Nakhon Ratchasima
Nakhon Ratchasima (นครราชสีมา - usually referred to simply as Korat or Khorat) is the provincial capital of Nakhon Ratchasima Province.
Understand
About 260 kilometers from Bangkok, Nakhon Ratchasima is the 6th largest city of Thailand. It is very closely related to the Khmer kingdom and has many of the Khmer cultures and historic histories in its city. This city is known best for their clay pottery products and museums of both artifacts and sites. Mainly engaged in agricultural activities that include farming of rice and other crops such as sugar cane, tapioca, corn, jute, peanuts, sesame and fruits. Most of the factories are rice mills, tapioca product manufacturers, and industrial factories.
Get in
By car
There are three routes to take from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima.
- First Route: Taking Highway No. 1 (Phahonyothin) passing Don Muang Airport, Wang Noi, till arriving Saraburi. At Saraburi, turn right along Highway No. 2 (Mittraphap Highway) which finally leads to Nakhon Ratchasima. The total distance of this route is 259 kilometers.
- Second Route: This alternative route is a little longer in distance but interesting town and city passing is a worth compensation. The direction is along Highway No. 304 via Min Buri, Chachoengsao, Phanom Sarakham, Kabin Buri, Pak Thong Chai and finally Nakhon Ratchasima. The total distance is 273 kilometers.
- Third Route: Taking Highway No. 305 passing Thanyaburi, Ongkharak to Nakhon Nayok. From Nakhon Nayok, take Highway No. 33 to Kabin Buri an turn left along Highway No. 304 passing Pak Thong Chai to Nakhon Ratchasima.
By bus
There are both air and non-air-condition leaving from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima.
- Non air-conditioned runs every 15 minutes.
- Air-conditioned runs every 20 minutes, cost 206 baht, and takes about 3.30 hours.
By train
Trains leave from Bangkok Railway Station daily and takes about 4 hours.
By plane
As of June 2007, there are no longer any direct flights into Nakhon Ratchasima. The nearest airport with flights to/from Bangkok is at Buriram.
Get around
Best way is by driving/personal transportation.
Festivals/Events
- Phimai Boat Races Take place on the Moon River near the old Khmer city of Phimai and are held yearly by the people of Amphoe Phimai during the second weekend of November. This event includes boats decorated competitions and stalls selling local products.
- Thao Suranari Commamoration. held from March 23 to April 2 to commemorate the victory of Thao Suranari. This event includes cultural displays, exhitions, and fireworks.
- Phimai Festival. held the same time as Phimai boat Races in Phimai historical Park. This events includes light and sound presentation of buddhist, historical, and cultural exhibitions.
- 'Miss Boonlua Memorial Commemorate miss Boonlua and the people of Nakhon Ratchasima who died in the battle of Thung Samrit in 1826.
See
- Wat Phra Narai Maharat image of Narayana made of sand stone
- Wat Sala Loi Chapel shape of Chinese Junk
- Maha Weerwong National Museum Includes arts objects and artifacts of Buddha images and Ayutthaya period. Bronze Buddha images, different sizes ceramics and wood carvings from ancient monasteries. Open everyday except Mondays, Tuesdays, and offical holidays.
- Prasat Hin Phanom Wan Stupa built of sandstone.
- Khao Yai National Park Thailand first national park. Has four different provinces which includes 3,000 species of plant, 200 wild elephants, tigers, gibbons, bears, deer, bats, wild pigs, bird, and etc. the admission fee is 200 baht for adults and 100 baht for children. Lodge houses range from 1,200 baht. Youth Camps range from 10 to 20 baht. Camping rate from 5 baht with your own tent.
- Phimai Historical Park Opens daily from 7:30 and cost 40 baht. Parts of the park are older than Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Includes Khmer buildings, sculptures leading to the shrine, restaurant, and gift shop.
- Dan Kwain Nakhon Ratchasima's main ceramics centre. Famous for its rough texture and rust-like colour pottery.
- Lam Takhong Dam surrounded by shady trees
- Sai NgamLocated on the bank of the Moon River. Includes some of the largest banyan trees.
- Prasat Nang Ram originally meant to be a nursing place during the 12th century in Khmer style.
- Khao Chan Ngam Cave famous for pre-historic color paintings.
- Archaeological Site At Ban Prasat Ancient bronze age artifacts in burial site that dates back 3000 years.
- Muang Sema Buddhist Temple
- Wat Ban Rai famous monastery of a well known monk, Luang Pho Khun Porisutho.
Do
While it's not a resort town, there are plenty of things to do, including:
- The Mall - a huge shopping mall with a quite beautiful waterfall theme
- Waterslide park - has an Olympic-sized pool, great to do some laps and stay in shape
- Landscaped jogging park - near the military base
- Thai discos
- Massage parlors
- Cinema and bowling alley
- Golf- all are beautiful golf courses
- Friendship Meadows Country Club- range from 600 for guest to 800 for visitors on weekdays, 400 baht more on weekends.
- Misson Hills Golf Club Khao Yai- range from 800 for guests and 600 for visitors a day.
