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Loei Province
Loei (Thai: เลย ), located in Isaan, is one of the most sparsely populated provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighbouring provinces are (from east clockwise) Nong Khai, Udon Thani, Nongbua Lamphu, Khon Kaen, Phetchabun, Phitsanulok. In the north it borders two province of Laos.
Loei, the provincial capital, lies in a fertile plain through which runs the Loei River, a tributary of the Mekong while much of the remaining province is mountainous. The forest ranges support some iconic national parks rich in diversity of flora: Phu Kradung, Phu Ruea and Phu Luang are the best known while Phu Hin Rong Kla, Phu Pha Man, and Phu Suan Sai also feature, the latter situated in remote Na Haeo District bordering Laos at the southern end of the Luang Prabang Range.
Loei was reportedly settled by people from Chiang Saen of the Lanna Kingdom but its more recent association with Lanchang (Laos) is evident through the modesty of its architecture and it's though it's dialect. Some ancient customs still exist e.g. the Spirit Festival of Dan Sai. Loei achieved provincial status in 1907.
The province is divided up into fourteen districts (ampoe). It ranks 14th in land area but only 40th in population. A number of cash crops help sustain Loei province including coffee and rubber but agro tourism is a major contributor as evidenced at the Poinsettia Festival at Phu Ruea.
Leoi is accessed by route 201 running from Khon Kaen in the south-east while the 203 heads south from Dan Sai to Lom Sak (Petchbun Province) and these days there is access to Laos at Tha Li. South of Loei town there is the domestic airport.
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