Loei
Since Loei is a border town adjacent to present-day Laos, or the Lan Xang Kingdom in the past, many temples and archeological sites in Loei reflect the influence of Lan Xang’s artistic style. Temples in Chiang Khan, Dan Sai and Na Haeo apparently reflect Lan Xang’s distinctive features in their Ubosot, an ordination hall, Wihan, an assembly hall, which houses the Buddha images and Ho Trai, al library sued to house holy scriptures. Notably, the sloping, superposed roof in some areas in the northern region, is typically Lan Xang.
1. Phra That Si Song Rak
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| This temple was built in 1560 as the symbol of fraternal relationship between Somdet Phra Maha Chakkaphat of the Ayutthaya Kingdom and Phrachao Chaiya chetthathirat of the Lan Xang Kingdom. The two kings pledged at this Phra That not to encroach upon the other’s territory, and to unify their forces against the invading Myanmar army. This Lan Xang-style Phra That is located on a hill by the Man River, at the supposed borderline between the two kingdoms. This brick-and-concrete, 30 meters high, chedi with a 12 cornered indented square base, has “cubical lotus” shape, similar to Phra That Phanom, in Nakhon Phanom Province, Phra That Luang in Vientiane, Phra That Si Khotta-bong in Lao’s Khwaeng Khammuan and many other chedi along the Mekong River. |
| On the 15th day of the waxing moon in May, people in Dan Sai hold a grand celebration at Phra That Si Song Rak, and offer 3 candle-made objects to this sacred Phra That. The first is Ton Phueng (see details in box); the second one is Thain Wian Hua or candles specially made to be flexible and long enough to circle around one’s head; and the third one is Thian Sen Khon Sen Sat or a bundle of small candles of the same number as family members and pets. | |
Do’s and Don’ts at Phra That Si Song Rak
1. Do not offer red objects or flowers to the Phra That.
2. Do not dress in red. This sacred Phra That was built as a symbol of sincerity and friendship, while red color represents blood and violence.
3. Do not put up an umbrella, wear a hat or shoes within the Phra That compound.
4. Do not bring children of less than 3 years old into the Phra That.
Note: Before performing any you are recommended to ask for advice from the officials there.
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2. Wat Pho Chai
 | Located in Tambon Na Phueng in Na Haeo, this important temple was supposedly built in late Ayutthaya period. The Buddha statue enshrined in the abbot’s abode has been revered as the town’s moral refuge for generations. Assumed to be of the Chiang Saen period, the statue depicts the meditating Buddha with an elongated face and a flamboyant topknot. The mural pictures in the wihan depict the Jakata, 10 previous lives of the Lord Buddha and local literature. The inscription on the northern wall states that these mural paintings were completed in 1852, during the reign of King Rama IV. The outer side of this wihan also shows mural paintings completed in 1916. |
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3. Phra That Din Thaen
No temple in Thailand is like Phra That Din Thaen. No brick and concrete were applied, but it was solely made of soil and was assembled by the faithful more than 200 years ago.
This highly revered religious site means so much to people of Na Haeo as Phra That Si Song Rak to Dan Sai. A visit to Phra Thaen is worthwhile, as it bestows not only moral happiness, but also an insight into the meaning of Phra That to the people’s way of life, specially those in Saeng Pha.
Legend held that once a wandering monk from the central plain stopped over at Saeng Pha village and asked the villages to jointly construct Phra That din Thaen within 3 years. The construction presumably stared in 1770. Upon its completion, the monk asked the people to abide by the Buddha’s 5 moral precepts and to pledge to respect the Triple Gems (i.e. the Buddha, the Dhamma-his teaching, and the Sangha-the monks). Besides, they were also requested to pay respect to Phra That on the full moon day in November, and to stop working and killing animals on the Buddhist holy days. This pledge has been strictly adhered to until today in Saeng Pha and nearby villages in Na Haeo.
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4. Na Haeo National Park
 | The 73,225 rai in this National Park covers mountainous areas extending from north to south, with Phu San Sai being the highest summit. Most Forests are dry evergreen forests with some deciduous trees and hill evergreen at higher altitude which serves as a natural boundary between Thailand and Laos. The park has a designated 7.2 kilometers long natural trail include Hin Si Thit – the 4 big square sand stones lying deep in the forest on the southern part of Phu San Sai. Hill 1408 on Phu San Sai is the highest spot and the central point of the Park, yet Hill 1205 only 1 kilometer away offers a viewpoint overlooking Laos as well as good campsite. |
Sights of interest around the park
Visitors can drive the park on Highway 1268 and Highway 1328 to visit various interesting sites along the way.
