Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat) Attractions Travel Guide

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Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat) is a large province which is steeped in history, especially that which relates to the Khmer kingdom. As a result there are numerous sites covering all aspects of Khmer culture. [more]

Ban Prasat Archaeological Site The Ban Prasat site is believed to be an agricultural community of prehistoric period in the southern part of the present Northeast Thailand. It is presumed that this area has continuously been inhabited during the past 3,000 years up to present.... read more. Dan Kwian A Must-bring-home souvenir for all visitors to Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat) is Dan Kwian pottery and earthenware. The villagers of Dan Kwian have long carried their fame for making unique-style pottery from black clay.... read more. Maha Weerawong National Museum Location: Khorat City Center Maha Weerawong National Museum opposite to the City Hall of Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat), exhibits various arts objects and artifacts donated by Somdet Maha Weerawong, a highranking Buddhist monk.... read more. Pak Thongchai Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat) and the whole Isaan region are famous for its cottage silk industry, particularly that of mudmee or ikat, the tie-dyed designs using natural colors.... read more. Phanom Wan Prasat Hin Phanom Wan was constructed in the 12th century. It's Khmer style architecture resembles Prasat Hin Phimai but in a smaller scale. According to the inscriptions found at the site the sanctuary was used in the Hindu religion and later became a Buddhist site.... read more. Phra Non Sema Location: Khorat City Center Phra Non Sema, located 4 kilometers from Amphoe Sung Noen, is a Reclining Buddha image made of red sand stone which is the most ancient and largest in Thailand. The image is assumed to have been built around 1200 B.E.... read more. Prasat Hin Phimai Location: Khorat City Center A United Nations World Heritage site, Phimai is the site of a walled complex of reconstructed temples, libraries and ancillary structures, one of the most important Khmer monuments in Thailand.... read more. Prasat Nang Ram Prasat Nang Ram, around 80 kilomneters from Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat), was built in Khmer style during the 12th century to be a nursing place and hospital (Arokhayasan) during the reign of Jayavarman VII, the last great king of the ancient Khmer (1121-1220 AD). Prasat Nang Ram was under the auspices of the Bu... read more. Wat Khao Phanom Rung Phanom Rung, about 120 kilometers from Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat) is arguable the nicest and most impressive of all Khmer monuments in Thailand, possibly even more dramatic than Phimai because of the long steps leading up to it. It was constructed on the top of an extinct volcano and theref... read more. Wat Phra Narai Maharaj Location: Khorat City Center Wat Phra Narai Maharaj is a historically very important Buddhist temple or Wat in Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat).... read more.

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Khorat province is rich in nature with forests, mountains, waterfalls and reservoirs. The province also supports traditional ways of life, especially well reflected at Dan Kwian -- a traditional community based around the production of clay pottery products and in Pak Thongchai -- a silk weaving village.

Nakhon Ratchasima's museums are excellent, housing findings from a variety of archaeological digs that bear witness to the region's pre-history and the Daravati and Khmer cultures that strongly influenced it. Attractions in the area include Khao Yai National Park - an especially good park protecting birds and animals (tigers, elephants, etc.) and Prasat Hin Phimai National Historical Park.

Dan Kwian Ceramics Centre

Known as the 'land of ceramics', Dan Kwian is Nakhon Ratchasima's main ceramics centre. Previously an area where bull-carts would stop on their way to nearby Khorat, generations of Dan Kwian residents have been involved in making the local pottery which is famed for a rough texture and a rust-like colour. The geographic particularities of this district mean that it is the only place in the country this type of pottery is produced.

Aside from the usual bowls and dishes, the pottery is shaped in a variety of everyday implements such as utensils and tools. As interest in the area's pottery has grown, more 'artistic' items have been produced - jewelry, chimes, figurines and vases are all now firmly on the craftsmen's menu. The pottery is not just here for tourists, the international sales of the craftsmen's work plays an important contribution to the local economy. Virtually everywhere you go ceramics are on sale.

Demonstrations of the potters' art can be arranged for a small contribution. There are also displays of the bull-carts from around the country that stopped at the site in days gone by. A trip to the Moon River on the east of the village is also worthwhile while you are here.

How to get there: Dan Kwian is in Tambol Dan Kwian of Chokchai District on Route No.224, 15 kilometres south-east of Khorat. The best way to get there is by Songtaew from Khorat's south or east city gates.

Read more about the Dan Kwian Pottery Village...

Khao Yai National Park

Thailand's first National Park is also its second largest, and certainly one of its best. Khao Yai National Park spreads to four different provinces with the bulk of its 2,100 square kilometers in Nakhon Ratchasima.

The park has a variety of terrains from deciduous forest to savannah and houses some 3,000 species of plants. Wildlife in the park is as varied as its terrain and it is home to around 200 wild elephants. The park also houses tigers, gibbons, bears, deer, bats, wild pigs, and a major bird population including a wide variety of hornbills.

Read more about the Khao Yai National Park...

Prasat Hin Phimai National Historical Park

At the height of the Khmer era Nakhon Ratchasima was an important route into the Khmer kingdom. This fact is reflected by Prasat Hin Phimai National Historical Park.

Parts of the park are actually older than Angkor Wat in Cambodia. It features a huge Angkor white sandstone shrine (around 30 metres tall) which is surrounded by smaller pink-coloured shrines. The park also houses Thailand's largest number of Khmer buildings. Four gateways are visible in the compound and there are a number of sculptures leading to the shrine.

The site is currently being restored to its former glory, but as it stands it is still very impressive - aside from Angkor Wat, Prasat Hin Phimai National Historical Park offers some of the best examples of Khmer architecture. The park also has a modern museum with a small gift shop and restaurant where some of its more precious artifacts are shown.

Read more about the Prasat Hin Phimai National Historical Park...

Nakhon Ratchasima attractions map

For a full map of all Nakhon ERatchasima (Khorat) attrations and sightseeing opportunities, please click here.

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