Here's a small Korat guide explaining different activities that you can do in Nakhon Ratchasima.
Korat Zoo
Korat has a really nice zoo, located 13 km south of the city. Admission is cheap and you can have a great day in family, with friends or monkeys. Giraffes, lions, tigers, elephants, snakes, reptiles, bears, name it! Their official website in only in Thai. They also have a water park and the admission is included in the price.
Phimai historical park
Phimai is a United World Heritage site."The ancient city of Phimai was rectangular in shape and measured 565 x 1,030 metres. It is surrounded by a moat on all sides. The religious sanctuary is situated in the center of a modern community. It is the largest stone sanctuary in Thailand and the present structures and buildings were constructed during the 11th - 12th centuries A.D. Some structures were added during the 13th century A.D. " (Taken from www.bangkoksite.com) Tickets are 10 baht for Thai and 40 baht for foreigners. It's probably the most beautiful Khmers ruins in Thailand with Phanum Rung, near Buriram.
Phanom Wan
There is also a small archeological site, 15 km outside Korat, on the way of the new airport called "Phanom Wan". You can see some pictures here.
Khao Yai national park
This park "is so large it is included in 4 provinces; Nakorn Ratchasima (Umphur Pak Chong), Nakorn Nayok, Saraburi, and Prachin Buri. Just 15 km from Korat, this 2,000 sq km natural park features mountains covered in virgin forests and vast expanses of grasses.
Be on the lookout for wild elephants, deer, monkeys, hornbills and more. Stop at the tourist center then take a trek on one of the nature trails. With 20 waterfalls and tents for overnighters, this park is a blessing for the nature lover. Contact the National Parks Division of the Royal Forestry Department for more information." (taken from this website).
Some scenes of the movie "The beach" with Leonardo Di Caprio were filmed in a famous waterfall of this park. If you like tours, this place offers a safari (but expensive!).
Ban Prasat archeological village
"45 km north of the city is Korat's answer to Ban Chiang. Estimated to be 3,000 years old, the burial pit in Umphur Non Sung has human skeletons and red clay pottery with a distinctive "rope" design. Alloy and shell ornaments suggest it was a community from the Dvaravati period." (taken also from this website)
Now, I have been there and there is not so much to see. Have a look here. If you want, you can sleep in a family house for about 400 baht per person, dinner included. I did it. You must reserve at the tourism office near Sima Thani Hotel. It's nice, but these people don't speak English. The meal was great. Our room were nice. People were friendly.
Dan Kwian pottery village.
"Ceramics are famous for their unique look. Only 15 km from Korat in Umphur Chok Chai, once a caravan stop between Korat and Cambodia. A black bronzed clay from the Moun river creates the unique look" (taken also from this website)
Prices are ridiculous. The most beautiful shops are along the main road, even if you might be able to get better deals inside the village.
Special Events
Thao Suranari Memorial Fair
Around 23 March - 3 April
Held in honour of the heroine Khunying Mo, the fair features arts and culture, shops and exhibitions.
Phimai Festival
2nd Week of November
Highlights of the event include long boat races between teams from Phimai and neighbouring districts, cultural performances, religious processions, and a light-and-sound presentation at Phimai Historical Park.
Shopping
Best buys are earthenware products from Dan Kwian earthenware, silk and Mut Mi silk from Pak Thong Chai.
Statistics
According to theNakhon Ratchasima Manucipality website, the city of Nakhorn Ratchasima has:
48 junctions with traffic light
42 macadamized road
306 concrete road
12 concrete bridges
41 hotels
21 pretrol stations
26 car washing places
400 industrial factories
936 restaurants
15 fresh markets
32 temples
11 hospitals
2 fire station
Local products
Source: TAT
Dan Kwian Pottery
Villagers use clay from the riverbanks to make pottery and have continued doing so for many generations. Today Dan Kwian is famous as a center that produces beautiful pottery with a variety of unique designs. However, the locals still retain the original techniques of making pottery and using a type of black clay that is unique to the area.
Korat Fried Rice-Noodle (Mee Khorat)
The ingredients for this dish include rice noodles, pork or chicken, fish sauce, fermented soy bean, salt, palm sugar or brown sugar, ground peanuts, bean sprouts, an onion-like vegetable, lime, egg, vegetable oil, shallot and garlic. This is a nutritious dish which is unique to Korat and is eaten regularly, especially during lunch, and usually with papaya salad (Somtam).
Pra (Pla Ra)
The making of Pra or Pla ra begins with cleaning fresh fish, rubbing it with salt, and stuffing it into a jar topped with bamboo bracts or betel palm bracts. It has to be left for 2 months. During that time, the juice from the fish will come out and it can be filtered and kept as a seasoning. The fermented fish will be mixed with finely-ground roasted unmilled rice and kept for another 6-8 months before it is ready to be eaten. It is an ingredient in a variety of dishes and it is considered an old way of preserving food which continues to the present time.
