Loei province Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Loei

เลย

Province

Flag

Seal

Motto(s):

City of the sea of mountains, coldest place in Siam, with beautiful flowers of three seasons

Map of Thailand highlighting Loei province

Country

Thailand

Capital

Loei

Area

• Total

10,500 km² (4,100 sq mi)

Area rank

Ranked 16th

Population

(2019)

• Total

642,950

• Rank

Ranked 42nd

• Density

61/km² (160/sq mi)

• Density rank

Ranked 68th

Human Achievement Index

• HAI (2017)

0.5819 "average"
Ranked 42nd

Time zone

UTC+7 (ICT)

Postal code

42xxx

Calling code

042

ISO 3166 code

TH-42

Vehicle registration

เลย

Loei (Thai: เลย) is a beautiful province in Thailand. It is located in the Isan region, which is in the upper northeastern part of the country. Loei is known for its mountains and cooler weather.

It shares borders with several other Thai provinces: Nong Khai, Udon Thani, Nong Bua Lamphu, Khon Kaen, Phetchabun, and Phitsanulok. To the north, Loei borders Laos, a neighboring country.

History of Loei Province
Exploring Loei's Geography
- National Parks in Loei
- Wildlife Sanctuaries in Loei
People of Loei
Symbols of Loei
Loei's Economy and What They Produce
How Loei is Governed
Getting Around Loei
Human Achievement Index
Gallery
See also

History of Loei Province

Loei province was first settled by a Thai group from the ancient Kingdom of Yonok Chiang Saen. Two leaders, Khun Pha Muang and Bang Klang Hao, founded early villages here.

Later, due to dry weather and sickness, the villagers moved to the area where Loei city is today. In 1907, King Chulalongkorn (also known as Rama V) officially made Loei a province. You can learn more about Loei's past, its religions, and traditions at the Loei Cultural Centre.

Exploring Loei's Geography

Phra That Si Song Rak, a famous stupa in Dan Sai district

Loei is a very mountainous province. The main city of Loei sits in a fertile valley surrounded by tall mountains. These mountain tops are often covered in fog and have many different kinds of plants.

Some of the most famous mountains in Loei are Phu Kradueng, Phu Luang, and Phu Ruea. The Loei River flows through the province and eventually joins the Mekong River. The Mekong River forms part of Loei's northern border with Laos.

National Parks in Loei

Loei province is home to several amazing national parks, which are special protected areas for nature. These parks help protect the forests, wildlife, and beautiful landscapes.

Phu Kradueng National Park: This park is famous for its bell-shaped mountain, Phu Kradueng. It's a popular spot for hiking and enjoying nature.
Phu Ruea National Park: Known for its cool climate and beautiful flowers, especially during the winter.
Phu Suan Sai National Park: This park offers stunning views and diverse plant life.
Phu Pha Man National Park: Features limestone mountains and caves.
Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park: While mostly in Phitsanulok, a part of this park extends into Loei. It has unique rock formations and historical significance.
Na Yung–Nam Som National Park: Another beautiful park that helps protect the region's natural environment.

Wildlife Sanctuaries in Loei

Besides national parks, Loei also has wildlife sanctuaries. These areas are even more focused on protecting animals and their habitats.

Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary: A large sanctuary known for its diverse wildlife, including elephants and various bird species.
Phu Khat Wildlife Sanctuary: This sanctuary provides a safe home for many animals.
Phu Kho–Phu Kratae Wildlife Sanctuary: Another important area for protecting local wildlife.

People of Loei

Loei province is home to several groups of Tai people. The original people of the area are called the Tai Lue. Other groups living here include the Phuan, Tai Dam, Thai, and Chinese people. The Tai Phuan people moved to Loei from Luang Prabang in Laos a long time ago.

Symbols of Loei

The official seal of Loei province shows the stupa at Phra That Si Song Rak. This important monument was built in 1560 by two kings: King Maha Chakrapat of the Ayutthaya Kingdom (from Thailand) and King Saysettha of Lan Xang (from Laos). It was built to show the friendship between their two kingdoms.

The official provincial tree of Loei is the Khasi pine (Pinus kesiya).

Loei's provincial slogan describes it well: "city of the sea of mountains, coldest place in Siam, with beautiful flowers of three seasons." This highlights its many mountains, cool weather, and colorful plant life.

Loei's Economy and What They Produce

Agriculture is a very important part of Loei's economy. Farmers grow special crops like macadamia nuts, passion fruit, and Arabica coffee in the cooler highlands. On the flatter lands, they grow bananas, sesame, and rubber.

Loei is also a popular place for ecotourism. This means people visit to enjoy its natural beauty and learn about its unique mix of northern and northeastern Thai cultures.

In Wang Saphung District, there is a large gold mine. This mine provides jobs for many local people.

How Loei is Governed

Loei province is divided into 14 main areas called districts (amphoe). These districts are then split into smaller parts called subdistricts (tambons), and even smaller units called villages (mubans).

Here are the 14 districts:

Mueang Loei
Na Duang
Chiang Khan
Pak Chom
Dan Sai
Na Haeo
Phu Ruea
Tha Li
Wang Saphung
Phu Kradueng
Phu Luang
Pha Khao
Erawan
Nong Hin

Getting Around Loei

You can travel to and within Loei using different routes. Route 201 goes from Chiang Khan in the north, through Loei city, and down to Non Sa-at. Route 203 heads west towards Phu Ruea and then turns south.

Loei also has its own airport, Loei Airport, which makes it easier for people to visit.

Human Achievement Index

The Human Achievement Index (HAI) is a way to measure how well people are doing in different areas of life, like health, education, and income. In 2017, Loei province had an HAI value that was considered "average," ranking 42nd among Thailand's 76 provinces. This index helps show areas where a province is doing well and where it might need to improve.