Top Things to do in Dan Sai
What to do and see in Dan Sai, Thailand: The Best Places and Tips
Discover the best top things to do in Dan Sai, Thailand including Wat Neramit Wipattasana, Prathat Si Song Rak, Phi Ta Khon Dan Sai Museum, Phu Lom Lo, Phra That Si Song Rak, Phi Ta Khon Festival.
Restaurants in Dan Sai
1. Wat Neramit Wipattasana
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By Peter586 - Tulsa, Oklahoma
This is one of the top three temples in Dan Sai and a must see if you are in the area. Amazing place, breath taking literally.... Worth the drive from Loei.
2. Prathat Si Song Rak
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 28 reviews
Reviewed By Muralto60 - Cambridge, Massachusetts
This small historic Buddhist site is well worth a visit, starting with the very impressive white staircase leading up the the site. Here one finds primarily locals and only few western visitors. The very impressive local plants (such as massive palm trees) are an additional feature worth looking for.
3. Phi Ta Khon Dan Sai Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By David B - Rayong, Thailand
Phi Ta Khon, or the Ghost Festival, is an annual event in Dan Sai, a small village in Loei Province in the north of Thailand. It is held between March and July on dates chosen to be the most propitious.
The origins of this unique festival are lost in time but it is attracting increasing numbers of Thai and overseas visitors each year, so if you want to go make sure you book a hotel early because the village is packed.
Phi Ta Khon is part of the larger three day festival called Bun Luang, which is a Buddhist merit making festival.
It starts with villagers evoking the spirit of the local River Mun to bring them good fortune in the coming year.
This is followed by a big street procession of people dressed in traditional ghost masks and costumes, and some who try their hand at more creative masks. Many of the ghosts carry large red-painted wooden phalluses, with which they mockingly threaten the young girls in the crowd, much to the delight of the older women and men.
All in all it is a wonderful folk festival and it would be a shame for you to miss it if you are in Thailand at the time. You can check out the dates of Phi Ta Khon by Googling it each year. This year (2015) the festival is from 26-28 June.
As an aside, the masks are traditionally made to a set pattern, using a palm tree frond as the face and a wicker basket rice steamer as the hat, then painted. They have become collectors items but the locals are awake to their value, and a good one will not cost you at least Baht 3,000.
4. Phu Lom Lo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By Pang S - Bangkok, Thailand
Welcome a new year with one of the must-see attractions during this winter, Phu Lom Lo in Loei, Thailand. This simple, peaceful yet appealing and romantic sight is best known for its Wild Himalayan Cherry blossoms or Sakura of Thailand which bloom only during January to February each year. When the time comes, all of those little charming blossoms harmoniously bloom at once just like a huge pinkish carpet wrapping over the whole valley. It is also a part of Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park on the joint of three favored provinces; Loei, Petchabun, and Phitsanulok. Located not too far from Bangkok, the capital city, Phu Lom Lo is, therefore,considered the best choice for both local people and international tourists who want to experience seasonal mind-blowing scenery while making their limited time and budget worth. Are you considering a place to go on this holiday? Try this unique and unspoiled hilly attraction and you will never regret spending your winter break up here.
5. Phra That Si Song Rak
Overall Ratings
4 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By Peter586 - Tulsa, Oklahoma
another one of the must see temples when in Dan Sai, Loei province. off the beaten path but if you have a car or a local friend, definitely check it out....
6. Phi Ta Khon Festival
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Thailand is a country filled with her own ghosts and demons unique to this country. One of the most famous festival involving spirit-beings, is the Phi-Ta-Khon festival held in Loei province. Originally thought to celebrate the return of Prince Vessandorn, Lord Buddha-to-be, to the village after leaving for a long journey, the villagers were celebrating with so much joy and made such loud noises that it woke the spirits from the dead to join in. The most well-known sight of this festival would be the parade where villagers walk in procession in colorful clothes, and a ghost-mask made from the wicker-steamer used to cook stick-rice, the staple diet of Northeastern Thailand. This festival is one that shows off the painting skills of Thai artists as well.
Reviewed By Vince M - Udon Thani, Thailand
This festival is worth seeing but it falls a bit short of expectations. The outfits and masks are wonderful and we really enjoyed seeing the parade around the Wat, quite lovely. However, be warned, there lots and lots of drunk people around and as the day progressed the feeling got more and more intimidating and this feeling got even worse when the police started confiscating glasses and bottles because a huge drunken brawl the night before. Definitely worth seeing but get there early and leave mid afternoon.
