Loei
"เลย" is one of the top attractive province in the northeast of Thailand. Full of many interesting activities, whether it be a chilled vacation by Mekong river, or climbing up the mountain summits whose are covered by fog and abundant of varied flora, or visiting historical site and enjoy some ancient art. The most important thing is “Loei” is a nice and small town, people are kind and cheerful. Therefore “Loei” attracts every generation of tourists.
Visit just once and you will fall in love with “Loei”.
Loei (Thai: เลย, pronounced [lɤ̄ːj]), is one of the more sparsely populated provinces(changwat) of Thailand. It lies in the Isan region of upper northeastern Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from east clockwise) Nong Khai, Udon Thani, Nong Bua Lamphu, Khon Kaen, Phetchabun, and Phitsanulok. In the north it borders Xaignabouliand Vientiane province of Laos. Loei was founded by a Thai tribe from the Kingdom of Yonok Chiang Saen. Khun Pha Muang founded the village of Dan-kwa, and Bang Klang Hao founded Dan Sai. Drought and disease later led to the villagers move to the site of present-day Loei.
Explore Chiang Khan Walking Street and the night market
This busy street runs parallel to the Mekong River in the Chiang Khan municipality and both sides of the road are lined with houses, most of them two-storey and wooden in construction, some of which have been converted into guesthouses, small hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops. Each morning on the walking street locals come to partake in ‘Tak Bat Khao Niao’, an alms-giving ceremony passed down from the ancestors. Visitors wishing to present the monks with sticky rice as part of the ceremony should ask at their accommodation or buy some from the vendors roadside who set up around dawn Walking street is open from 16.00 hrs. daily and the morning alms-giving ceremony takes place between 05.30 – 06.30 each morning.
National parks
There are four national parks, along with two other national parks, make up region 8 (Khon Kaen), and Na Yung–Nam Som in region 10 (Udon Thani) and Phu Hin Rong Kla region 11 (Phitsanulok) of Thailand's protected areas.(Visitors in fiscal year 2024)[13]
| Na Yung–Nam Som National Park | 397 km2 (153 sq mi) | (9,520) |
| Phu Pha Man National Park | 350 km2 (140 sq mi) | (37,404) |
| Phu Kradueng National Park | 348 km2 (134 sq mi) | (66,941) |
| Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park | 307 km2 (119 sq mi) | (223,790) |
| Phu Ruea National Park | 121 km2 (47 sq mi) | (78,909) |
| Phu Suan Sai National Park | 117 km2 (45 sq mi) | (13,942) |
Wildlife sanctuaries
There are three wildlife sanctuaries, two of which are in region 8 (Khon Kaen), and Phu Khat in region 11 (Phitsanulok) of Thailand's protected areas.
| Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary | 897 km2 (346 sq mi) |
| Phu Khat Wildlife Sanctuary | 241 km2 (93 sq mi) |
| Phu Kho–Phu Kratae Wildlife Sanctuary | 232 km2 (90 sq mi) |
Phu Kradueng mountain, made up of Jurassic and Cretaceous sandstoneformations, takes the form of a mesatowering some 1,000 meters above the surrounding valleys. The summit plateau is roughly square-shaped and 60 km2 (37,500 rai) in size, with an average elevation of about 1,250 meters. Sloping slightly to the north, its western, southern, and eastern edges are fairly straight and formed by abrupt sandstone cliffs, while the northern part is deformed in a more irregular shape, containing a number of streams and (seasonal) waterfalls. The summit itself, in the southwestern part of the plateau, is inconspicuous. The park occupies an area of 217,576 rai ~ 348 square kilometres (134 sq mi)
Gesneriaceae
Common Localities to Find Gesneriads in Loei:
Microchirita suwatii D.J.Middleton & C.Puglisi, sp. nov.
The Suan Hin Pha Ngam Park is located in Puan Phu, Nong Hin, Loei. The Suan Hin Pha Ngam Park is a garden with beautiful limestone mountains and long period erosion. There is a path that winds go through the rocks, which takes visitors to the Suan Hom and Phiang Din Waterfalls. In addition, there are many rare plants and trees age hundreds of years old.
How to get there: The Suan Hin Pha Ngam Park is south of town on Highway No.201. Proceed past Wang Saphung to Nong Hin for 20 kilometers.
Loei province is a well-known biodiversity hotspot for the Gesneriaceae (gesneriad) family in Thailand. Its unique blend of limestone karsts, sandstone mountains like Phu Kradueng, and elevation gradients harb a wide variety of these shade-loving, often endemic, flowering plants.
Notable Gesneriaceae species and genera found in Loei include:
- Chayamaritia sirindhorniana: A recently described (late 2024) and highly localized endemic to the province, known specifically from its type locality in Loei.
- Microchirita suwatii: Described in 2023, this specific Gesneriad is known to inhabit karst limestone areas in the Phu Bo Bid Forest Park in Mueang Loei.
- Microchirita luteola C.Puglisi เลย หนองหิน สวนสวรรค ผางาม
- Microchirita aratriformis (D.Wood) A.Weber พืชถิ่นเดียวที่พบได้ในบริเวณสวนหินผางาม (สวนสวรรค์) อำเภอหนองหิน
- Oreocharis hirsuta: A succulent, pendulous herb that can be found clinging to rocks in oak forests, prominently at elevations around 1,300 m on Phu Kradueng.
- Paraboea species: Several unassigned or specifically identified Paraboea species (sometimes referred to locally by Thai naturalists) thrive on the shaded rocks of Loei's mountainous and limestone terrains.
