Loei,
located in the upper northwest part of Isan, has a similar
topography and climate as North Thailand. Surrounded by mountains
that rise to 1,500 metres, temperatures fall during the winter
months November to February to produce frost on the higher
slopes. The year-round average on the higher mountains is
20 degrees Celsius, producing Temperate Zone flora.
Loei town stands in a valley running northwards to the border
town of Chiang Khan. The Loei River meets the Huang River,
which marks the border, and then flows northeast for a few
kilometres to Chiang Khan where it meets the Mekong River.
Highway 201 links Loei with this border town, a distance of
48 km. To the south, Loei airport is located 20 km from the
town. Highway 210 links
Loei with Udon Thani, a distance of 152 km.
About 520 km from Bangkok, Loei is located in the centre of
the province's 11,424 square kilometres, which are divided
into 12 districts and one sub district.
Loei Attractions: Chao Pho Kud Pong,
1 km east of Loei's city hall, is an old shrine worshipped
by local people.
Muang Toom is an ancient
city believed to have been established before the 11th century.
A Buddha image made of green granite was found here and now
is enshrined at a local temple named Wat Ban Ahee.
Another ancient town in the central
district, Muang Champa, is thought to be older than Muang
Toom. The town's principal attraction is a Buddha image that
is said to have come from Tibet.
The one-metre-high granite image is known as "The Black Faced
Buddha Image" after it was damaged by fire.
Phra That Satcha is a 33-metre-high
pagoda off Highway 210 with a three-tiered lotus motif. With
its seven-tiered white umbrella at the top, it resembles the
Phra That Phanom pagoda.
Phu Rua National Park,
nearly 1,375 metres above sea level, is located in Phu Rua
district, 50 km west of Loei on Highway 203. Temperatures
as low as 4c have been recorded here. The park's main peak,
Phu Rua or "Boat Mountain", is so named because it resembles
a Chinese junk. It is possible to drive to the top where the
views are spectacular. Accommodation is available at Phu Rua. More
