NAKHON RATCHASIMA

Nakhon Ratchasima is also called Khorat and is considered the gateway to the Northest. The largest province in the northest, Nakhon Ratchsima is blessed with amzing natural scenery like high mountains and awesome historical sites for people to study.

Nakhon Ratchasima is 259 kilometres from Bangkok. It has an area of 20,548 square kilometres and is divided into the following districts: Muang, Pak Chong, Si Khiu, Sung Noen, Kham Thale So, Dan Khun Thot, Non Thai, Non Sung, Kham Sakae Saeng, Phimai, Khong, Non Daeng, Prathai, Chum Phuang, Bua Yai, Kaeng Sanam Nang, Ban Luam, Chakkarat, Huai Thalaeng, Pak Thong Chai, Chok Chai, Khon Buri, Soeng Sang, Nong Bun Bak, Wang Nam Khiao and Chaleom Phra Kiat.

Thao Suranari Monument was built by the Khorat people to honour the heroine of the province. It is situated in front of Chumphon Gate, an old city gate to the west of the city. Thao Suranari was originally named Khunying Mo. She was the wife of the city's assistant governor. Her heroics came during the reign of King Rama III in 1826 when she led villagers to battle against Chao Anuwong from Vientiane to repel his army from attacking Bangkok and won. A festival to honor her is held during March 23 to April 3 annually.

Chumphon Gate was built during king Narai the Great's reign. The city at that time had a rectangular plan surrounded by a moat and a city wall. The gate is one of four that still remains. The other three were Phon Saen to the north, Phon Lan to the east and Chai Narong to the south and have all been reconstructed.

Cultural Center of Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat Institute is at Suranarai Road. The centre has a good collection of images and history of historical sites, as well as information on ancient arts, tools and currency. It is open during government office hours.

Maha Wirawong National Museum is opposite the Provincial Hall. The museum has on display artifacts found in Nakhon Rachasima and nearby provinces such as stone Buddha images from the Khmer and Ayutthaya periods, earthenware of different sizes, bronze Buddha images, ancient utensils, and woodcarving from an ancient temple. It is open during 9.00 a.m.-4.00 p.m. from Wednesday to Sunday. It is closed on Monday, Tuesday and public holidays.

Wat Sala Loi is 500 meters from Rop Muang Road. The outstanding feature here is the convocation hall built in 1967, in a modern Thai design in the shape of a junk riding the waves. the building is decorated with fired ceramics from Dan Kwian. It received the best prize in architecture from the Siam Architects Society in 1973. In the compound is also the brick ruin of the old hall, which is over a hundred years old.

Phanom Wan Sanctuary is at Ban Makha, Tambon Pho Take the Khorat-Khon Kaen road for 15 kilometres and take a right-hand for 5 kilometres. This is a Khmer sanctuary built around the 16th-17th Buddhist century. It has a large khmer pagoda with a walkway and a ledge going around it. There are doorways on 3 sides, with the northern one over a standing Buddha image in the Ayutthaya style. This sanctuary is certainly worth a visit.

Nakhon Ratchasimal Zoo is 13 kilometres from the city Take Highway No. 304 (Khorat-Pak Thong Chai) for 12 kilometres, turn left onto Highway No. 2310 and drive for 1 kilometre. The zoo has an expansive area with both caged and roaming animals. There are many species of interest, especially deer and egrets.

Khao Yai National Park is in 4 provinces, which are Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Nayok, Saraburi, and Parchin Buri. It is the first national park in Thailand and was proclaimed as such on September 18,1962.

The park is 206 kilometres from Bangkok and 115 kilometres from Nakhon Ratchasima. Take Thanarat Road from Mittraphap Road to the park headquarters for 40 kilometres. Visitors by bus from Bangkok can disembark at Pak Chong and continue to the park by minibus.

The park has an area of 2,168 square kilometres. The primary feature here is of winding mountain ranges covered by virgin and other types of forests, as well as wide grass fields. It is the source of many waterways. The most abundant animals are wild elephants, monkeys, deer, porcupines, butterflies, insects, and a variety of birds, particularly the hornbill, which is the largest bird in the park and found everywhere in August and September. The tourist service centre has a good exhibition on wild animals.

The park has over 20 waterfalls like Heo Suwat, Heo Sai, Heo Prathun, Hong Kaeo, and Heo Narok. the park has arranged several trails for nature study and has provided accommodation and tents for overnighters. Please contact park officials or the National Parks Division of the Royal Forestry Department fro more information.

Lam Takhong Dam is at Tambon Lat Bua Khao along Highway No.2 (Mittraphap). Completed in 1964, the dam serves agriculture in nearby areas. There are many food shops, a rest area with tourist information centre, overlooking the beautiful view of the reservoir.

Wat Khao Chan Ngam is at Ban Loet Sawat, 58 kilometres from the city. Take a 3-kilometre road from Mittraphap Road at Km. 198. The temple is lettered with boulders. Ancient rock paintings can be seen here, some of human and animal figures and some of dark-shaded objects. all are indicative of a community that was here 3,000-4,000 years ago.

