Nakhon Ratchasima , or “Khorat,” is a large province on the northeastern plateau and is like the gateway to other provinces in the Northeast. It is 259 kilometres from Bangkok and has an area of around 20,494 square kilometres. The province is rich in Khmer culture and has a long history. It is famous for the highly revered Khun Ying Mo (Ya Mo) statue in the middle of town. It also has beautiful nature, with many forests, mountains, waterfalls, and reservoirs. Furthermore, it is well known for a variety of quality handicrafts that visitors can choose from, particularly the popular clay pottery products of Dan Kwian.         Nakhon Ratchasima used to be the site of several ancient prehistoric communities that continued to grow when the Dvaravati culture came in and later when the Khmer culture replaced it. An important prehistoric site is Ban Prasat. Traces of Dvaravati and Khmer cultures are scattered throughout the province, particularly at Amphoe Sung Noen and Amphoe Phimai. Nakhon Ratchasima has been a key city since ancient times as an administration centre. It was responsible for many northeastern cities in the past. Even now, its status has remained unchanged in that it is the Northeast’s main transportation hub and economic centre. Boundary         North borders Chaiyaphum and Khon Kaen         South borders Nakhon Nayok and Prachin Buri         East borders Buri Ram         West borders Chaiyaphum and Saraburi

Thao Suranari Monument built in memory of Khunying Mo, a woman who successfully defended the city against Laotian invaders in 1826 while her husband, Khorat’s deputy governor, was in Bangkok. Fondly called ‘Ya Mo’ (Grandmother Mo), she was given the title of Thao Suranari (Brave Lady). Built in 1934, the monument shows her standing with one hand on her hip and the other holding a sword pointed down. Locals adorned the base of the tall pedestal, on which she stands, with garlands and offerings daily.

Pratu Chum Phon is behind the monument. It is an old city gate built during the reign of King Narai the Great in 1656. The king commanded that a strong city wall be built. Engineers from France, then an ally of the country, designed the city plan. Nakhon Ratchasima at that time was an outpost in the shape of a rectangle of 1,000 x 1,700 metres. The western Chum Phon Gate is the only 1 of 4 city gates that still stands. The other three gates have been rebuilt. Chum Phon Gate is built of large stones and bricks and covered with plaster. The top is a watchtower made of wood with a tiled roof and decorated in the Thai style.

Khao Yai National Park has an area of about 2,168 square kilometres in the Phanom Dong Rak mountain range. It expands over the 4 provinces of Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Nayok, Saraburi, and Prachin Buri. In the past when there were no roads through the area, Khao Yai was regarded among travellers as a wild and dangerous place. The jungle here divides the Central Region and the Northeast. Khao Yai became Thailand’s first national park on 18th September 1962 and is an ASEAN World Heritage because of its variety of flora and fauna.           The general terrain of Khao Yai National Park consists of mixed forests and rainforests. Some parts have wide plains interspersed with verdant forests. There are many valuable plants, including plants that are traded, scented plants and herbs. There are several mountains, with peaks ranging from 800-3,000 metres above sea level. Due to its altitude and the lush jungles here, Khao Yai has a cool climate even in summer, with an average temperature of 23 degrees Celsius. Khao Yai gets the most visitors in the cool season from October to February. In the rainy season, trekking is not as convenient, but the area is refreshingly green and all the waterfalls are full of water, sending echoes all around and creating a lively atmosphere for visitors.           Wild animals that can be frequently seen include deer that graze on grass plains and sometimes come to feed around the park office. Other animals are elephants, sun bears, wild boars, monkeys, tigers, gaurs, and mountain goats. The park built 2 wildlife watchtowers at Mo Singto and Nong Phak Chi . Visitors are allowed up there during 8 a.m.- 6 p.m. Those who want to go on a night safari by car can contact the park office before 6 p.m.           Khao Yai is also suitable for butterfly and bird watching. Surveys found that there are over 200 species of birds here that use Khao Yai as a feeding ground and as a permanent home.           Jungle Trekking - There are more than 20 trails to choose from, each different in natural beauty and distance. Some trails take 1-2 hours to complete like the Kong Kaeo trail and the Km. 33 trail (Thanarat Road-Nong Phak Chi). Some trails require overnight stays like the Nang Rong-Khao Yai trail, Samo Pun trail or Kho Yo 4 Unit-Wang Heo waterfall trail. Information and guides can be obtained from the tourist service centre.

Lam Takhong Dam is at Tambon Lat Bua Khao, around 62 kilometres from the city. A road branches off Highway No. 2 (Nakhon Ratchasima-Saraburi) at the 196-197-km markers and drive for about 2 kilometres. The dam is an earth-filled dam across the Lam Takhong River that flows through a crevasse. Built in 1974, its primary purpose was to divert water from above the dam for irrigation. Visitors can walk on the dam to enjoy the view of the reservoir with a beautiful background of mountains. The dam is suitable for relaxation when it is not hot. It is open during 6 a.m.-6 p.m.

Dan Kwian Earthenware Village is 15 kilometres from the city on Highway No. 224 (Nakhon Ratchasima-Chok Chai). The area used to be a rest area for caravans trading between Khorat and Cambodia. The Mun River flows through it. Villagers use clay from the riverbanks to make pottery and have continued doing so for many generations. Nowadays Dan Kwian is famous as a centre that produces beautiful pottery that has a variety of strange designs. However, the locals still retain the original techniques of making pottery and using a type of black clay that is the identity of the area.

Phimai National Museum at the base of Tha Songkran bridge just before Phimai sanctuary. From Nakhon Ratchasima, take Highway No. 2 for 50 kilometres, then go on Highway No. 206 for 10 kilometres. If taking a bus from Nakhon Ratchasima, you can get on at Bus Terminal 2 in the city.           The museum collects archaeological artefacts and has exhibits on the past cultural prosperity of the Northeast, especially artefacts found in the lower part of the region. There are several sections, including local Isan culture and daily utensils like mortars, cotton chests, carts, monk items, and an area that recounts the history of Phimai and lintels from sanctuaries in Nakhon Ratchasima and the Northeast. Moreover, there are prehistoric artefacts such as ancient pottery, skeletons, tools, and bronze and stone ornaments. Items from early history are Dvaravati-style temple boundary markers and Khmer-style items like columns and parts of buildings, as well as sculptures like Buddha images, god figures and a figure of King Chaiworaman VII made of sandstone found at Phrommathat pagoda in Phimai sanctuary. The second floor is devoted to the past cultural glory of the Northeast, early Isan communities and Khmer cultural influence. The museum is open daily from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The entry fee is 30 baht. For information, call 0-4447-1167.