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5. Wang Tat Waterfall
 | About 4 kilometers from the park headquarters on the Na Haeo-Rom Klao Road Highway 1268 Wang Klao Waterfall is the first tourist attraction on the way. A short walk of about 70 meters is necessary to reach this 2-leveled, 5 meters high waterfall. |
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6. Chang Tok Waterfall
 | Located about 1 kilometer from Wang Tat Waterfall, Chang Tok Waterfall is about 8 meters high and 20 meters wide. |
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7. Khring Waterfall
 | Located only about 200 meters from Chang Tok Waterfall, the 2-levelded, 4 meters high and 10 meters wide Khring Waterfall is a more worthwhile stop than the first two. Its attraction is revealed in the beautifully and naturally arranged steps of big and small stones, whereby water gently flows down to the basin blow. Tables and chairs are available under thick tree shades for picnickers. On the other side of the waterfall is the pavilion, which H.R.H. Primcess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn once visited in early 1991. |
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8. Tat Hueang Waterfall
 | Very popular among the Thais and Laotians alike, this perennial waterfall originates from the Hueang River, which demarcates the Thai-Laotian border. Tat Hueag Waterfall thus is the only waterfall jointly owned by these two fraternal countries. It is also the biggest waterfall in Na Haeo, with a height of 30 meters and width of 40 meters. |
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9. Phu Hua Hom Park Guard Unit
This Guard Unit is located on the summit of Phu Hua Hom, on the same route as Tat Hueang waterfall. This location offers a good viewpoint onto Hill 1428, once the source of land dispute between Thailand and Laos and now a demilitarized zone.
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10. Than Sawan Waterfall
Loei adjoins the Mekong for a distance of about 96 kilometers from Chiang Khan to Pak Chom. This watercourse is narrow and meandering, on both sides by imposing mountains. The riverbed is filled with small gravel.
Highway 211 along the Mekong River from Nong Khai to Chiang Khan, unquestionably one of the most scenic routes in Thailand, promises a memorable and comfortable drive. Summer time offers even more fascinating scenery, as the low water level in the Mekong reveals hidden islands, islets and sandy beaches along the way. Tourist can also break the journey at many tourist attractions nearby.
1. Si Khun Muang
 | The temple was constructed before 1834 by Phra Khru Butdi, a former abbot of the temple, and his follows. Then ubosot, wihan and Buddha statue were built further by Phra Anu Phinat, the Governor of Pak Hueang or Chiang Khan together with his wife Nang Kuai, his children and the Pak Hueang officials. |
Another distinguished artifact in this temple is the Hang Hot, which was once commonly found in the northern region but is rarely seen today.
Hang Hot is along thin water pathway in the shape of a Suphannahong Royal Barge. When people pour water into one end of the pathway, water flows to the revered, high-ranking monks, or sometimes to the governor himself, who sits at the other end. This is a symbolic act of paying respect and well wishing.
2. Phu Thok
The summit of Phu Thok offers a good viewpoint overlooking Chiang Khan, the Mekong and Laos, especially at sunset.
3. Kaeng Khut Khu
 | Kaeng Khut Khu is formed with a large rock obstructing a curve of the Mekong River causing strong currents. During the rainy season, Kaeng Khut Khu is concealed under water, but during summer time in February-May, the rock and its surrounding sandy beaches spectacularly reveal themselves. Visitors can leisurely walk on some parts of it. |
Tourists who yearn for the close touch of the Mekong and its natural environment can take a 20-person boat to cruise for about 1 hour for a distance of 4 kilometers past Kaeng Khut Khu, Phu Khwai Ngoen and Phu Pha Baen.
Kaeng Khut Khu is also famous for many local food stalls operated by Ban Na Noi people. Apart from common mouthwatering dishes such as rossted chicken and papaya pha, kung ten and tomyam. These dishes are clean and reasonably priced.
