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Propagator

It is in the Loei area that I stay when I come to Thailand, have to really as it is where the g/f lives. Her place is in a small village called Tat Kha not far from Phu Kradueng. I always hire a car so get around quite a lot. So over the next few days will try and give a whistle stop tour of places that I like.

Now this first place is close to where I stay so I go to it quite a lot. It is on the main road to Loei (Route 201) about 4 or 5 kms from Phu Kradueng.



This is a man made lake and and has had these rafts assembled on it.
A rope runs between the two banks of the lake and you can haul the raft to the middle or other side. There are some restuarants here which in my opinion serve good food. As this is mainly where the locals come to relax the prices where very good, large bottle of Leo I thinkwas 50 baht.
In all the times that I have visited here have only seen one other Farang, and he was a local.

The food you can have on one of the rafts or in little huts by the side of the lake. Most of the rafts have a Kharioke system on them.



In the background is the main road to Loei.



^ Thais having fun.


^ One of the restuarants.

There is also a good massage place here. 100 bahts for 1 hour -
no happy endings, but the massages are great. At one time I had three girls working on me for nearly the whole hour and was still only charged the 100 baht. Guess they must have been practising. Sod it, forgot to get the pictures off the video so will post them later.

All in all it is a nice place to spend a lazy afternoon and at no great cost.

Propagator

The massage hut



One of the girls working there

hillbilly

The rafts look like a good place to go fishing. Nice photos!

mrsquirrel

My favourite place Loei province.

I like ot go upto Chaing Khan and spend time there.

Hopefully get back there this october.

stroller

Great stuff!
Is Loei part of Isaan or does it belong to the North?

Propagator

HB - Looked as tho there were some pan sized fish. They were feeding well when we threw in some crumbs. Going give it a try myself next time.

Mrsquirrel - A bit about Chiang Khan will follow.

Stroller - The girl says that it is Issan.

Propagator

Right, continuing on the journey around the Loei Province. From the last place continue North about 15 km until you come to Nong Hin on route 201. Turn left in the middle of the town (its the only left turn) and follow the road for about another 6 km, its not a good road, full of potholes, some quite deep. You will then come to a place which I believe the locals call 'China Mountains'. Working it out on the map I think it is in the Phu Luang area.



Bear in mind that most of these places are well off the normal 'tourist track' and I hope that it stays that way. It is very popular with the Thai people. There is a number of restuarants, food stalls, and other various stalls that sell souveniers and local produce etc. There are also paths laid out that will lead you around the area. Along this path you come across this



it was really nice and serene.



How trees grow out of the rocks like this baffles me. Would not think that they would get enough water to survive.



Not a good photo as was pinched from the video I took and was on high zoom. Would have liked to get closer to have a better look at the rock formations.

About a km further on was this waterfall. Meanders down with a number of rock pools. Keep on saying I will go down to the bottom of it but never wear the right shoes.!!



Hope I am not boring you with all this . More to follow tomorrow.

mrsquirrel

Good stuff makes me want to go back now.

I have been looking into 10 rai up there on the new road joining to Tak.

ChiangMai noon

Beautiful pics.
How long would it take to ride there from ChiangMai??

Propagator

^ Took me 6 and half hours from Chiang Mai and had my foot down as much as possible. Would be much quicker on the bike as can overtake easier. .

ChiangMai noon

I really fancy a trip up there.
Where do you stay when you go?

Propagator

Still aint found the other photos of Loei. Will get some next time out but its a long wait till January when I go again. .

Heading out North from Loei, still along route 201 brings us to Chiang Khan about 48 kms away. Once there take a right through the town for about 4 kms, turn left to go to Kaeng Kud Koo. I've seen a few variations of the spelling of this so maybe some one will tell me what is correct. Another km further and we come to the Mekong River. The photos of this have been taken at differant times of the year so you can see the differance in water height. The rocks in the right background form the Kaeng Kud Koo rapids.



^ Taken December



^ Taken April



^ Taken August

We often come here as it is a nice drive from Loei and a good way to spend a nice day. Besides the girls favorite restuarant is here. There are two or three restaurants, a variety of stalls selling touristy stuff, which were expensive. Some clothing stalls which were reasonably priced, also a number of others selling deep fried banana (like crisps)
and dyed coconut?



