Although
geographically located in the northeast or I-San, Loei has many
things in common with the northern region – namely its numerous
high hills and mountains and its wintry as well as foggy climate.
Literally speaking, the province deserves its name “Loei”
which means ‘beyond’ or ‘to the furthest extreme’
as Loei lies in the northernmost part of the Northeastern region.
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.
