Nakhon Ratchasima lso known as Khorat, Nakhon ARatchasima is the gate-way to Thai- land's sprawling northeast plateau, known among Thais as I-San, which is bordered largely by Laos and the Mekong River to the north and northeast, and Cambodia to the south. The provincial capital of Nakhon Ratchasima is some 255 kilometres north- east of Bangkok. The province covers 20, 494 square kilometres of high plateau and mountainous terrain. Nakhon Ratchasima is particularly well known for Khao Yai National Park and several Khmer sanctu- aries, dating from the pre-1200s when the area formed part of the Khmer empire cen- tred in Angkor. Area featured in this brochure City Attractions Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Surin, Ubon Thao Suranari Monument Ratchathani, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom, Located in front of the Pratu Chumpon Gate on the Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Loei and Khon western side of Kaen provinces the city, this statue of the local heroine Thao Suranari, also known as Khunying Mo, is an object of great reverence. TOURISM AUTHORITY Thao Suranari OF THAILAND helped rally during the 1800s Nakhon Ratchasima Office Nakhon Phanom Office local inhabitants 2102-2104 Mittraphap Road 18 4/1 Sunthon Wichit Road to repel invaders from Vientiane. Annual Nakhon Ratchasima 30000 Nakhon Phanom 48000 celebrations, each year from March 23 to Tel: (044) 213-666, 213-030 Tel: (042) 513-490-1 April 3, commemorate the occasion. Fax: (044) 213-667 Fax: (042) 513-492 Wat Phra Narai Maharat The temple on Prachak Road houses a Udon Thani Office sandstone statue of the Hindu god Ubon Ratchathani Office 16/5 Mukmontri Road Vishnu, which is considered to be Khorat's 264/1 Khuan Thani Road, Udon Thani 41000 most sacred object. The City Pillar is also Ubon Ratchathani 34000 Tel: (042) 325-406-7 enshrined in this temple. Tel: (045) 243-770 Fax: (042) 325-408 Wat Sala Loi Fax: (045) 243-771 This unusual example of modern northeast- ern religious architecture has won many Khon Kaen Office architectural awards. 15/5 Prachasamosorn Road, Maha Wirawong Museum Khon Kaen 40000 Opposite the City Hall, this museum exhib- its artifacts, including woodcarvings, ce- Tel: (043) 244-498-9 ramics and sandstone images, from the Fax: (043) 244-497 Khmer and Ayutthaya periods. Teacher's College Cultural Centre A permanent photographic display of arts, and historical sites, and different kinds of ancient utensils, is open to visitors during Prasat Hin Panom Wan elaborately decorated scriptural repository. official hours. 20 kilometres northeast of the provincial Lam Phra Phloeng Dam Night Bazaar capital (see map), this petite Khmer sanc- Located some 30 kilometres southwest of Located close to the city centre on Manat tuary was built during the 12th century and the Pak Thong Chai District Office, this Road, the bazaar offers local souvenirs is currently undergoing extensive resto- dam offers the possibility of boat trips to and handicrafts, including pottery and ration. the scenic Pak Thong Chai waterfall. woven cloth. Prasat Hin Phimai Dan Kwian Ceramic Village This Khmer sanctuary, some 60 kilometres Located 15 kilometres south of the provin- northeast of the provincial capital, is one cial capital on Highway 224, this roadside Out-of-City of the most splendid examples of classical handicraft village is famous for its distinc- Khmer religious architecture found outside tive traditional and rust-coloured earthen- Attractions Cambodia. The sanctuary is the focal at- ware pottery which comes in a wide vari- Khao Yai National Park traction of an extensive Historical Park, and ety of products, including ashtrays, vases, The 2,168-square kilometres park, some is contained within boundary walls meas- patterned bottles, flower bowls, lamp bases 200 kilometres northeast of Bangkok, cov- uring some 665 by 1,030 metres. Once con- and figurines. The village is as interesting ers parts of four provinces, namely Nakhon nected by road to Angkor, the sanctuary for its ancient carts and farming implements Ratchasima, Nakhon Nayok, Saraburi and was probably constructed between the late as it is for its distinctive pottery. Prachin Buri. The park is laced with many 1000's and mid 1100's. The main shrine is Muang Khorat natural trails and streams, and contains rich in Hindu and Mahayan Buddhist ico- This ancient Khmer-period settlement is several splendid waterfalls. The park may nography, including figures of the Hindu located 32 kilometres southwest of the pro- be visited by taking Highway No. 2 from gods Shiva and Vishnu, and scenes from vincial capital, near Highway No. 2. Re- Bangkok, with a tight turn at Km. 165.5 in the great Hindu epic, the Ramayana. stored Khmer sanctuaries within the area Pak Chong district. include Prasat Hin Non Ku, Prasat Hin Major Sights Muang Kaek and Prasat Hin Muang Kao. Tourist Centre, Museum, Krong