We always buy some of this stuff to take back to the family and it don't last long. I am told - 'can only buy here'. Whether that means its not sold anywhere else or that this is the best I don't know, but cannot recall seeing it anywhere else.

They do boat trips from here for 300 baht, but have not been on one myself yet, so for how long, and up or down river I don't know.

Propagator

As I said its the girls favorite restauant here. Its set along the bank of the river and probably about 100 metres long. There are some tables and chairs at one end for people that dont like sitting on the floor, but the rest is family areas separated with bamboo poles. Her favorite meal is the 'jumping or dancing shrimps', live shrimps in a hotpotch of chillies and herbs etc



The plastic plate is to keep the buggers in, and below the 'coup de grace' by shaking them until they are stupified in the mixture



She ate three plates of these. God knows where she puts it.....
Its reasonably priced - I think I paid about 600 baht which included poached fish, rice, tom yam and 3 large beers.

Other essential facts - Parking 5 baht per day. Toilets 3 baht and they are very clean. There is also a hotel or resort type guesthouse here for those wishing to stay the night. Couple of more photos:-



^ These were being set up for the Songkram - no shortage of water here.



Net Fishing ^

Over the weekend will move on to Phu Rua. .

mrsquirrel

I go in October normally CMN so you get the mist of the Maekong in the mornings.

I have a few pics of Chiang Khan somewhere that I can dig out.

Propagator

CMN - Loei town is pretty central for visiting the province. If we want to get away from family will go to the Kings Hotel in Loei. 400 baht for twin A/c, Tv etc. 600 baht for Junior suite. Hotel is clean, good parking at the rear, has massage room and restuarant. Breakfast is crap though. Will post a picture of junior suite when I find it.

mrsquirrel

King is a really nice hotel.

I went there years ago when it was tatty as fuck last time I went back it was there or the Armari. 1600 vs 600 a night for a nice suite. Kings won strangely enough.

benbaaa

Nice thread, Propagator. Have some benbaaa lovin'.

Thetyim

Small and medium size hotels in Loei


Hotels in city areas

Kings
11/9-12 Chumsai Road. [40 rooms: 280 - 1000 Thai Baht]
Phone : 042-811 783, 811 701

D-Phak Dee
8 Eou Aree Road. [12 rooms: 100 - 120 Thai Baht]
Phone : 042-811 294

Phu Kham
Loei college institute. [20 rooms: 50 - 200 Thai Baht]
Phone : 042-813 416

Ratchanee Resort
247 Moo 5 Tambon Meoung. [5 houses: 700 - 2500 Thai Baht]
Phone : 042-811 522

Meoung Fai
191/1-9 Charoen Rat Raod. [60 rooms: 200 - 500 Thai Baht]
Phone : 042-811 302

Meoung Loei Resort
Km. 5 Loei-Wangsapung Road. [60 rooms: 300 Thai Baht]
Phone : 042-832 865

Sri Sawat
18 Ruam Chit Road. [14 rooms: 60 - 120 Thai Baht]
Phone : 042-811 574

Sarai Thong
25/5 Ruam Chit Road. [56 rooms: 90 - 160 Thai Baht]
Phone : 042-811 693

Chiang Khan district

Kaeng Khud Khu Resort
40/3 Moo 4 Tambon Chiang Khan. [8 rooms: 200 Thai Baht]
Phone : 042-821 248

Chiang Khan Hill Resort
Kaeng Khud Khu 28/2 Moo 4 Tambon Chiang Khan. [19 rooms: 420 - 2200 Thai Baht]
Phone : 042-821 285; Bangkok phone : 02-580 6201, 588 3634

Chiang Khan Guesthouse
182 Chiang Khan Road. [11 rooms: 50 Thai Baht]
Phone : 042-821 029

Nam Guesthouse
112 Rim Khong Road. [5 rooms: 150 - 250 Thai Baht]
Phone : 042-821 295, 821 342

Nong Sam Guesthouse
407 Moo 1 Tambon Chiang Khan. [5 rooms: 70 - 100 Thai Baht]
Phone : 042-821 457

