Dan Sai is a district (amphoe) in the western part of Loei province, northeastern Thailand.

Geography

Neighboring districts are (from the east clockwise): Phu Ruea of Loei Province; Lom Kao and Khao Kho of Phetchabun province; Nakhon Thai of Phitsanulok province; and Na Haeo of Loei. To the north is Xaignabouli province of Laos. The source of the Pa Sak River is in the mountains in the eastern part of the district. A large part of the district is a portion of the Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park. Phu Thap Buek, the highest mountain of the Phetchabun Range, is at the southern end of the district. To the southeast is the Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary. The northern part of the district reaches the southern end of the Luang Prabang Range mountain area of the Thai highlands.

History

According to General Apirat Kongsompong, on 5 November 1976, King Rama X, then an army captain and crown prince, engaged with communist insurgents in Ban Mak Kheng of Dan Sai District. The general noted that, "His Majesty was in the operation base, ate and slept like other soldiers. His Majesty visited local residents, gave moral support and fought shoulder by shoulder with brave soldiers."

Administration

Central administration

Dan Sai is divided into 10 sub-districts (tambons), which are further subdivided into 99 administrative villages (mubans).

Local administration

There are two sub-district municipalities (thesaban tambons) in the district: There are nine sub-district administrative organizations (SAO) in the district:

Local festivals

Dan Sai is the place where Phi Ta Khon traditions are known around the world. The Thai spirit masked festival is held annually after the full moon of the sixth Thai lunar month (around late June to early July).