Loei: Remote countryside and admirable mountain scenery
Saturday, 20 – Monday, 22 November 2010
Leader: Khun Ekkarin Latthasaksiri, Librarian and Study Trip Officer, The Siam Society
 |
Loei Province is about 520 kilometres from Bangkok. Geographically in the northeast, but Loei shares many characteristics with the northern region such as there are many high hills and mountains and was formerly a small and quiet place. Over 50 percents of land in the province is under the protection of the Forestry Department, which means that Loei has a lot of forest land, grassy fields, and a vast plateau with cliff and rock formations that jut over the mountains. But it is being rapidly developed, migrating people from the nearby provinces in the northeast and other parts of Thailand are here because of the relative prosperity caused by the opening up of the area, to agriculture use. The topography lends itself to dramatic changes in temperature: the mercury can hit 40 celsius in the hot season, then dropping sufficiently to allow frost in the cold season. In fact, Loei is the coldest province in Thailand. For so many years, the province’s main tourist attractions are only Phu Kradung and Phu Reua National Parks and Phu Luang Wildlife Reserve.
Actually, Loei has many other unseen natural splendors to explore by nature lovers. The Siam Society therefore is arranging this trip for members to spend a weekend in Ban Pha Ngam village in Nong Hin district, Loei Province. Members will have an opportunity to hike in open fields and farmland on the top of a plateau and walk along the forest path following the edge of the hill that rise about 1,000 metres above sea level, to enjoy the splendid views over the valley and the surrounding countryside. The most spectacular view is at the summit of the mountain. A visit to waterfalls, rock formations and a hike to admire the stunning view of Phu Hor, Phu Luang, Phu Kradung and the surrounding countryside will be arranged. The group will leave Bangkok by bus on Saturday, 20 November at 7:30 a.m. and will return to Bangkok in the late evening of Monday, 22 November by bus. Members will spend two nights at a simple resort at Ban Pha Ngam, located near the top of the plateau, at about 700 metres above sea level. This expedition is primarily a pleasure trip, to enjoy the clean air, comfortable climate and magnificent natural beauty. ACCOMMODATION AND FOODS WILL BE SIMPLE AND SUITABLE FOR THOSE WHO ENJOY HIKING IN THE COUNTRYSIDE WITH SPECTACULAR MOUNTAIN VIEWS.
The tentative programme will be as follows:
Day 1: Saturday, 20 November 2010 |
|
| 7:30 a.m. | Depart the Siam Society for Loei Province by bus. |
| Noon: | Lunch at local restaurant. |
| Late Afternoon: | Arrive at Ban Pha Ngam, Nong Hin district, Loei province and check-in at small resort at Ban Pha Ngam. |
| - | Short hike on the top of the hill along a forest trail near the resort. |
| Evening: | Dinner and overnight at the resort. |
Day 2: Sunday, 21 November 2010 |
|
| - | Breakfast at the resort. |
| All day: | Hike and walk along the forest path and field crop following the edge of the plateau to enjoy the splendid views over the valley and the surrounding countryside (picnic lunch on the mountain). |
| - | Late afternoon, at leisure at the resort. |
| Evening: | Dinner at local restaurant and overnight at the resort. |
Day 3: Monday, 22 November 2010 |
|
| - | Breakfast at the resort. |
| Morning: | Visit the waterfalls, rock garden and sites of interest in the area. |
| 11:00 a.m. | Depart Nong Hin district, Loei province for Bangkok by bus. |
| Enroute: | Lunch and dinner at local restaurant. |
| Late evening: | Arrive at the Siam Society. |
Booking
A contribution of Bt. 11,500 (Bt. 13,500 for non-members) is solicited to cover the cost of transportations, accommodation for 2 nights at the resort (two persons per room), 8 meals and other arrangements to make this trip possible. Please pay by cash or cheque (payable to ‘The Siam Society’). Alternatively you can deposit/transfer the money to the Siam Society travel account at the Thai Military Bank, Asoke Branch saving account no. 053-2-18000-7. Please fax or e-mail the deposit or transfer docket to us. There is a 4% surcharge for credit/debit card payment to cover bank charges.
The Siam Society reserves the right to change the programme as necessary. Seats are limited. Please book your place as soon as possible.
For further information and bookings please contact Khun Prasert (ext. 504) or Khun Ekkarin (ext. 506) on 0 2661 6470-7, fax 0 2258 3491 or e-mail: ekkarin@siam-society.org. Office hours: 9:00am.–5:00pm. Tuesday–Saturday (except holidays).