Phun Sawat
251/2 Chai Khong Road. [9 rooms: 50 - 80 Thai Baht]
Phone : 042-821 114

Sek San Resort
Kaeng Khud Khu 9/1 Moo 4 Tambon Chiang Khan. [6 rooms: 200 - 750 Thai Baht]
Phone : 042-821 409

Suk Somboon
243/2 Chai Khong. [17 rooms: 100 - 150 Thai Baht]
Phone : 042-821 004

Pak Chom district

Phak Chom Guesthouse
Soi 1 Rim khong Road. [3 houses: 50 - 70 Thai Baht]
Phone : 042-811 021

Wang Saphung district

Khun Phaen Resort
404 Moo 6 Maliwan Road. [17 houses: 300 - 700 Thai Baht]
Phone : 042-841 500

Boon Chok Resort
Km. 15 Maliwan Road, Ban Pak Puan. [40 rooms: 280 - 1000 Thai Baht]
Phone : 042-813 404, 832 081, 832 181

Phu Pha Sing Valley
149 Loei-Udon Road. [5 houses: 300 - 2500 Thai Baht]
Phone : 042-841 333, 841 666

Wang Nam Phung Resort
217 Moo 5 Maliwan Road. [11 houses: 200 - 400 Thai Baht]
Phone : 042-813 404, 832 081, 832 181

Hor Luang Resort
159 Moo 6 Tambon Pan Puan. [8 houses: 250 - 1500 Thai Baht]
Phone : 042-841 306

Phu Rua district

Nanthaka Resort
Phu Rua-Dan Sai Road, Baan Pa Chan Tom. [8 houses: 400 Thai Baht]
Phone : 042-812 885

Phim Phorn Resort
99 Moo 2 Tambon Nong Bua. [8 houses: 1000 - 1500 Thai Baht]
Phone : 042-899 152

Phu Rua Resort
163 Moo 4 Tambon Nong Bua. [9 houses - 14 rooms: 550 - 2000 Thai Baht]
Phone : 042-899 048, 811 182

Phu Rua Chalet
110 Tambon Nong Bua. [9 houses - 24 rooms: 500 - 1200 Thai Baht]
Phone : 042-899 012

Phu Rua Royal Musc
47 Baan Non Som Boon, Loei-Lomsak Road, Tambon San Pom . [30 rooms: 1500 Thai Baht]
Phone : 042-891 396, 891 397; Bangkok phone : 02-513 7578, 513 7579

Manee Nopharat Garden Hill
Tambon Nong Bua. [24 houses: 800 - 1500 Thai Baht]
Phone : 042-899 056, 899 255, 899 256

Rai Phak Dee Mit
109 Moo 4 Ban Nong Bua. [9 rooms: 800 - 1800 Thai Baht]
Phone : 042-899 118

Rai Waranya
The entrance of Phu Rua national park. [6 houses: 400 - 2000 Thai Baht]
Phone : 042-899 020

Phu Rua National Park
[30 rooms: 500 - 1200 Thai Baht]. Bangkok office phone : 02-579 7223

Dan Sai district

Rang Yen Resort
Ban Na Kham Pom, Tambon Rong Chik. [48 rooms: 675 - 900 Thai Baht]
Phone : 042-891 089, 891 389

Na Haew district

Nak Rob Resort
Behind Na Haew Division Office. [9 houses: 50 - 300 Thai Baht]
Phone : 042-897 096

dirtydog

You sometimes forget how cheap it can be to stay in Thailand, that one just reminded me

Propagator

Well I was going to do a little bit about Loei town but after searching for a
couple of hours can't find the photos . Anyway as the name of the town implies it is the capital of the Province. I go there quite often, mainly for the market, but as they have just opened a Tesco lotus there, will use it more, as its a long journey to Khon Kaen to go to the Big C.

As said above I usually use the Kings Hotel there especially if I've had a few drinks!!

Couple of pictures of Junior Suite at Kings Hotel





I usually eat at a place called KC steakhouse. It is reasonably priced, service is OK, and sitting beside the moat area in the early evening, people watching is very relaxing. Only photo I can find was taken at night so this is not all that good. If I find the others will post them later.



Tomorrow or Friday we move on to Chiang Khan. .