Tourism

Thao Suranari Monument
Erected in 1933 and located in the centre of Nakhon Ratchasima, the monument honours the Thai heroine known locally as Ya Mo. Khunying Mo, to give the lady her original title, was the wife of the assistant governor of Nakhon Ratchasima who, in 1826, rallied villagers to repel an invading army from Vientiane. After the battle, King Rama III promoted Khunying Mo with the title Thao Suranari. Every year a festival is held between 23 March and 3 April to honour her bravery, while people regularly pay homage to the 1.85 metre statue and ask for blessings.

The symbol of Korat

Chumphon Gate
Behind Thao Suranari Monument, this old city gate dates from the 17th-century reign of King Narai the Great, who commanded a strong city wall to be built. The only one of four original gates remaining (the other three are reconstructions), Chumphon Gate is constructed of stone and brick covered with plaster, and is topped by a wooden watchtower with a tiled roof and decorated in Thai style.

City Pillar
Standing at the corner of Chumphon and Prachak Roads, this Chinese-style shrine houses the City Pillar, erected in the reign of King Narai the Great (1656-1688). The inner eastern wall is covered with fired clay tiles with raised designs depicting Thao Suranari in battle and scenes of daily life in ancient times.

Wat Phra Narai
The temple, on Prachak Road, houses a sandstone statue of the Hindu God Vishnu, which is considered to be Nakhon Ratchasima’s most sacred object.

Chang Phueak Shrine
This small shrine by the northern part of the city moat at the corner of Manat and Phon Saen Roads contains a Takhian Hin tree stump, which was where the people of Phu Khiao tied elephants for inspection before presenting them to King Rama I.

Upon entering Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University, on Suranari Road, turn left at the sign to reach the wooden two-storey Khorat House. It’s a rich repository of information about the region’s history, culture and traditional way of life.
Tel: 0 4425 2158, 0 4425 3097 ext. 1216

Maha Wirawong National Museum
At Wat Sutthachinda, opposite the City Hall, the museum’s exhibits include woodcarvings, ceramics and sandstone images from the Khmer and Ayutthaya periods. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 9.00 a.m.-4.00 p.m. Closed on public holidays.
Tel: 0 4424 2958

Wat Sala Loi
In the northeast of the city, 500 metres from Rop Mueang Road, the temple is most notable for its preaching hall designed in the shape of a sailing junk, which was awarded the prize as the best avant-garde religious building from the Siam Architects Society in 1973. Enshrined here is a large standing white
Buddha image. On the front of the door is a plaster sculpture of Thao Suranari sitting and praying in the middle of a pond.

Wat Sa La Loi (picture by Orchid)

Out-Of-City Attractions

Wat Sala Thong
About 1 km. southeast of the city, this is the temple of the
Dhamayuti sect. The surrounding area was originally a dense
forest where a stone Buddha image was found in a clearing and
later covered by a temple hall. The large pagoda was built over
a smaller one that enshrines holy relics of the Lord Buddha
brought from Myanmar.

Bun Luea Memorial
Situated at Bun Luea Witthayanuson School, 12.5 km. from the town on Nakhon Ratchasima-Chaiyaphum Road, the 175 cm. bronze monument honours the heroism of Bun Luea who gave her life when, in 1826, she and others defeated invaders by throwing lighted coals into a wagon carrying gunpowder.

Prasat Hin Phanom Wan
Located 20 km. northeast of Nakhon Ratchasima, this 12thcentury sanctuary is the closest to town of the province’s major ancient Khmer monuments. Although small, the ruins are
impressive for both the architecture and the air of serenity.

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. It's about 60km from Korat. "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

Click on the picture to enlarge this craving from Phimai

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.

View point from Khao Yai (picture from Orchid)

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).

Wang Haew Waterfall in Khao Yai (picture by Orchid)

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.

Camping in Korat, and resorts

Baan Pak Sabai

They are situated in an area of natural beauty called Wang Nam Khieo, “Thailand’s little Switzerland”. They offer outstanding views of beautiful scenery, fresh clean air and quiet peaceful countryside. Chalets, a camping area and a restaurant offering fresh produce most of which is sourced locally, for reasonable prices.