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City of Nakhon Ratchasima เทศบาลนครนครราชสีมา Korat City
Aerial view of the city
Nickname(s): Khorat / Korat
City of Nakhon Ratchasima
Coordinates: 14°58′50″N 102°6′00″E / 14.98056°N 102.1°E / 14.98056; 102.1
Country	Thailand
District	Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima
Province	Nakhon Ratchasima
- Settled	AD.1656 (Ayutthaya Period)
- as Sanitary districts	January 3, 1908
- as Municipality	December 7, 1935
Government
- Type	City Municipality
- Mayor	Surawuth Cherdchai
- Municipal Clerk	Arlom Tangtaku
Area
- City	37.5 km2 (14.5 sq mi)
- Land	37.4 km2 (14.45 sq mi)
- Metro	767.98 km2 (296.52 sq mi)
Population (2008)
- City	144,407 (2,009)
- Density	3,851/km2 (9,974/sq mi)
- Metro	439,546 (2,008)
- Metro Density	572/km2 (1,481.5/sq mi)
- Demonym	Korat
Time zone	Thailand (UTC+7)
Area code(s)	044

Nakhon Ratchasima (Thai: นครราชสีมา, IPA: [nákʰōn rāːtɕʰásǐːmāː]) is a city (thesaban nakhon) in the north-east (Isan) of Thailand and gateway to Isan. It is the capital of the Nakhon Ratchasima Province and Nakhon Ratchasima district. As of 2008^[1], in the municipal area has a population of 145,793.

The city is also commonly known as Khorat or Korat (โคราช), which is a short version of the ancient name Angkor Raj.^{[citation needed][2]} It is located at the western edge of the Khorat Plateau and historically marked the boundary between the Lao and Siamese territory, however now is considered a gateway to the Northeast (Isan). Its geographical location is 14°58.5′N 102°6′E / 14.975°N 102.1°E / 14.975; 102.1Coordinates: 14°58.5′N 102°6′E / 14.975°N 102.1°E / 14.975; 102.1.

Nakhon Ratchasima is also the center of the Nakhon Ratchasima Metropolitan Area.

History

Archeological evidence has discovered that there were two ancient towns that later became named Sema and Nakhon Raj which currently are in Sung Noen district, 32 km west of present-day Nakhonratchasima (Korat). Probably, prior to the fourteenth century, the location of Nakhon Ratchasima was under the Khmer empire 's sphere (known in Khmer as Nokor Reach Seyma/Nokor Reach Borei and Koreach) while another town to the north, Phimai, was likely more important.

From 1656-1688 King Narai of Ayutthaya Kingdom ordered a 'new' Korat to be built, to guard Ayutthaya 's northeastern frontier. Nakhon Ratchasima from then on was mentioned in old Ayutthaya's chronicles and its legal documents as a 'second - class' city of the kingdom. Its governor was named and ruled the city as a 'dynasty'. Nakhon Ratchasima engaged directly in Ayutthaya's internal struggle.

From the beginning of Bangkok period, Nakhon Ratchasima became the kingdom's biggest northeastern frontier's stronghold, supervising the Kingdom's Laotian and Khmer 'vassals'.

The city was attacked by Anouvong, the King of Vientiane, in 1826 in an attempt to halt growing Siamese domination of Laos. A prominent figure of this time was Thao Suranaree, a local heroine who has been honored with a statue in the center of downtown Korat; she is credited with having freed the city from Anouvong's army.

The old, walled town of Korat east of the Thao Suranaree monument was designed and built by a French engineer who is believed to be the one who also built Naraimaharaj Palace in Lopburi. The French-based design is reflected in the moat system that surrounds the innermost portion of the city.

Nakhon Ratchasima continued to be the important, political and economic center in the northeastern region even after the administrative reform in the late nineteenth century. The first railroad to the northeastern region, Isan, arrived in early twentieth century. Nakhon Ratchasima then became the main junction of railway in the region.

