Tourism

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. Recently, they introduced a NIGHT SAFARI. YOu will find English information here or there or even from Korat Magazine.

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.

Computer restauration of Phimai(incredible website)
Prasat Hin Phimai
Another website of Phimai
From Korat Magazine
And another site but really good information here.
Phimai National Museum Website

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. Google Earth

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)

To get good prices, you must ENTER the village and not buy on the main road. Prices are ridiculous but I don't want a ceramic small dwarf in my garden!

Another English website about this village, from Korat city and finally Korat Magazine.
Google Earth

PHANOM RUNG (near Buriram)

Have a look at the wonderful 3D virtual tours of some Khmer ruins near Buriram.