Chiang Khan - Sri Chiang Mai

It's been a long while since the last time we visited Loei Province. Today, let's check out the upper part of Loei where the Mekong River serves as a natural borderline between Thailand and Laos.

From Loei town, take Highway 201 up north towards Chiang Khan. Near Ban Na Bon School, less than five kilometres and a half before Chiang Khan, you'll see Rural Highway 3011 on the right-hand side.

Shift onto that minor road and follow it for 11 kilometres or so until you reach Ban Na Pa Nat. If you can't find the Thai Song Dam cultural centre, which is today's Point A, pull over and ask the locals. After learning about the ethnic people who settled down at the village, get back to Highway 201 and continue to Chiang Khan.

From Chiang Khan, drive eastwards on Highway 211 which runs alongside the Mekong River. The smaller road to Kaeng Khud Khoo is a few kilometres up the highway.

Twenty three kilometres from Kaeng Khud Khoo there's a viewpoint where you can safely park your car and have a good look at this beautiful section of the Mekong. From there, Pak Chom, Loei's northernmost town, is just 14-15 kilometres ahead. But this part of the road is pretty curvy and you should drive at a safe speed.

The minor road to Than Thip Waterfall (E1 in the map) is 48.5 kilometres from Pak Chom. Thirteen kilometres from there, you'll find the town of Sangkhom, from where Than Thong Waterfall (E2) is only 12 kilometres up the 211.

Wat Hin Mak Peng, Sri Chiang Mai's most well-known temple, is eight kilometres and a half from Than Thong Waterfall.

By the way, Sangkhom and Sri Chiang Mai districts belong to Nong Khai Province.
Bangkok Post January 06 www.bangkokpost.com