interest, but the countryside around it is beautiful and unspoilt, especially in the Phu Kradung National Park.
By car: Highway 1/21/203 from Bangkok (520 km (323 mi.)), Highway 12 from Khon Khaen to Chum Phae, then 201 (209 km (130 mi.)), 210/201 from Udon Thani (143 km (89 mi.)).
By rail: nearest station Udon Thani.
By bus: from Bangkok Northern Bus Terminal (10 hours), connections from Loei, Chum Phae and Udon Thani.
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Phu Kradung
Phu Kradung sits at a high point of land and is known for dramatic cliffs as well as abundant wildlife and various plant species.
Tham Erawan
Tham Erawan, the elephant cave, lies 45 km (28 mi.) before Loei, coming from Udon Thai. People probably lived there in prehistoric times. The climb past a giant Erawan statue up to the cave, where light filters through holes and cracks into the lofty caverns, is quite difficult.
Chiang Khan, Thailand
(Near Loei)
Chiang Khan, 53 km (33 mi.) north of Loei, is on the banks of the Mekong, the frontier with Laos. Boats can be rented to travel down stream to the Kuang Kut rapids 4 km (21/2 mi.) to the south.
