Nakhon Ratchasima, also known as Korat, is a province located in the lower northeastern part of Thailand. Far from being a tourist destination, it is a place full of friendly people, spectacular temples, colourful markets, the famous ‘good luck’ cats of Korat or Si-Sawat, rice and cassava fields and a thousand-year history.
A large city in Thailand
Nakhon Ratchasima is home to such notable and famous people as singers, actors and actresses, weightlifter Udomporn Polsak, footballers Amorn Thammanarm and Issawa Singthong, physicist and scientist Shaiwatna Kupratakul and, of course, Thailand’s former prime minister, General Prayut Chan-ocha.
Korat is a large, modern city with a population of 150,000 and the second largest city in Thailand. It is very famous for the Thao Suranaree Monument dedicated to Lady Mo, the wife of the deputy governor of Nakhon Ratchasima. She saved the people of Korat from the Lao invaders. Located on the klong or canal, opposite the Pratu Chumphon Gate, the Thao Suranaree monument is a sacred and revered place for the people of Korat. Near the monument, the canal or klong crosses the city centre, and local hawkers sell food to feed the fish and pigeons.
Another historic and visible landmark in the city is the Korat City Gate or Ya-Mo Gate, located at the junction of Ratchadamnoen Road and Highway 224.
Visiting Korat
The city has several shopping centres, including The Mall, which has a beautiful waterfall, the popular Klang Plaza and the new Terminal 21 and Central Plaza shopping complexes. Nakhon Ratchasima has an abundance of Isan restaurants and street markets, with special mention of the popular Korat Night Bazaar, also known as NBK. Save One Market, a huge night market, is the largest market in Korat, with restaurants, shops and dozens, if not hundreds, of stalls selling cheap items such as mobile phone accessories, antiques, clothes, shoes, costume jewellery, etc. Save One Market offers a free shuttle service using electric shuttles that take passengers from one place to another within this huge market.
The town also has some nightlife near the University of Technology, with bars and restaurants frequented by local students.
The canal or klong crosses the centre, and street vendors in the area sell food to feed the fish and pigeons.
Korat has many interesting places to visit, for example Wat Pa Salawan, a Theravada Buddhist temple located in the centre of the city. Other interesting places in the metropolis are the 80th Anniversary Stadium, home of Nakhon Ratchasima FC, His Majesty the King’s 80th Anniversary Sports Complex, 5 December 2007, built for the 2007 Southeast Asian Games, which coincided with King Bhumbol Adulyadej’s 80th birthday, and the Maha Weerawong Museum.
Amazing temples
The city of Nakhon Rachasima is also home to historic temples such as the Khmer temple Prasat Hin Phanom Wan, Wat Phra Narai Maharat and the unconventional Chinese junk-shaped Wat Sala Loi Chapel. Wat Ban Rai, also known as the elephant temple is a popular tourist destination for Thai and foreign tourists.
Korat has two airports, Nakhon Ratchasima Airport, located 26km east of the city at Amphoe Chaloem Phra Kiat, and the Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, about 8km south of downtown Korat, which was used during the Vietnam War.
Outside the city, Nakhon Rachasima also has much to offer.
If you’re visiting Sikhio, not far from the city, is a must to pay a visit to the magnificent and impressive Wat Luang Phor Toh, a spectacular temple financed by the famous and late Thai actor Sorapong Chatree.
Places of interest
Dan Kwian Pottery Village is a village in Chok Chai district. It is very famous for its pottery, ceramics and handicrafts. This small village produces amazing pieces, such as huge, realistic Buddha images, as well as clay tiles, carved ceramic murals and ceramic jewellery.
In the south of the province you can visit the Wang Nam Khiao Flower Garden in Wang Nam Khiao District, an exotic garden with thousands of colourful flowers.
Another interesting place to visit to take your mind off the daily routine is the Jim Thompson Farm, which is open from December to January. This 600 rai farm exhibits themes related to rice culture, attracting large crowds, especially on weekends and holidays. Visitors to the farm can also experience the silk production processes.
Nakhon Rachasima is a culturally rich province with friendly people, a treasure most tourists are unaware of.
-Thailand News (TN)
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