Resting in a plateau with an area of 75,525 square kilometers, Phu Ruea National Park comprises a rugged mountain range with its highest peak (and source for a number of Loei’s rivers) rising 1,365 meters above sea level. The cool weather is complemented by lush pine forest that covers a good proportion of the peak. Buses leave Loei for Phu Rua at regular intervals on a daily basis. There are numerous trials that take you past waterfalls, rock gardens, and caves, as well as a number of ‘observation points’ that make great places to stop, rest and have picnics (catered for by food stalls along the way). Details: March to June are the hottest months and suitable precautions need to be taken if you intend to go to the park at this time; likewise between December and January when temperatures of 0°C are often recorded. The park is, of course, home to countless wildlife species including deer, bears, monkeys, squirrels, rabbits, turtles, and a large number of birds. The unusually temperate climate means orchids grow in the area throughout the year. As a National Park there is a 200 Baht entrance fee for an adult. How to get there: The park is around 60 kilometers from Loei. The park is closed during the rainy months because it becomes dangerous for visitors. The view from the top of Phu Ruea is quite dazzling and stretches as far as the Heuang and Khong Rivers.

• Koh Nang Yuan
• Pha Nok Aen
• Get Off The Beaten Track
• Phen Phop Waterfall
• Tham So Tai Waterfall
• Eat Like a Local
• Visit a World Heritage UNESCO Site
• Similan Islands

Bangkok’s most famous temple fair surrounds the Golden Mount at Wat Saket for ten days around Loi Krathong. Making your own krathong personalises the festival and emphasises the sense of letting go the negative, with thanks for nature’s sustainable bounty. Visitors can easily get swept up in the merriment. Light the candle and incense, make a wish, set your krathong on the water, and nudge it downstream with a gentle punt. Buy a few sun-softened banana leaves (bai tong) to tear into rectangular sheets. Fresh markets sell all the materials. Countrywide, Loi Krathong fairs feature traditional pastimes and performances, outdoor movies, stalls of goods and speciality foods, not to mention Nang Noppamas beauty contests. For the most authentic experience, anyone can make their own krathong . Another fair enlivens Wat Liam by Memorial Bridge. Seeing your krathong or khome loi disappearing into the distance feels like a wistful act of closure, creativity and renewal. Pick a cake-sized slice of banana stem (yuak kluay) as the base. At this time of renewal, many Buddhists at temple fairs receive blessings on their forehead in the form of daubed paste or gold leaf. Those willing to brave the waterside crowds can buy a krathong of their choice from stalls for between 50 and several hundred baht, depending on how elaborate the design. Vendors in the north and many beach resorts also sell khome loi lanterns. Most hotels stage Loi Krathong parties at their poolside. With a template or help from a Thai friend, fold these into flame-like twists (jeeb krathong) and pin them round the rim with slivers of bamboo. In the middle, arrange flowers like lotus bud (dok bua), rose (dok kularb), marigold (dok dao ruang) or globe amaranth (dok baan mai rue roi), a never-wilting symbol of eternity.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to provide the latest update on the opening/closing status of national parks in Thailand, covering both the annual seasonal closure for the rainy months and temporary closure resulting from the COVID-19 measures. Erawan National Park – All tourist sites and accommodation open. Overnight stay, camping, and water activities closed. Sai Yok National Park – All tourist sites and accommodation open. Thong Pha Phum National Park – Open only to visitors from the local area (Pilok in Thong Pha Phum District) for the Khao Chang Phueak hiking trail, Chokkradin Waterfall, overnight stay, and camping. Chaloem Rattanakosin National Park – All tourist sites and accommodation open. As of 6 October, 2021, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has reopened 96 of its 155 national parks nationwide. While the reopening is helping minimize the impact of the COVID-19 restrictions for local businesses and communities, this is being done with strict public health and safety measures in place for the protection of everyone. Overnight stay. Camping closed.

Pa La-U Waterfall is temporarily closed due to COVID-19 from 12 May onwards.

Kaeng Krachan National Park – Only the Ban Krang tourist site with overnight stay and camping is open. Khao Khitchakut National Park – Khlong Phaibun Waterfall will be open 18 October. Overnight stay. Camping closed. Pa La-U Waterfall is temporarily closed due to COVID-19 from 12 May onwards. Khao Sip Ha Chan National Park – All tourist sites and accommodation open. Overnight stay, camping, and water activities closed. Ao Siam National Park – All tourist sites and accommodation open. Namtok Phlio National Park – Phlio, Nang Rong, Khong Na Rai, and Ma Kok Waterfalls, National Park at Sai Yok – resort.thaibounty.com – as well as camping and water activities are closed until 7 October. Khao Laem Ya-Mu Ko Samet National Park – Ko Samet and Mae Ramphueng Beach open. Phanoen Thung are closed for the monsoon season until 31 October. Overnight stay, camping, and water activities remain closed. Chaloem Phrakiat Thai Prachan National Park – All tourist sites and accommodation open. The tourist villages of Pong Luek-Bang Kloi.