Dan Sai Diaries: Ghosts, Temples & Thai Cool You Didn’t Know You Needed
Welcome to Dan Sai, Loei’s best-kept secret. A mountain town where ghosts throw parties, monks build stone temples on hills, and papaya salad has its own local twist that’ll blow your mind.
This isn’t your typical tourist town. Dan Sai is for the curious, the culture hunters, the cloud chasers, and the ones who know that sometimes the best trips begin where the guidebooks end.
Phi Ta Khon: The Party Where Spirits Dance
Every year, Dan Sai becomes the center of attention with its Phi Ta Khon Festival—a technicolor celebration where locals don masks that are spooky, cheeky, and undeniably stylish. But this isn’t cosplay. It’s deep-rooted folklore that blends Buddhism, animism, and art into one wild street parade.
Expect music, mischief, and mysticism. People travel across the world just to witness this festival. And when you’re here, you’ll get why. It’s weird, wonderful, and so Dan Sai.
Rice Fields of Ban Pak Mun : Terraced green fields roll along the valley—peaceful, picturesque, and pure Dan Sai.
Temples That Don’t Just Impress—They Speak
Spirituality hits differently in Dan Sai. The temples here aren’t just stops—they’re soulful, scenic, and incredibly photogenic.
- Wat Phon Chai: The heartbeat of the town. Step into a temple where Lao-style Buddha images radiate quiet power. Bonus? A local museum dedicated to Phi Ta Khon lives here too.
Dan Sai Heritage House : Located inside Wat Phon Chai, this charming folk museum tells the story of Phi Ta Khon and Dan Sai's unique identity. First stop recommended.
- Phra That Si Song Rak: Built centuries ago to mark peace between Thai and Lao kingdoms. Simple. Pure. Meaningful. It’s the kind of place that makes you slow down.
Phra That Si Song Rak : A sacred 16th-century stupa symbolizing unity between Thai and Lao people. The photo shows a local offering ceremony featuring “ton phueng” (wax trees).
- Wat Neramit Vipassana: Carved out of reddish laterite stone and perched above the town. Walking through this temple feels like stepping into a movie—silent courtyards, epic views, and that mountain air.
Wat Neramit Vipassana at Night : The laterite-stone temple glows in color during the vibrant Phi Ta Khon Festival.
Lao-Style Buddha Image : This serene Buddha sits at the heart of Wat Phon Chai—reflecting the region’s deep Lao influence.
Nature’s on Another Level
Forget tourist traps. Dan Sai serves nature in its raw, unfiltered form.
- Phu Lom Lo: Think Thailand can’t do cherry blossoms? Think again. Every cool season, the hills of Phu Lom Lo explode in pink. It’s literally a sakura dream—no trip to Japan required.
Sakura Season at Phu Lom Lo : Every winter, wild Himalayan cherry trees bloom in pink perfection at this mountain ridge on the Loei-Phitsanulok border.
- Ban Kok Sathon: A sleepy farming village with surprises. Grapes? Check. Passionfruit? Check. Ginger? Oh yes. In fact, this is one of the biggest ginger-growing areas in the country. Who knew?
Phu Phra, Ban Kok Sathon : Another local peak with epic views—reach it via a fun local tractor ride (E-Tak) from the village below.
Passionfruit Products from Ban Kok Sathon : Fresh, tangy, and made by locals. A tasty souvenir from the hills of Dan Sai.
Grape Farm, Ban Kok Sathon : Cool-climate grapes grown in mountain air—sweet proof that Dan Sai has more than mist and temples.
Local Passionfruit, Ban Kok Sathon : Sun-kissed and tart—these fruits are grown organically in the village.
Mulberries from the Mountain : Homegrown mulberries (or “Thai super berries”) ready for fresh-eating or turning into jam and juice.
Mountain Ginger, Ban Kok Sathon : One of Thailand’s largest ginger-growing areas. Sharp, fragrant, and an essential part of the local economy.
- Phu E-Lert & Kaeng Chang Waterfall: One for the adventurers. Hike up Phu E-Lert for epic misty sunrises, sleep under the stars, and then chase waterfalls at Kaeng Chang—where water flows all year and the Thai-Lao border melts into the background.
Phu E-Lert at Sunrise : Golden hour magic above the clouds. One night in a tent here = 3 views: stars, mist, and sunset.
Kaeng Chang Waterfall : A year-round waterfall flowing along the Thai-Lao border. Just a 300-meter walk from the car park = easy win.
Misty Mornings at Phu E-Lert : Located in Ban Pak Mun, this mountain stays cool year-round. During rainy season, it’s wrapped in cloud and calm.
Red Antler Mushrooms (Hed Kor Daeng) : Phu E-Lert’s rainy season specialty. Locals love them in spicy jungle-style soups with basil—umami bombs from the forest.
The Som Tam You’ll Dream About
You’ve had som tam. But you haven’t had Som Tam Bai Sathon.
This regional twist uses a local herb that’s native to Dan Sai. It’s tangy, earthy, and completely unforgettable. And guess what? It’s only made here. If Dan Sai had a signature flavor, this would be it.
Som Tam Bai Sathon : A must-try dish found only in Dan Sai. Papaya salad with a local herbal twist—no fermented fish, just bold and zesty.
Where to Sleep: Chill Meets Charm
Dan Sai may be small, but its stays are stylish. Choose from cozy bungalows, artistic guesthouses, or eco-lodges nestled in nature. Prices range from budget-friendly to boutique—and the vibe is always warm, local, and just the right amount of laid-back.
Phu Na Kham Stay : Nature-inspired simplicity—this wooden homestay blends Isaan country charm with peaceful forest vibes.
Why Dan Sai?
Because it’s real. It’s soulful. It’s the kind of place that surprises you with how much it offers, and how fast it steals your heart.
It’s where you come to breathe. To feel. To taste something new.
To see ghosts dance. And maybe—just maybe—rediscover a little magic.
Dan Sai: Come for the festival. Stay for the feels. Leave with a story.
Editor in Chief : Nampetch Siramanon
Editor: Pacific Leisure (Thailand)
Content Creator : Mr. Saroj Na Ayutthaya