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.

Options in Loei, Thailand
     As a province somewhat off the typical tourist route, Loei is best reached via private car or public bus. However, it is possible to take a train or plane to nearby Udon Thani and then a bus to Loei. Once there, it may be easier to get around with your own car, but there are standard forms of local transport available for visitors: i.e. songtaew, motorbike taxi, and tuk tuk.

    Getting to and from Loei

    By Train:
    There is no railway station in Loei. However, visitors can take a train from Bangkok Railway Station (Hua Lumphong) to Udon Thani and then take a bus to Loei. For further information, please contact the State Railway of Thailand at Tel. 1690, 0 2233 7010, 0 2223 7020 or www.railway.co.th or the Udon Thani Railway Station at Tel. 0 4222 2061.

    By Car:
    From Bangkok take Highway No. 1 (Phahonyothin Road), passing through Amphoe Mueang of Saraburi. Turn onto Highway No. 21 past Phetchabun, and then take Highway No. 203 through Amphoe Lom Sak and Lom Kao into Loei province. The trip takes approximately 7 to 8 hours.

    Otherwise, from Saraburi, take Highway No. 2 (Mittraphap Road) past Nakhon Ratchasima to Khon Kaen and turn left onto Highway No. 12 through Amphoe Chum Phae. Finally take Highway No. 201 into Loei province, a total distance of 540 kilometers.

    By Bus:
    The Transport Co., Ltd. provides daily busses between Bangkok and Loei including both normal busses and air-conditioned coaches. The trip takes approximately 10 hours. For further information, please contact the Bangkok Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit 2), Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road, Tel. 0 2936 2841-8, 0 2936 2852-66 or visit www.transport.co.th.

    Private bus companies servicing Loei include the following:
    Chumpae Tour Ltd. Contact their Bangkok office at Tel. 0 2936 3842 or Loei office at Tel. 0 4283 2285
    Phet Prasoet Co., Ltd.’s Contact their Bangkok office at Tel. 0 2936 3230, Amphoe Phu Ruea Office at Tel. 0 4289 9386, Amphoe Dan Sai office at Tel. 0 4289 1908.

    By Air:
    At present, there are no regular commercial flights to Loei. The nearest airport with regularly scheduled flights is Udon Thani, which is serviced by a number of domestic air carriers. From Udon Thani it is possible to get a bus or rent a car in order to travel to Loei.

    Getting Around Loei

    As in most rural Thai provinces there are typically songtaews that follow established routes around the provincial capital and between towns within the province. Songtaews depart from the Bus Terminal on Maliwan Road.

    Traveling from the center of the province to other districts and nearby provinces can be done by busses that depart from the Bus Terminal on Maliwan Road.

    Getting to Phu Kradueng National Park:

    By car:
    From the center of Loei town, take Highway No. 201, the Loei – Phu Kradueng route, 75 kilometers from the province and turn right into Highway No. 2019 for 8 kilometers to the park office.

    By bus:
    Tourists can travel on the Bangkok - Loei bus and get off at Pha Nok Khao, which is a connecting point between Chum Phae and Phu Kradueng. From this point, there is a mini bus to Phu Kradueng National Park. Otherwise, tourists can take the

    Bangkok – Chum Phae bus, get off at Chum Phae Market and continue with the

    Chum Phae - Pha Nok Khao bus to Pha Nok Khao. There will be a minibus (Songtaew) there that provides shuttle service into the national park.