In October 1933, after the 1932 Revolution had ended the absolute monarchy, the city became the headquarters of the Boworadej Revolt, an abortive uprising against the new governBIB

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During the Vietnam War, Nakhon Ratchasima was home to United States military bases.

Korat City Panorama view from Fort Suranaree Hospital

Transportation

Nakhon Ratchasima is connected with the northeastern railway line, connecting Bangkok with Ubon Ratchathani and Nong Khai. Also passing the city is Mittraphap Road (Thailand Route 2). 26 km east of the city is the Nakhon Ratchasima Airport.

As of 30 November 2006, the airport does not handle passenger traffic, and shipping has not been seen as a major commercial possibility. Passenger service has been attempted many times with financial failure (charges were as low as 99 baht to fly to Bangkok), authorities are still discussing ways to make the over 400 million baht investment several years ago a paying venture.

Major Points of Interest

• Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base was used by the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. It is located some 8 km south of the city.
• Korat Zoo - The zoo is first-class and worth the visit (by personal account). Admission fee: 50B for Thais, 100B for foreign tourists. The zoo is located about 13 km south of the city of Nakhon Ratchasima on highway 304 and the new water park korat is in around the northeast.
• Thao Suranaree Monument - This is currently under major renovation. Lady Mo statue itself is in place, and vendors providing flowers and incense, etc., are currently nearby in makeshift stalls.
• Wat Salaloi
• His Majesty the King's 80th Birthday Anniversary, 5th December 2007 Sports Complex is a multi-use stadium in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, that was completed in 2007. It was used for track & field events, football matches and hosted the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2007 Southeast Asian Games. In 2008, Nakhon Ratchasima FC, the city's only football team, moved in to the stadium.

Korat has becoming increasingly attractive to foreigners over the last five years, with growing numbers from mostly North America and Europe moving to the province. Still rustic, with cheap housing and land prices, the province is located only three hours' drive from Bangkok, (by bus or train) and as its Gateway to the Northeast moniker suggests, Korat connects the other 18 NE Thailand provinces with the central region by rail and highway.

Weather

There are generally three seasons in the region: Hot (February - May), Rainy (May - October), Cold (October - February). In the cold season, temperatures in Korat proper will drop to about 60 degrees F, and in rural areas, down to the low fifties.

Education

Universities

There are 4 universities in the area.

• Suranaree University of Technology
• Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University
• Rajamangala University of Technology Isan
• Vongchavalitkul Univerisity

Schools

Elementary Schools

• Ruammit School
• Sukhanaree School
• Anuban Nakhonratchasima School
• Wat Sakaew School
• Muang Nakhonratchasima School

High Schools

• Assumption School Nakhon Ratchasima
• St.Mary Business Administration College
• Rajsima Wittayalai School
• Saint Mary's College Nakhon Ratchasima
• Suranaree Witthaya School
• Boonwattana School
• Suratham Pitak School

Facilities

Hospitals

• Bangkok-Ratchasima Hospital
• Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital
• Saint Mary's Hospital
• The Golden Gate Hospital
• Po-Pat Hospital
• Fort Suranaree Hospital

Hotels

• City Park Hotel [1]
• Sima-Thani Hotel
• Ratjapheck Grand Hotel
• Hermitage Hotel
• Sri Pattana Hotel
• Panjadara Hotel
• Raya Grand Hotel

Shopping Center & Department Store

• Big C Supercenter. Located on Mittraphap-Nong Khai Road.
• Klang Plaza Atsadang. Located on Atsadang Road.
• Klang Plaza Chomsurang. Located on Chomsurangyat Road.
• IT City. Located on Mittraphap Road.
• Makro. Located on Mittraphap-Nong Khai Road.
• The Mall Department Store including Home Pro & EGV Cinemas. Located on Mittraphap Road.
• Tesco Lotus Hypermarket. Located on Mittraphap Road.

Local media

Newspapers

• The Korat Daily. Thai language.
• The Korat Post. English-language monthly.

