Loei, Loei Province, Thailand

Flight from Bangkok arrived Loei city on a cloudy afternoon, a quiet city to the north-northeast of Bangkok. Motor cycle-tuk tuk driver at the airport was reluctant at first to take me to the hotel without a bargain, but after a second thought he agreed. Quite hotel, close to the main fresh vegetable and meat market in the town.

Loei is a small city, in the north-eastern Thailand and is surrounded by mountain ranges. Loei province is famous for its national parks associated with mountains, such as Phu Kradueng, Phu Luang, Phu Rea etc. North-south trending Loei river, a tributary of the Mekong river, is quietly meandering through the city, creating a lot of oxbow lakes. It is quite amazing to see the number of oxbow lakes associated with this river, and is a beautiful view to watch from the air. Oxbow lakes are U-shaped, free-standing body of water that forms when a meander is cut off from the main course of the river. One of these oxbow lakes, Kut Pong is near city center.

After a friendly chat with the hotel owner, especially asking him for places where I can get breakfast and etc, set out for a walk around the town. At first I searched for the coffee shop suggested by the hotel owner and thought of a jasmine green tea to refresh my poor nerves. I never had such a very strong jasmine green tea in my entire life. Then, i walked towards the Park near the Kut Pong oxbow lake. it was almost 5.30pm in the evening, sunset is much early here, during this time of the year. A much bigger park is located to the other side of the main road, probably the biggest hotel as well. A fully lighted up, narrow hanging bridge installed across the river is a nice view at night.

Kut Pong Oxbow lake, Park is to the left.

View of one of the intersections.

Street view, Charoen Rat road

Kut Pong Oxbow lake in the evening

A Small bridge across the Loei river, connecting to the Park Near Loei Palace hotel

Fresh vegetable & Meat Market, Loei

Lottery Seller, Loei

A well equipped gym, Loei

Loei Bus station

One morning, after breakfast, I went for a long walk along the meandering river, starting from the Loei palace park all the way to the fresh Market. Water level in the river is low, fishing nets were installed in a circular shape at many places.

Loei river

A typical thai architecture to keep houses in pillars, that can be seen almost all over in the rural areas in thailand. Probably to save houses from frequent floods in the past.

A small wooden house, Loei

The hotel receptionist mentioned to me about the small hill near the city called Phu Bo Bit forest park. It is only 6km from the city centre and one of the evenings I took a motor cycle taxi to the foot of the hill. There is a long transport vehicle to carry visitors up to certain height where roads are available. Then you need to walk along the side of the hill to reach a small cave temple. From there you need to climb 600 steps to reach the summit of the hill. It is an easy climb. From the top of the hill, we can get wonder full of the Loei city and surrounding mountains. This is a popular spot for sunset and also to see the night view of the city.