Within the Park is the Phimai Sanctuary, one of the grandest and most important Khmer historical sites in Thailand. From stone inscriptions and the architectural style, the Phimai Sanctuary was most likely built at the end of the 11th century during the reign of King Suriyaworaman I. The architectural style is that of the Baphuon style that prospered at the time....read more
The park is comprised of mixed forests and rainforests with some wide plains and grasslands interspersed with verdant forests. There are many valuable plants, including commercial plants, scented plants and herbs. In addition, there are several mountains with peaks ranging from 800 to 3,000 meters above sea level making Khao Yai a cool climate area, even in summer....read more
Farm Chokchai is a fully integrated dairy farm perched on a vast stretch of plains amidst a scenic surrounding. An agro-tourism farm where visitors can learn about milking, making of fresh milk ice cream, animal feed plant, and several other activities. Superb tourist facilities provided....read more
This ancient Khmer sanctuary and Hindu religious place constructed of white sandstone originally had 3 buildings of which only 2 remain today. The site is surrounded by a horseshoe-shaped moat and has an entrance to the east. A lintel dated from around the 11th century influenced by the Baphuon culture of ancient Khmer was found here. This lintel is currently housed in the Phimai National Museum....read more
This is one of the most famous temples in the province as it is the residence of the revered monk Luang Pho Khun Parisuttho. Many worshippers from all over the country come pay their respect daily. ...read more
City Pillar is at the corner of Chom Phon and Prachak roads. This Chinese-style shrine houses the city pillar that is worshipped by Thais and Chinese. Built in the reign of King Narai the Great during 1656-1688, the shrine and city pillar are made of wood. ...read more
Thao Suranari Monument is a memorial to the Thai heroine called ‘Ya Mo’ by locals. Built in 1934, it is located in the city centre. People from other provinces who visit Khorat and locals usually come to pay homage here and ask for blessings. The statue is made of black copper. It is 1.85 metres high and is dressed in regalia in a standing posture. ...read more
The Sema city plan is egg-shaped and is 3 kilometres wide and 4 kilometres long. You can still see evidence of city moats and some earth walls. The city flourished during the Dvaravati period and was built around the 12th Buddhist century. It grew until the 16th-17th Buddhist centuries when it came under Khmer influence. ...read more
This is a large beach by the lake, under the office of the 5th Thap Lan National Park Management Area (Lam Plai Mat) that is responsible for jungles in the park in Soeng Sang, Khon Buri and Wang Nam Khiao Districts. ...read more
This garden has over 300 kinds of tropical and temperate flowering, decorative, fruit bearing as well as perennial plants. After touring the garden visitors can try the house specialty, ostrich steaks, at the restaurant overlooking the reservoir of Lam Ta Khong Dam. Basic tourist facilities provided. Please contact the management in advance....read more
Nakhon Ratchasima, generally known as "Khorat", is Thailand’s largest province situated on sprawling northeast plateau. Located approximately 260 kilometers northeast of Bangkok, the city itself serves as the gateway to the lower I-San region.
Covering an area of 25,494 square kilometers that is mainly plateaus and mountainous terrain, Khorat has fascinating traditions, charming hospitality, splendid natural scenery and awesome historical sites.
Some of the main attractions in Khorat are Khmer ruins. Scattered around the province, these products of ancient wisdom shines through time. One of Thailand’s finest Khmer ruins can be seen here next to Mon and Lao sites. In addition, Khorat has an abundance of natural attractions in its forests, hills, wildlife and waterfalls that are easily accessible in locations such as Khao Yai National Park.
Apart from the famous statue of Khun Ying Mo, Khorat is most well known for silk weaving (in Pak Thong Chai) and a variety of top-notch quality handicrafts such as clay pottery products of Dan Kwian.
Geographically, Nakhon Ratchasima borders on Chiyaphum and Khon Kaen Provinces in the north, Buriram Province in the east, Chiyaphum and Saraburi Provinces in the west and Nakhon Nayok and Prachin Buri Provinces in the south.
Khorat is also I-San’s largest province. Inhabitants of the province are mainly engaged in agricultural activities that include farming of rice and other crops such as sugar cane, tapioca, corn, jute, peanuts, sesame and fruits. There are more than 100 savings and agricultural cooperatives in the province, 35 irrigation projects and 7,122 industrial factories. Most of the factories are rice mills, tapioca product manufacturers, and industrial factories.
Khorat's most popular annual event is the Thao Suranari Festival, a celebration of Thao Suranari's victory over the Lao. It's held from late March to early April and features parades.
Looking back
Khorat used to be the site of several ancient prehistoric communities. Little is known about the early history of Khorat, except that it used to be part of a kingdom called Sri Janas (Si Janat) – an empire that extended its power to the entire Khorat Plateau.
Initially the predominant cultural influence in the city was that of the Dvaravati culture, however, it was later replaced by the Khmer culture. The prehistoric site of Ban Prasat is evidence of this occurrence while traces of both the Dvaravati and Khmer cultures are scattered throughout the province, particularly at Amphoe Sung Noen and Amphoe Phimai.
Once an administrative and cultural center, Khorat’s role today remains unchanged as it is currently the main transportation, industrial and economic hub of the Northeast.
Destination
comming soon
Cluture & festival
Phimai Boat Races
Phimai Boat Races is held yearly by the people of Amphoe Phimai on the second weekend of November. Apart from the races of boats in Phimai and nearby districts, this interesting event has boat decorations for royal ceremonies and boat chants.