Quarry at Km. 207 on Mittraphap Road is 50 kilometres from the city. The hill here is composed of white sandstone. There is evidence of square-shaped rocks of many sized carved out that is believed to have been used in building Khmer sanctuaries in Sung Noen 20 kilometres away.

The district has two ancient cities from which Nakhon Rachasima derives its name; Khorat and sema.

Old Khorat City is 32 kilometres from the present city. Take Highway No. 2 to Km. 221-222 and take a right-hand for 3 kilometres to Sung Noen, then take another right turn to the 3 sanctuaries of non Ku, Muang Khaek and Muang Kao.

The old city of Sema is a city from the Dvaravati period that is 37 kilometres from Nakhon Ratchasima city. From Sung Noen, proceed across Lam Takhong and past Ban Hin Tang for 4 kilometres. The site is now the location of Tambon Sema. Only a wall-like earth ridge remains. However, an important artefact stored at Wat Thammachak Semaram is the reclining red sandstone Buddha image that is the largest and oldest in Thailand. The image is 13.30 meters and 2.80 meters high. It was built around 657. There is also a Buddhism wheel sculpted from a large boulder.

This district is famous for silk weaving. Products made here are sold domestically and overseas. The district is 32 kilometres from Nakhon Ratchasima on Highway No. 304. There are shops selling a wide range of silk product s to tourists.

Wat Na Phra That is at Mu 1, Tambon Takhu. From Highway No. 304 at Pak Thong Chai, take a right turn onto Highway No. 2236 to Ban Takhu 4 kilometres away. The temple has a very old building which has wall murals from Vientiane is worth a look. A scripture hall is built in the middle of a pool. The door panes have exquisite lacquer designs.

Dan Kwian is 15 kilometres from Nakhon Ratchasima city on Highway No. 224. It is one of the most famous pottery-making centres of the Northeast. This area was once used as a stop for caravans trading between Khorat and Cambodia. Villagers have for many generations been using clay from the Mun River bank for pottery. Today many crockery items and souvenirs are made by using the original techniques. Bronzed black clay gives Dan Kwian pottery its unique look.

Ban Prasat Archaeological Site is 45 kilometres from the city on the way to Khon Kaen. A burial pit with human skeletons, red clay pottery with a rope design, and alloy and shell ornaments have been discovered here. There is evidence of an ancient community from the Dvaravati and Khmer periods that lived here 2,500-3,000 years ago.

Phimai National Museum is in Phimai and is 60 kilometres from the city on the road to Khon Kaen. It has a collection of artefacts and displays information on the cultural prosperity of ancient Isan (northeast). Artefacts found in the lower Northeast are displayed here, including pre-historic items like pottery, skeletons, tools, and alloy an stone ornaments. Artefacts from later periods include stone temple boundary markers from the Dvaravati period, Khmer building parts, and a bas relief of King Jayavoraman VII found at Phimai Sanctuary, deemed the museum's most outstanding exhibit. The museum is open 9.00 a.m.-4.00 p.m. daily.

Phimai Historical Park is in Phimai town, a most important ancient town in the Khmer period situated on a plateau. The sanctuary is one of the largest and most majestic to be found. It was built at the end of the 16th Buddhist century and additions were made during the reign of King Jayavoraman VII at the beginning of the next century. The sanctuary faces south towards the old capital of the Khmer Empire. The sanctuary is divided into 3 sections:

A ledge or inner wall surrounds the inner section. The main pagoda is huge and breathtaking. Constructed of white sandstone, it is covered with elaborate designs. Most of the lintels recount beliefs in Hinduism. The lintel of the inner doorway of the pagoda portrays images of the Mahayana sect of Buddhism. Two smaller pagodas called Prang Phrommathat and Prang Hin Daeng are in front of the main pagoda. The outer section consists of 2 buildings paired together facing west. A pool is located in each corner. A Naga (mythical serpent) bridge and a lion statue lead into the front entrance.

Beyond the outer wall is another wall which can be clearly seen from the south. There are some sites situated outside the wall, including Tha Nang Sa Phom, Kuti rusi and Arkhayasan (a community medical center).

Sai Ngam is on the bank of the Mun River near Phimai Dam. A 2-kilometre road on the left just before reaching Phimai leads to Sai Ngam. This place is group of banyan trees that grew from a single tree that is now over 350 years old. Over the years the trees have grown to cover the whole area, making the place ideal for relaxation. Near the area are several vendors selling northeastern food.

Phimai Festival and Boat Races is held in the second week of November. The festival features cultural performances, a procession depicting life in the Khmer period, alight-and-sound show, and exciting boat races.

NaKhon Ratchasima has many well-known products such as Dan Kwian pottery, silk and Mat Mi cloth in Pak Thong Chai that can be purchased directly form the producer. In addition, foodstuffs made from pork, such as Chinese sausages and dried pork, and sweets are always popular with visitors.