Muang Sema Kaeo Waterfall are located at Km 40 on This Dvaravati period (6th-13th centuries) Highway 2090. settlement, 4 kilometres from Sung Noen Heo Suwat Waterfall is 13 kilometres District market, is oval shaped, 1,400 me- from the tourist centre and is 25 metres tres wide, and 2,000 metres long. Several high. sandstone artifacts were found in the area, Heo Narok Waterfall is the largest wa- including an 112.5 reclining Buddha im- terfall, with a three-tiered height of 150 me- age now enshrined in Wat Thammachak tres. Phimai National Museum Semaram. Khao Chan Ngam Cave Pa Kuay Mai (Orchid) Waterfall is 9 This contains a striking collection of an- kilometres from the tourist centre, and is cient Khmer and Dvaravati artifacts, in- This is located 58 kilometres from the pro- surrounded by several species of orchids. cluding sandstone lintels and pediments. vincial capital along Highway 2, on the way Nong Pakchee Wildlife Watch Sai Ngam to Bangkok, with a 4-kilometre left turn at Tower, is some 2 kilometres from the Km. 198. The 'cave', actually a series of tourist centre, and permits the observation Otherwise known as 'Beautiful Banyan rock formations, is famous for prehistoric , from a height of approximately 20 metres, Tree', this recreation area 2 kilometres from rock paintings. of birds, deer, wild boar and elephants. Phimai provides more than 15,000 square Accommodation, either in lodges, youth metres of shade believed to have originated camp or tents, can be arranged by con- from one single banyan tree. Special Events tacting the National Parks Division of the Ban Prasat Thao Suranari Royal Forestry Department in Bangkok Archaeological Site Commemorations (Tel: 579-0529, 579-4842). Located some 45 kilometres from the pro- March 23-April 3 Suan Kaeo vincial capital, on the Nakhon Ratchasima- This annual event celebrates the local hero- Located at Km. 7 on the Nakhon Ratc- Phimai Road, 3 excavation sites provide ine who rallied local citizens to repel for- hasima-Pak Thong Chai Road, this recrea- evidence of civilisations dating back more eign invaders during the early 1800s. High- tional centre contains flower gardens, and than 3,000 years. lights include cultural displays, exhibi- traditional architecture housing a popular Pak Thong Chai Silk Village tions, folk entertainment and fireworks. restaurant. 32 kilometres south of Khorat on Highway Zoological Gardens 304, this village has long been famous for Located 13 kilometres from the provincial its hand-woven silk. A Silk and Cultural capital, on the Nakhon Ratchasima-Pak Centre in the area offers high-quality silk Thong Chai Road, this complex, more than lengths and products at reasonable prices. 200 acres in area, houses in largely natural Wat Na Phra That surroundings a wide variety of Asian mam- Located 4 kilometres from the Pak Thong mals, reptiles and birds. The zoo is open Chai District Office, this temple is note- daily from 8.00 AM until 4.30 PM. Admis- worthy for a chapel containing charming Phimai Boat Races sion is free. murals dating from the early 1800s, and an Second weekend of November metres. The provincial capital is 457 kilo- museum is open daily from 9.00 AM until These popular races occur on the Mun metres from Bangkok. Surin is best known 4.00 PM, except on Mondays, Tuesdays River near the Phimai Historical Park. Cel- for its tradition of hunting and training wild and national holidays. ebrations include boat decoration con- elephants. Elephants star in the annual Wat Ban Na Muang tests, folk entertainment and stalls selling Surin Elephant Round-Up every third This temple contains a distinctive ordina- local products. weekend in November. The province con- tion chapel made of ceramics in the shape tains two prasat hin of note, Prasat Hin of the Suphannahongse Royal Barge, the How To Get There Chon Phra and Prasat Hin Ban Palang, vessel that formerly transported H.M. the both some thirty kilometres from the pro- King during religious ceremonial in Bang- By Bus vincial capital. Villagers from Ban Khwao kok. Airconditioned coaches leave at 30-minute Sinarin and Ban Chok produce tradional Wat Nong Bua silverware largely in the form of belts, neck- intervals from Bangkok's Northeastern Located on the city outskirts, just off Km. laces, brwecelets, earrings and decorative Bus Terminal on Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road 3 on Route 212 to Amnat Charoen, the tem- items. between 4.00 AM and midnight. Non- ple is best known for a rectangular chedi airconditioned buses leave at 15-minute resembling that in India's Bodhagaya, the intervals throughout the day.. Telephone site of the Buddha's enlightenment, more 937-8055 or 936-3660 for further details. Ubon Ratchathani than 2,500 years ago. By Rail bon Ratchathani is northeast Thai- Trains leave Bangkok's Hualampong Rail- Uland's easternmost province and is way Station throughout the day for Khorat.