Phu Ruea National Park

Phu Ruea National Park

This National Park with an area of 75,525 square kilometers has a vast pine-covered plain 1,365 meters above sea level at its summit. Due to its high elevation and cool climate visitors are drawn to the Park all year round. However, during the cool season, visitors flock to the Park to experience wintry weather. Attractions in the Park include observation points, waterfalls, rock gardens, and caves. In particular there are Pha Lon Noi, which offers a spectacular sunrise and beautiful scenery, Pha Sub Thong, a very steep cliff, Namtok Huai Phai, a 30 meter-high waterfall, and Phu Ruea Summit, which provides a fine view of Huang and Khong Rivers. In addition, there are several resorts on the slopes of Phu Ruea, as well as Chateau de Loei Winery, a huge vineyard with modern wine-making facilities. The Park is located 60 kilometers west of Amphoe Muang on Highway No. 203.

Phu Kradueng

Phu Kradueng National Park

This is the ultimate destination for many Thai trekkers. The goal is to hike up to the summit and conquer the distance of 1,325 meters above sea level. At the top of Phu Kradueng is a wide plain of about 60 square kilometers. There is a cold-climate pine forest and a grass field full of wild flowers and orchids that bloom in different seasons. In addition, there are several lovely waterfalls and an observation point that is provides spectacular views during sunrise and sunset.
To get there, take Bangkok-Loei bus and get off at Pha Nok Khao, the boundary between Khon Kaen and Loei. From there, take a mini-bus to the park office at the foot of the mountain and walk up Phu Kradueng for 6 kilometers. The park is open during October to May and closed during the rainy season to rejuvenate the flora and fauna. Park attractions include: Pha Nok Aen, the cliff that offers a breathtaking view of the crimson sunrise, Pha Lom Sak, a sandstone ledge jutting into space providing a fine view of the hills and valleys and Pha Yiap Mek, where cottony clouds suggest a misty world of shadow figures.
The park is open to visitors from 7.00 a.m. until 2.00 p.m. daily and is closed for forest regeneration during 1 June – 30 September every year.

Facilities:

Phu Kradueng National Park provides accommodations and has stores selling food and drinks. Call the Park at 042 871333 or 02 561 4292 – 4 (Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plants in Bangkok) for more information and reservations.

Namtok Tat Hong

The waterfall, which is 40 meters high, is located in Phu Kradueng National Park and was opened as part of an adventure trail “Trace the route of Seri Thai, tour the jungle of Tat Tong”. The trail was once used by the Seri Thai Freedom Movement to travel from Loei to Phetchabun during WWII and to allow Field Marshal P. Pibulsongkram to escape Japanese forces. Along the trail are other interesting spots such as Tat Huai Wua, Hat Sai Khao, Kaeng Hin Tang, Phu Hang (pre-historic color drawings), Phu Lat Mueang viewpoint and Wang Phong Yiam rafting point.

Travel to Thailand at Loei Province

General information

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.