Dan Sai
As the capital of the Dan Sai district, this small town is located in the province of Loei in the northeastern region of the country. It currently has 8,500 inhabitants, mostly consisting of Thai and Laotian populations. Watered by the Mun River, the small town is known for its fertility, and it's no wonder that agriculture is the main activity of its people. This village, still relatively untouched by tourists, will surprise you with its tranquility and the beauty of its landscape.
History
During the reign of the King of Ayutthaya between 1650 and 1767, Dan Sai was renowned. It was the commercial street that connected the Chao Phraya River, the northeast of the Kingdom of Lana, and the Laos border.
At that time, the Thai King forged friendship with the King of Laos, and together, they built Wat Phra That Sri Song Rak to unite their people. This symbol of peace adorns the Man River in the village of Ban Na Wiang.
Dan Sai today
The small town has remained authentically Thai and is still rural. It is famous for its annual Phi Ta Kon festival, which means "the ghost festival." During these festivities, the locals wear colorful costumes, exceptional masks, and consume a lot of rice alcohol. This festival often takes place in June or July (according to the lunar calendar), so don't miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture.
Visiting Dan Sai
During your journey in northeastern Thailand, don't hesitate to make a stop in Dan Sai. Its landscape soothes nature lovers, and the village has some interesting monuments and green spaces:
Wat Neramit Wipatsana
This temple overlooks the town on the main road 2013 towards Lom Sak. It bears similarities to some grand temples in Bangkok, but the wax statue of the Founding Monk, Luang Pho Phra Maha Phan Sila Wisuttho, makes all the difference.
Phra That Si Song Rak
The temple commemorates the alliance between King Say Setthathirath of Lan Xang (Laos) and King Maha Chakkraphat of Ayutthaya (Thailand) against their common enemies, the Burmese.
Wat Chai Phon
The first day of the Phi Tha Khong festival is celebrated in this Buddhist temple every year. Devotees offer their prayers to the protector, Phra Uppakhut, to safeguard the people.
Phi Ta Kon Museum
Dedicated to the mask festival, the museum is located within the grounds of Wat Chai Phon. You will find answers to all your questions about the festival. The visit will teach you about mask and costume making.
Phu Hin Rong National Park
This green space offers exceptional landscapes to visitors: stretches of tropical forests, a field of flat and polished rocks called Lan Hin Pum, waterfalls, wooden walkways, viewpoints of the surrounding mountains, etc. It is also the ideal place to discover Sakura flowers, especially in Phu Lom Lo.
Climate
Benefiting from a tropical climate, Dan Sai experiences a very hot and rainy summer, contrary to a usually dry but fairly warm winter. Therefore, the annual temperature ranges from 14°C to 31°C.
The rainy season peaks from March to May, while the cold is strongly felt in December. Referring to the climate of Dan Sai, the best time to visit the city is between November and early March to avoid rain.
How to get to Dan Sai?
There are several means of transportation to reach the ancient city of Dan Sai. You can take:
- Plane: Regular flights from Bangkok land daily in Loei, the province of Dan Sai. Then, you can take a bus to reach the town.
- Bus: Buses serve many destinations in Thailand, and Dan Sai is no exception. You can take the bus from nearby cities, such as Loei. However, several lines connect Bangkok and Dan Sai every day.
- Car: The city is easily accessible by car. If you are departing from Bangkok, take Route No. 1 to Saraburi to take Route No. 2. When you reach Lom Sak, continue on Route 203, which will lead you to Dan Sai.
How to get around the city?
The town is quite small, and you can explore it on foot or by bicycle to discover its sublime landscapes. However, it is also possible to rent a car in the area.