- Rooks Korat Country Club Golf & Resort- starts at 500 for both guests and visitors.
- The Country Club Khao Yai- Start at 250 for guests and 500 for visitors.
- Voyage Panorama Resort and Golf Club Starts at 500 for guests and visitors for weekdays and 800 for weekends.
- Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo fifth zoo of Thailand. Opens everyday from 8-4:30.
There are both in door and out door Malls.
- The Mall The Biggest Mall In Korat
- Theme: Department Store
- Directions: A little bit outside downtown on Mittrapap Rd.
- Nakhon Ratchasima Shopping # Theme: Food and Drink
- Directions: 1) In downtown near Chom Surang Hotel 2) Outside the town, on Mittrapap Rd (from downtown head to bangkok on mittrapap road)
And many more..
Eat
There are restaurants and outside carts.
- Nakhon Ratchasima Restaurants- #Theme: Local
- Address: The street in front of Wat Pa Salawan
- Directions: Behind the area of Nakhon Ratchasima Railway Station
- Menu- papaya salad, roast chicken, sticky rice, and Issan sausages, pad mee korat (korat noodle)
- Steak Ton Num: Ostrich Steak and more- # Theme: Steakhouse
- Address: Wang Nam Khieo District
- Directions: on highway no 304, on the way to the top of the area.. (~75 km from Korat town)
- Lan Look Mai Restaurant: Nice Thai Restaurant- # Theme: Other
- Address: 309 Soi Savai Lieng, Mukkhamontri Rd.
- Phone: 66 44 253281
- Directions: Lotus Superstore located in front / walking distance from Lotus
- Jungle Ville: Jungle Ville- # Theme: Steakhouse
- Address: Wang Nam Kheio district
- Directions: (~85 km from Korat town) On the highway no.304 Turn left and drive off the main road at Tumbon ThaiSamukkee (or ThaiSamukkee sub-district) to the restaurant.. (Follow the signs along the way)
And many more...
Drink
They have all kinds of drinks.
Sleep
There are many hotels/guesthouses/resorts in Nakhon Ratchasima and some are :
- Village Farm Winery (just off Highway 304 at Wang Nam Kheao) tel. +66-44228407 . This winery / bed & breakfast is situated amongst the rolling hills just next to Khao Yai National Forest and is designed to be natural getaway. Rooms start at 2000 baht for a dorm style room and 3800 baht for a room with private bathroom. Dinner with wine, breakfast, and a wine tasting are included. Because of the height above sea level, the area is cooler than normal. The Village Farm is a great place for a romantic or family weekend away from the rush, but you may want to look elsewhere if you are looking for a wide range of activities.
- Lamai Homestay/Guesthouse and Isan Tours- 400-600 baht. Over look lake. Choice of Isan or European food. Tours to Khmer temples, craft activities.
- Kratomhin Nuntapuk- 600-2,700 baht
- Chayada Resort- 950-1,800 baht
- Pakchong Landmark Hotel- 1,000-1,850 baht
- Chateau de Khaoyai Resort- 1,000-25,000 baht
- Hermitage Hotel & Resort- 1,050-2,700 baht
- Khao Yai Isaan Guesthouse- 1,100-1,450 baht
- The Palm Tree- 1,250-1,750 baht
- Mandarin Golden Valley Hotel & Resort Khao Yai- 1,300-2,950 baht
- Sima Thani Hotel- 1,400-1,900 baht. Offers 265 superior and deluxe furnished air-conditioned/khmer style rooms and suites. Includes bar, business centre, restaurant, coffee shop, meeting facilities, fitness centre, cable TV, spa, and swimming pool.
- Juldis Khao Yai Resort & Spa- 1,500-3,200 baht. Located on the main road leading to Khao Yai National Park. Includes 24 hour room service, conference/function rooms, business facilities, golfing and horse riding, bathroom, cable TV, mini-bar, IDD telephone, and video.
- Royal Princess Korat Hotel- 1,600-2,000 baht. Located close to the city centre. Includes child care facilities, currency exchange, limousine service, recreational and business facilities, children's play area, fitness centre and swimming pool, air-conditioned, cable TV, mini bar, and IDD telephone.
- V-One Hotel- 1,650-5,900 baht
- Rabiangdao Garden & Resort- 1,750-12,000 baht
- Greenery Resort, Khao Yai- 1,900-2,500 baht
- Sak Phu Duen Hotel & Resort- 2,200-2,600 baht
- See Creek Bed & Breakfast- 3,500-6,000 baht. Located in the country side of Khao Yai, Thailand. Very convenience to Bangkok and Pak Chong shopping district, Grande Monte, PB Vineyards and restaurants, Natiional Park.
- Kirimaya Golf Resort & Spa- 6,500-30,550 baht
Contact
Modern Intenet cafés are plentiful and charge around 15-20 baht/hour.
References
http://isan.sawadee.com/nakhonratchasima/ http://www.discoverythailand.com/Nakhon_Ratchasima.asp http://www.thailandguidebook.com/provinces/nakhon_ratchasima.html http://www.virtualtourist.com/
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