Old town in Loei promoted to international tourists
THE THAI Ecotourism and Adventure Travel Association and the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration are promoting Chiang Khan as a new international tourist destination.
Duangkamol Chansuriyawong, president of TEATA, said yesterday that Chiang Khan – an old village on the bank of the Mekong River in Loei province – had high potential to become an international destination, especially for ecotourists.
The 300-year-old riverfront town has been popular among local tourists for years but was not that well known among foreigners.
“TEATA and DASTA have been promoting and developing unique destinations for years and now are promoting Chiang Khan,as a unique wooden community,” she said.
Taweebpong Wichaidit, deputy director-general of DASTA, said Loei was one of the provinces it selected to promote as special areas for long-term development.
Last year, 629,700 visitors, mostly locals, visited the town and generated income of Bt994 million.
“Since it’s a village, Chiang Khan can be promoted as a year-around destination,” he said.
Deputy Prime Minister Thanasak Patimaprakorn is scheduled to visit Chiang Khan on July 6 to map out tourism development for the province as well as to seek cross-border tourism cooperation from Laos.
Earlier, top tourism officials from Vientiane and Loei discussed cross-border tourism as part of cooperation under the Asean Economic Community.
To improve connectivity, the government is renovating Loei Airport, expanding major roads and opening border bus routes.
Duangkamol said more hotels, resorts and guesthouses had opened in the areas. A capsule hotel recently started to serve budget travellers.
Some other attractions and unique culture events in the province are the Phee Ta Khon festival in Dan Sai district and several national parks including Phu Kradueng and Phu Ruea.
In Chiang Khan district, there are also Ban Na Sao village, which is the base of the Phee Khon Nam festival, and Phu Thok conservation park, she said.