See also

• Nakhon Ratchasima Province
• Nakhon Ratchasima Metropolitan Area
• List of Cities, Towns and Townships in Nakhon Ratchasima Province
• Korat (cat)

References

External links

• Happykorat.com : Central web and Information of Nakhonratchasima (Business & SMEs)
• City of Nakhon Ratchasima Municipality
• 24th Southeast Asian Games Nakhon Ratchasima 2007 Website
• Photo collections from 1966/67
• Information, news and maps of Nakhon Ratchasima
• Nakhon Ratchasima Football Club website (English language)

From Wikitravel

Prasat Hin Phimai The largest sandstone sanctuary in Thailand.

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.

Khorat grew in the 20th century as a major hub for water buffalo trading because of its proximity to Bangkok markets. The city continues to be a major industrial center because of this advantage and draws a large labour pool from across Isaan. Nakhon Ratchasima is known as the Gateway to Isaan, but may also be thought of as Isaan's gateway to the rest of Thailand.

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.

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.

Thao Suranari or Khun Ying Mo

• 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.

• 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 costs 100 baht for foreigners. 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.

Mission Hills Golf Club Khao Yai

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
• Volunteer - Dragonfly Volunteer Projects operates out of Khorat and arranges volunteering opportunities in schools and orphanages across Isaan
• 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.

Buy

There are both in door and out door Malls.

N R Shopping

THE MALL

• The Mall The Biggest Mall In Korat

1. Theme: Department Store
2. Directions: A little bit outside downtown on Mittrapap Rd.

• Nakhon Ratchasima Shopping # Theme: Food and Drink

1. 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.

Som Tam (Papaya Salad)

• Nakhon Ratchasima Restaurants- #Theme: Local

1. Address: The street in front of Wat Pa Salawan
2. Directions: Behind the area of Nakhon Ratchasima Railway Station

Jungle Ville

• • Menu- papaya salad, roast chicken, sticky rice, and Issan sausages, pad mee korat (korat noodle)
• Steak Ton Num: Ostrich Steak and more- # Theme: Steakhouse

1. Address: Wang Nam Khieo District
2. 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

1. Address: 309 Soi Savai Lieng, Mukkhamontri Rd.
2. Phone: 66 44 253281
3. Directions: Lotus Superstore located in front / walking distance from Lotus

• Jungle Ville: Jungle Ville- # Theme: Steakhouse

1. Address: Wang Nam Kheio district
2. 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.

See Creek Bed & Breakfast

There are many hotels/guesthouses/resorts in Nakhon Ratchasima and some are :

• Mandarin Khao Yai, 188 Moo 5, Tambol Moosee, Amphur Pakchong, Nakornratchasima Thailand 30130, ☎ +66 (0) 4429-7466-9, [1]. Set amongst majestic mountains of Khao Yai and surrounded by natural splendor, the Mandarin Khao Yai Hotel invites you to enjoy refreshing mountain breeze and magical scenery, an ideal destination for a long family holiday or a weekend getaway from Bangkok. Here you can relax, engage in sport activities, or simply admire the serene surroundings of Thailand’s main natural reserve. Mandarin Khao Yai Hotel is located at 188 Moo 5, Thanarat Road, Pachong, Nakornratchasima.  edit

• Village Farm Winery (just off Highway 304 at Wang Nam Kheao) tel. +66-44228407 [2]. 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.

See Creek Bed & Breakfast

• 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

See Creek Bed & Breakfast

• 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

See Creek Bed & Breakfast

• 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.

Sample thumbnail

• Dusit 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
• Raya Grand - 800-2,000 baht. Nice small hotel; very friendly staff; restaurant; bar; Internet. 10 minutes from The Mall by Tuk Tuk. ATM/shops/bars/massage all within 5 minute walking distance from hotel.

Contact

Modern Intenet cafés are plentiful and charge around 15-20 baht/hour.

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