Welcome to Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand

Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand

Source: Tourism Authority of Thailand


General

Nakhon Ratchasima, or “Khorat,” is a large province on the northeastern plateau and is like the gateway to other provinces in the Northeast. It is 259 kilometres from Bangkok and has an area of around 20,494 square kilometres. The province is rich in Khmer culture and has a long history. It is famous for the highly revered Khun Ying Mo (Ya Mo) statue in the middle of town. It also has beautiful nature, with many forests, mountains, waterfalls, and reservoirs. Furthermore, it is well known for a variety of quality handicrafts that visitors can choose from, particularly the popular clay pottery products of Dan Kwian.

Nakhon Ratchasima used to be the site of several ancient prehistoric communities that continued to grow when the Dvaravati culture came in and later when the Khmer culture replaced it. An important prehistoric site is Ban Prasat. Traces of Dvaravati and Khmer cultures are scattered throughout the province, particularly at Amphoe Sung Noen and Amphoe Phimai. Nakhon Ratchasima has been a key city since ancient times as an administration centre. It was responsible for many northeastern cities in the past. Even now, its status has remained unchanged in that it is the Northeast’s main transportation hub and economic centre.

Attractions

Ban Krok Duean Ha
Petrified Wood Park at Ban Krok Duean Ha, Tambon Suranari. Take Highway No. 304 (Nakhon Ratchasima-Pak Thong Chai) for 19 kilometres, turn right into Suranari University of Technology (second gate) and drive for 3 kilometres, turn left onto the Mittraphap-Nong Pling city bypass and drive for 2 kilometres to Wat Krok Duean Ha. The area has a collection of over 10,000 petrified wood pieces. Petrified wood was unearthed here just beneath the surface to 8 metres underground.

The wood is of various sizes from pebbles to rocks with a diametre of over 50 centimetres and some pieces are more than 1 metre long. The wood comes in many colours in the same stone and in different ones. They are aged between 1 to 70 million years old. Provincial authorities plan to make this area a petrified wood park and the first museum of its kind in Asia to conserve these prehistoric treasures for future generations to study.

Chang Phuak Shrine
Chang Phuak Shrine is a small shrine on the northern part of the city moat, at the corner of Manat and Phon Saen Roads. It houses a Takhian Hin tree stump that was the site where the people of Phu Khiao tied elephants for inspectors to look at before presenting them to King Rama I for his transport.

City Pillar
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, both the shrine and city pillar were made of wood. The inner eastern wall is covered with fired clay tiles with raised designs of the battle of Thao Suranari and the way of life of Thais in ancient times.

Maha Wirawong National Museum
Maha Wirawong National Museum is in Wat Sutthachinda opposite the provincial hall. It displays items that Somdet Phra Maha Wirawong, the ex-abbot of Wat Sutthachinda, collected, as well as artefacts that the Fine Arts Department found in Nakhon Ratchasima and nearby provinces and donations. Most items are Buddha images, including stone images of the Khmer period, images from the Ayutthaya period, bronze images, earthenware, ancient utensils, and woodcarving. The museum is open during 9 a.m.-4 p.m. from Wednesday to Sunday. It is closed on public holidays. The entry fee is 10 baht. For information, call tel. 0- 4424-2958.

Miss Bun Luea Memorial
Miss Bun Luea Memorial is in Bun Luea Witthayanuson School in Tambon Khok Sung, 12.5 kilometres from the city on the Nakhon Ratchasima-Chaiyaphum road on the left. It was opened on 6 July 1986. The monument is made of bronze and is 175 centimetres high. It was built to honor the heroism of Miss Bun Luea and Nakhon Ratchasima people who gave their lives fighting Chao Anuwong in 1826 at Thung Samrit by tossing lighted coal bundles into a wagon carrying gunpowder of the Lao army and totally destroying it. The explosion killed Miss Bunlua.

Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo
Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo is 18 kilometres south of the city on Highway No. 304 (Nakhon Ratchasima-Pak Thong Chai), then take a left onto Highway No. 2310 for approximately 1 kilometre. If travelling by bus from the city, use air-conditioned bus No. 1415.

The zoo has an area of 545 rai (218 acres) and is one of the most modern in Asia. The enclosures are large and the zoo has landscaped each section so it matches the habit of each animal. Most of the animals here are from Africa. Of note are penguins, seals, African elephants, rhinoceros, cheetahs, lions, zebras, and giraffes. There is also a reptile building and a hornbill garden. The zoo is ideal for biology study and relaxation. The area is decorated with lovely flowers. A trailer takes visitors around the zoo, and there are bicycles for rent. The zoo is open daily during 8 a.m.-6 p.m. The fee is 10 baht for children, 30 baht for adults, and 30 baht for four-wheel cars. For information, call 0 4435 7355, 0 4421 6251-3 or visit www.zoothailand.org.

Prasat Phanom Wan
Prasat Phanom Wan is in Ban Makha, Tambon Pho, around 15 kilometres from the city on the Nakhon Ratchasima-Khon Kaen Road. A sign on the right shows the way on a road 5 kilometres more. This is an interesting Khmer sanctuary. It is believed that it was built in the 10th century. Later during the 13th-14th centuries, a stone building was built over it. From inscriptions found at the site, it is known that the sanctuary was used in the Hindu religion and later became a Buddhist site. Although most of it is in ruins, there is a clear form present, like the square main pagoda facing east and a tiered pagoda in front, as well as a path linking the two structures.

To the southwest is a building of red sandstone called “Prang Noi.” Inside is a large stone Buddha image. A roofed sandstone walkway and a laterite wall go around the sanctuary. A Gopura (a sanctuary doorway or porch) in the form of a tall tower is situated in all 4 directions. Around 230 metres east of the sanctuary are traces of a moat and an earth hill that was the site of another Khmer building called “Noen Oraphim.”

Pratu Chum Phon
Pratu Chum Phon is behind the monument. It is an old city gate built during the reign of King Narai the Great in 1656. The king commanded that a strong city wall be built. Engineers from France, then an ally of the country, designed the city plan. Nakhon Ratchasima at that time was an outpost in the shape of a rectangle of 1,000 x 1,700 metres. The western Chum Phon Gate is the only 1 of 4 city gates that still stands. The other three gates have been rebuilt. Chum Phon Gate is built of large stones and bricks and covered with plaster. The top is a watchtower made of wood with a tiled roof and decorated in the Thai style.

Thao Suranari Monument
Thao Suranari Monument is a memorial to the Thai heroine called ‘Ya Mo’ by locals. Built in 1933, 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. The right hand holds a sword and the statue faces west towards the capital of Bangkok. The monument base holds her ashes.

Thao Suranari was originally Khunying Mo, the wife of the assistant governor of Nakhon Ratchasima. In 1826, Chao Anuwong of Vientiane had Khorat under siege but Khunying Mo rallied villagers to fight againt Chao Anuwong. After the battle was over, King Rama III promoted her to Thao Suranari. Every year during 23 March to 3 April, the people would hold a festival to honour her bravery.

Transportation

Bus
The Transport Co., Ltd. (known as Bo Kho So) has both air-conditioned and non air-conditioned buses departing from the Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit 2) daily. Air-conditioned buses depart from Bangkok every 10 minutes all day, travelling time is 3.20 hours and the fare is 157 baht. Non air-conditioned buses depart from Bangkok every hour from 5 a.m.-8 p.m., travelling time is 4.30 hours and the fare is 87 baht. For information, call 0 2936 2852-66 or check a current 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. 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).

For travelling within the province, there are many lines of mini-buses and buses running in the city and nearby areas. A more convenient way to get around is to take tricycles and motorized tricycles called Tuk Tuk in the city. The price must be agreed upon before a trip. If travelling to another district, you can take a bus at Bus Terminal 1 on Burin Road where there are mini-buses and buses. At Bus Terminal 2, there are only buses running 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 Mittraphap-Khon Kaen Road, tel. 0 4425 6006-9 ext. 175, 176 (air-conditioned), 178 (regular).