4. Wat Phra Phuttha Bat Phu Khwai Ngoen
| | The Buddha’s Footprint is enshrined in the sala (or pavilion) on the right of the parking lot. The Footprint, registered as a historic site in 1935, is about 1.2 meters long and about .8 meter wide. On every 15th day of the waxing moon in February the temple holds a grand celebration. |
5. Ban Hat Bia
Amphoe Muang Loei could impart local appreciation to visitors before they head toward other tourist spots. Phra That Satcha in this district is the center of faith in Buddhism. The Loei Provincial Cultural Center recounts multi-dimensional ways of life in Loei’s yesterday ands today. The Sirindhorn Art Center serves as a cradle to impart artistic skills to the youth. Last but not least, Kuan Pha Lom National Park offers nature lovers chances to go cliff climbing and trekking in the dense forest engulfed by a fortress of mountains.
1. Phra Tha Satcha
| Phra That Satcha, literally meaning the temple of truthful pledge, was constructed one year after the collapse on 11 August 1975 of Phra That Phanom in Nakorn Phanom, which was probably the most revered Buddhist sanctuary in the whole northeastern region. As an imitation of Phra That Phanom, Phra That Satcha was constructed with the objectives to symbolically continue the spirit of Phra That Phanom, to sooth the people’s feeling of loss and despair from such tragic collapse, and finally to re-proclaim the pledge to preserved Buddhism in this region. The Buddha’s and his sublime follows’ relics, and the soil from Phra That Phanom, were consecrated inside Phra That Satcha. This 33-meter high Phra. That is located on a large rock foundation. It also has a seventieed an umbrella on its top. On the 15th day of the waxing moon in the February, the temple holds a grand celebration and opens its door for worshippers to gild the Buddha’s Footprints inside the Phra That. |
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2. Loei LProvincial Cultural Center
 | Located within the compound of the Ratchaphat Lori Institue, this Cultural Center is a must in the Center is divided into 3 sections. First section: The audio-visual room shows slides about the province and the objects used in daily live of local people. Second section: This temporary exhibition shows the various statues of the Buddha made of wood. Sand stone, terra cotta and silver, the masks worn during the Phi Ta Khon festival; and other old utensils collected from Loei villagers. Besides, the 3 |
-month mobile exhibition displays various themes depending on the ongoing festivals in Loei at that time.
Third section: Called Boeng Thai Loei, literally meaning “a glimpse of Loei,” this section displays a noteworthy and prominent permanent exhibition on various aspects of Loei, covering its geology, geography, history, culture and ethnic groups.
Loei Provincecail Cultural Center opens from Monday-Friday 8.30 am. – 4.00 pm. Free of change. Those who desire to visit the Center as a group should contact the Center beforehand to contact address is Loei Provincial Cultural Center, Ratchaphat Loei Institute, Thanon Loei-Chiang Khan, Amphoe Muang Loei, Loei 42000.
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3. Kuan Pha Lom National Park
Kuan Pha Lom, literally meaning “surrounded by mountain “, is the name of the mountain range in Tambon Nam Suai in Amphoe Muang Loei. The park is kfamous for its rugged piercing limestones surrounding more than 1,000 rai of evergreen forest.
Visitors to Kuan Pha Lom can enjoy themselves with cliff climbing and trekking in the forest amidst the fortress of mountains. Interesting places inside the park are the 3 big caves named Tham Lom, Tham Luang and Tham Phabong. A natural pond at the center of the forest is believed to be a sacred place whereby the serpent king passes to go underground to Wat Hin Mak Peng by the Mekong in Nong Khai.
A guided tour is required for visitors’ safety and environmental protection. Tourists, including food stalls and accommodation, are not yet to be provided. Camping is allowed within the Park Headqurters, which also offers toilets and bathrooms.
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4. Sirindhorn Art Center
Sirindhron Art Center was established at Si Songkhram Witthaya School, Amphoe Wang Saphung, from the initiation of an art teacher named Sangkhom Thongmi, whose students received many international painting awards.
The Art Center collects youth’s arts, rural arts, and the local art knowledge, for the benefits of youth, art teachers and the general public.
The Art Center is housed in 4 buildings on 6 rais of land. It displays nationally and internationally awarded paintings by local students and exhibitions on their lives. Sketches by various artists of various disciplines, including cartoonists, are exhibited to provide inspiration and guidelines for beginners. Some rooms are allocated for temporary art exhibition by the public. The Sculpture Garden around the Art Center has been arranged with the cooperation of the Painting, Sculpture and Printing Faculty of Silpakorn University.