Tourist spendings will also increase – it is expected that they will reach THB10,000 per person.
While Loei still remains out of radar of foreign visitors, the province boasts interesting tourist attractions, rich culture and beautiful natural environment. Located some 550 km northeast of Bangkok, Loei is easily reached via a 70-minute flight or an 8-hour road trip either by bus or car.
Bordering with Laos from which it is separated by the Mekong River, Loei has been historically contended for centuries with Ayutthaya and Lan Xiang Kingdoms before definitively becoming a Thai province in 1907. The language, the culture and the food still show a strong Lao influence, partly because of the history and partly because of the neighbouring Isaan provinces.
Some of the most prominent attractions in the province include Phu Kradueng, a mighty table mountain that requires a strenuous trek as well as several other mountains like Phu Ruea, an ideal point for sea of fog watching. Chiang Khan, a small authentic town by Mekong, is a popular weekend destination for the Thais offering unique glimpses into the old days. Phi Ta Khon, an annual festival held in a town of Dan Sai, Loei province, is among the most colourful and unusual celebrations in the country, draws hordes of visitors to the region around June.
Loei, Thailand Expects Growth of Tourist Arrivals
News in Asia
Thailand's northeastern province of Loei expects at least 5 percent expansion of tourist arrivals the next year – up from this year's projected 3.5 million, a result of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s efforts to promote tourism in the country's secondary destinations.