Car
You can take 3 routes. The most popular one from Bangkok is to take Highway No. 1 (Phahon Yothin) then Highway No. 2 (Mittraphap) at Saraburi to Nakhon Ratchasima. The total distance is 259 kilometres.

Another route from Bangkok is to take Highway No. 304 past Min Buri, Chachoengsao, Phanom Sarakham, Kabin Buri, Pak Thong Chai, to Nakhon Ratchasima. The total distance is 273 kilometres.

Alternatively, take the Bangkok-Rangsit-Nakhon Nayok route then connect to Highway No. 33 to Kabin Buri, then go on to Highway No. 304 past Wang Nam Khiao, Pak Thong Chai and into Nakhon Ratchasima.

Train
Trains leave from Bangkok Railway Station to Nakhon Ratchasima 7 times daily from 6.50 a.m.-11.25 p.m. It takes about 6 hours. For information, call Railway Information of the State Railways of Thailand at tel. 1690, 0 2223 7010 and 0 2223 7020 or visit www.srt.motc.go.th.

Air
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 view their website at www.airandaman.com.

Thai Airways has several daily flights connecting Bangkok with Nakhon Ratchasima. For more information, contact their Bangkok office at tel. 0 2280 0060, 0 2628 2000 or view their website at www.thaiairways.com. In Nakhon Ratchasima, call 0 4425 7211-2, 0 4425 4834-5. Nakhon Ratchasima Airport is 30 kilometres from the city on the Nakhon Ratchasima-Chakkarat Road in Amphoe Chaloem Phra Kiat.

Recommended Hotels in Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat)

Kirimaya Golf Resort & Spa 1/3 Moo 6, Thanarat Road, Moo Si, Pakchong, Nakhon Ratchasima 30130 Why is this hotel? Leave the congestion of the city behind and enter the fresh green realm of Khao Yai, Thailand’s premier national park where nature reigns supreme. In sight of evergreen hills and grasslands, Kirimaya welcomes you to experience a natural escape in the way of your choosing a refreshingly innovative choice. Your stay at Kirimaya combines the natural charms of Khao Yai with the lifestyle of contemporary living. Rooms, suites and unique tented villas are luxuriously spacious with idyllic views of unsurpassed greens and hills. A fusion of Asian touches blend effortlessly with natural silks, linens and earthy woods. Rest easy and relish the understated elegance of welcoming space that embraces the natural world. Imagine a quiet haven with fresh innovative designs :: Rate & Location :: Hotel Facilities :: Reservation Juldis Khao Yai Resort & Spa 54 Moo 4, Thanarat Road, (Km.17) T.Moosri, Pakchong, Nakorn Ratchasima 30130 Why is this hotel? Juldis Khao Yai Resort and Spa "A door back to nature and your own private world", is located at 17th km. on Thanarat Road, the main road leading to Khao Yai National Park, in Thumbol Moo-Sri, Amphur Packchong, Nakhonrachasrima in the north-eastern of the country. At a distance of only 180 km., approx. 2 hrs drive from Bangkok, the area's first resort hotel is waiting to fill your days and nights with all the modern creature comforts yet surrounded by peace and tranquility of the National Park-Khao Yai. The property offers a variety of accommodations ranging from a homely bungalow for large family to a luxurious suite house for top VIPs and executives. Our Food & Beverage department will ensure that your culinary requirement is fulfilled whether it's 400 people banqueting or a couple's intimate candle-lit dinner. We also offer full meeting and seminar services with all the most up-to-date equipment including multi-system Video-Projector. We can tailor-made a package to suit your requirement and budget-from a small meeting to 400-500 people. :: Rate & Location :: Travel Reviews :: Reservation Hotels in Nakhon Ratchasima, Pakchong, Khao Yai