Phimai Festival
Phimai Festival is organised to promote tourism activities in the province’s main tourist destination of Phimai Historical Park that is held in conjunction with Phimai Boat Races. Activities include long boat racing, cultural performances, religious processions, and a light-and-sound show.
Thao Suranari Memorial Fair
Thao Suranari Memorial Fair is an annual provincial event that is held during 23 March-3 April, the period Khunying Mo was victorious over her enemy. The fair features arts and culture, shops and exhibitions of public and private offices.
How to go there
By Car
Route 1: Take Highway No. 1 (Phahon Yothin) from Bangkok to Saraburi and then take Highway No. 2 (Mitraparp Highway) from Saraburi to Nakhon Ratchasima. The total distance is 259 kilometers.
Route 2: Take Highway No. 304 from Bangkok and proceed past Min Buri, Chachoengsao, Phanom Sarakham, Kabin Buri, Pak Thong Chai, to Nakhon Ratchasima. The total distance is 273 kilometers.
Route 3: Take the Bangkok-Rangsit-Nakhon Nayok route then take Highway No. 33 to Kabin Buri and Highway No. 304 past Wang Nam Khiao, Pak Thong Chai to Nakhon Ratchasima.
By Air
Thai Airways International (THAI) flies to Khorat from Bangkok twice a day. For more information, contact their Bangkok office at tel. 0 2280 0060, 0 2628 2000 or visit www.thaiairways.com. The THAI office (Tel: 044-257211/5) is at 14 Manat Rd., off of Mahat Thai Rd. inside the city moat.
Air Andaman provides two daily flight services from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima. For more information, contact their Bangkok office at tel. 0 2996 9119 or visit www.airandaman.com.
By Bus
Ordinary buses leave the Northern Bus Terminal (Mochit 2 Bus Terminal) in Bangkok every 15 or 20 minutes from 5 a.m. to 10.15 p.m. Air-conditioned buses leaving for Bangkok arrive and depart from the Korat’s air-conditioned bus terminal on Mitraparp Highway.
The Transport Co., Ltd. (known as Bo Kho So) has both air-conditioned and non air-conditioned buses departing from the Bangkok’s Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal) daily. Air-conditioned buses depart from Bangkok every 10 minutes all day, traveling time is 3.20 hours and the fare is 157 bahts. Non air-conditioned buses depart from Bangkok every hour from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., traveling time is 4.30 hours and the fare is 87 bahts. For information, call 0 2936 2852-66 or get more updated information at www.traco.motc.go.th.
Private companies that offer bus services are Ratchasima Tour Co., tel. 0 4424 5443, Bangkok tel. 0 2936 1615 and Air Khorat Co., tel. 0 4425 2999, Bangkok tel. 0 2936 2252.
Buses running to other provinces leave from Bus Terminal 2 in Khorat. There are services to the northeastern provinces of Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon, Kalasin, Ubon Ratchathani, Buri Ram (the old route goes past Nang Rong and the new one past Huai Thalaeng), and Surin (past Nang Rong-Ban Tako). In addition, there are buses to Bangkok, Chon Buri, Pattaya, Rayong, Chanthaburi, Lop Buri, Sing Buri, Nakhon Sawan, Chiang Mai, and Chiang Rai (up to Mae Sai). All depart from the Bus Terminal 2 in Khorat.
Getting around Korat
Traveling within the province is easy, with many mini-bus and bus routes operating in the city and nearby areas. The fare on each route is 3 bahts. Comfortable air-conditioned bus services are also provided for route No. 2 at the rate of 5 bahts.
A more convenient way to get around is to take the Tuk-Tuk or Samlor in the city. Samlors around the city costs 20 bahts; while tuk-tuks cost 40 bahts to most places around town (30 bahts for a short hop) and 50 to 60 bahts for longer trips. The rate for motorbike taxis is within the same range. Please note that the price must be agreed upon before a trip.
If traveling to another district, it is possible to take either a bus or mini-bus at Bus Terminal 1 on Burin Road. At Bus Terminal 2, only provides bus services to Amphoe Phimai and Dan Kwian-Chok Chai.
For information, call Bus Terminal 1 on Burin Road, tel. 0 4424 2899 and 0 4426 8899 and Bus Terminal 2 on the Mitraparp-Khon Kaen Road, tel. 0 4425 6006-9 ext. 175, 176 (air-conditioned), 178 (regular).
By Train
An express train bound for Ubon Ratchathani departs Bangkok's Hualamphong Station at 9 p.m. and arrives in Khorat at 2.03 a.m.
Rapid trains on the Ubon railway depart at 6.50 a.m., 6.45 p.m. and 10.45 p.m., arriving in Khorat at 11.48 a.m. and 11.51 p.m. and 4.07 a.m. respectively. especially the morning arrival, which leaves plenty of daylight time to explore the city.
There are also two ordinary trains (3rd class only) that depart Bangkok at 3.25 and 11.25 p.m., arriving in Khorat about 5 1/2 to 6 hours after departure.
The 1st class fare (express train only) is 230 bahts, while the 2nd class and 3rd class fares are 115 bahts and 50 bahts respectively. An additional fee of 40 bahts is charged for rapid trains, 60 bahts for the express and 80 bahts for the special express train. The train passes through some great scenery on the Khorat Plateau, including a view of the enormous white Buddha figure at Wat Theppitak on a thickly forested hillside. Visit www.railway.co.th or call 1690 for more up-to-date schedules and fares.