- Paraboea thailandica ined. ชาฤๅษีถิ่นไทย สวนหินผางามใกล้ผานกเค้า
- Paraboea swinhoei (Hance) B.L.Burtt ผานกเค้า
- Paraboea harroviana var. harroviana ชาฤๅษีเล็ก เนียมฤๅษี ฝอยหิน หนาดหิน
- Dorcoceras: Found naturally in rocky and mountainous micro-climates in Northeastern Thailand.
- Didymocarpus biserratus barnett ดอกใบหยัก A succulent, pendulous herb with dark purple flowers that grows on rocks in oak forests, notably found in Phu Kradueng National Park.
- Didymocarpus bicolor Craib ภูเรือ ภูหลวง
- Didymocarpus purpureopictus Craib ภูเรือ ภูหลวง
- Henckelia moniliformis เศวตนาด้วง หรือ ดาวสร้อยไข่มุก พืชชนิดใหม่ของโลกที่พบในป่าโคกผาดำ อำเภอนาด้วง
- Henckelia: Various species within this genus occur naturally in northeastern Thailand, including highly specific habitats found in Phu Ruea.
- Aeschynanthus humilis Hemsl.
- Microchirita sp. ม่วงเมืองเลย วังสะพุง
Common Localities to Find Gesneriads in Loei:
- Phu Kradueng National Park: Known for its plateau elevations around 1,300m, providing the perfect humid, shaded conditions for succulent, pendulous species.
- Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary: Rich in endemic flora where many original type specimens were collected.
- Phu Ruea National Park: Ideal for moisture-loving plants growing along high-altitude streams and rocky crevices.
- Doi Suwan Temple (Phu Kradueng): A specialized locality where unique regional plants, including certain Paraboea species, have been documented.
Hight light: Flora of Nan
Phu Bo Bit Forest Park is an accessible natural viewpoint located in Mueang Loei District, just 3 to 5 kilometers from Loei city center. 
Overview & Hiking Experience
Overview & Hiking Experience
- The Hike: The trail is roughly 1 to 1.5 kilometers long and consists mostly of steep and spiral stairs (made of sturdy steel) that take about 30 to 40 minutes to climb.
- Views: The summit offers a stunning 360-degree panoramic view of the surrounding mountains, distant cityscapes, and a famous sea of mist during the cooler or rainy months.
- Entrances: There are two main access points via local monastic centers—Niramit Phu Bo Bit Monastery (gentler stairs all the way) and Sutthisalaktham Forest Monastery.
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| ถ้ำพระ |
Microchirita suwatii D.J.Middleton & C.Puglisi, sp. nov.Similar to Microchirita tetsanae C.Puglisi, M. thailandica C.Puglisi and M. poomae C.Puglisi & D.J.Middleton in the relatively large purple-blue flowers but differs in the larger corolla 36–41 mm long (17–26 mm long in M. tetsanae, ca 23 mm long in M. thailandica, 27–32 mm long in M. poomae), the pistil being densely eglandular pubescent except at very base (glabrous at least in lower 1⁄3–1⁄2 in M. tetsanae and M. thailandica, glabrous throughout in M. poomae). Also similar to M. albocyanea C.Puglisi but corolla larger (21–25 mm long in M. albocyanea), upper corolla tube purple (whitish in M. albocyanea) and anther hairs white (orange in M. albocyanea). Microchirita suwatii differs from M. limbata C.Puglisi in having larger corolla (14–16 mm long in M. limbata) and eglandular hairs on the inflorescence (glandular in M. limbata). Type: Thailand, Loei, Mueang, Kud Pong, Phu Bo Bid Forest Park, 528 m, 12 Oct. 2017, Suddee, Hemrat, Suwannachat & Kiewbang 5317 (holotype BKF [SN232940]; isotypes BKF [SN232939], SING).
Suan Hin Pha Ngam Park
How to get there: The Suan Hin Pha Ngam Park is south of town on Highway No.201. Proceed past Wang Saphung to Nong Hin for 20 kilometers.
Paraboea thailandica ined.
ชาฤๅษีถิ่นไทย
Ornithoboea puglisiae S.M.Scott/
ขนตาเสือ
Most similar to Ornithoboea calcicola in the elliptic sepals with a narrowly acute apex but differs in having shorter fruits with a persistent style, glabrous anthers, and petioles up to twice as long. Differs from Ornithoboea wildeana in its shorter corolla, smaller lower lobes with triangular apices and shorter sepals. TYPE: Thailand, Nan, Muang Nan, Tham Pha Toop, Trail to Phra Cave, 300 m, 16 August 2012, D.J. Middleton, P. Karaket, S. Suddee & P. Triboun 5617 (holotype E; isotypes BKF, P).
Microchirita luteola C.Puglisi
Similar to Microchirita tubulosa (Craib) A.Weber & D.J.Middleton but differs in not having spots inside the lateral corolla lobes, having an entire disk (usually dorsally cleft in M. tubulosa), glandular indumentum on the stems (vs. eglandular), and acuminate calyx lobes (vs. usually acute, more rarely slightly acuminate). It is also similar to Microchirita marcanii in the shape of the corolla, but differs in the mixed eglandular and glandular indumentum on many plant parts (eglandular only in M. marcanii (Craib) A.Weber & D.J.Middleton) and the corolla colour pattern (light yellow corolla with a yellow stripe vs. orange corolla with lateral purple spots). Finally, it differs from Microchirita elphinstonia (Craib) A.Weber & D.J.Middleton in having a glandular indumentum and in the larger and much paler yellow corolla.
– TYPE: Loei, Nong Hin, Suan Sa Wan, Pha Ngam Forest Park, 662 m, 11 September 2014, Tetsana, N. et al. 829 (holotype BKF; isotype SING)
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