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| Nakhon Ratchasima | ||
| province | Nakhon Ratchasima | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 134.440 (2014) | |
| height | unknown | |
no value for height on Wikidata:  | ||
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
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Nakhon Ratchasima(Thai: นครราชสีมา), colloquial mostly Korat called, is the capital of the homonymous province in Northeast Thailand.
background
For a long time Nakhon Ratchasima was located on the border between the Siamese empires and that of Angkor from ruled Khmer empire. Several times it was conquered, sometimes by one side, sometimes by the other. It has only been under Siamese / Thai rule permanently since 1756. It is known as the "gateway to the Isan" and is one of the largest and most economically important cities in the northeast region. However, the culture is still more central to Thailand. So the Isan dialect is neither spoken nor cooked according to the typical Isan cuisine.
getting there
By plane
Nakhon Ratchasima has a regional airport, but (as of November 2015) no scheduled connections are offered. The major Bangkok airports are probably too close to be worth it. The international Suvarnabhumi Airport is 260 km away (on the road 3–4 hours). The regional airports in are a little closer Buri Ram (160 km; 2–2½ hours) and Khon Kaen (200 km; 2½ hours).
By train
The city's train station is an important junction on the northeast line of the Thai railroad. There are ten connections a day from / to Bangkok, the fastest takes 4:15 hours according to the schedule. In the other direction it either goes over Buri Ram and Surin to Ubon Ratchathani or over Khon Kaen and Udon Thani to Nong Khai. Current timetable and prices
By bus
From Bangkok's northern bus station Mo Chit there are long-distance buses to Nakhon Ratchasima in quick succession (several per hour). They take just under four hours and cost - depending on the car class - 171 or 220 THB. There are also direct connections to practically all provincial capitals in the Isan region and from / to northern Thailand (Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nakhon Sawan, Phitsanulok; Nakhonchai tour), Eastern Thailand (Chon Buri, Pattaya, Rayong, Chanthaburi; Sri Mongkol, Wisavakolsana or Nakhon Chai) and southern Thailand (Hua Hin, Has yai, Phuket; Piya Tour or Shinnakeart Korat) and the Burmese (Mae Sai) and Cambodian border (Aranyaprathet).
In the street
Well-developed highways (National Road 2 - "Road of Friendship") connect Korat with Bangkok (travel time 3 to 4 hours) and Khon Kaen (2½ to 3 hours).
mobility
Tourist Attractions
- Statue of Thao Suranari (Khun Ying Mo). The monument commemorates the local heroine who died during the reign of King Ramas III. Was the wife of the governor of Korat. In 1826 she is said to have played a decisive role in repelling an invasion of Laotian troops under King Anuvong; Erected in 1934, the statue houses the ashes of the woman, who is highly venerated by the local population. Background in Wikipedia article.
- Wat Sala Loi. The Buddhist temple complex on the banks of the Maenam Thakhong, built in the style of a Chinese junk.
- Wat Payap. Newly built temple complex in the old Ayutthaya style with a Buddhist wheel (Dharmachakra) made of sandstone and a pagoda with five roofs in Chinese style.
- Sao Lak Mueang. Shrine for the veneration of the "navel of the city" and assumed seat of the city spirits.
- Fortress and city gate. The rebuilt gate Pratu Chumphon and the moats (with fountains and other water features) give a good impression of the former facility, which encompassed an urban area of 1.7 km x 1.5 km.
- Ban Kho (with Prasat Hin Wat Phanom Wan). Khmer ruins, built before the 10th century; Located just outside the city (approx. 18 km east of the center).
activities
shop
- The Mall Nakhon Ratchasima. Largest shopping center in the northeast region.
- 1 Terminal 21 Korat (เท อ ร์ มิ นั ล 21 โคราช)
kitchen
nightlife
accommodation
Practical advice
| prefix | 044 |
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trips
- Wat Prasat Hin Non Ku. Noteworthy Khmer temple, which is laid out on a square terrace, with sculptures from the 10th century; approx. 37 km to the west.
- 1 Phimai Historical Park (อุทยาน ประวัติศาสตร์ พิมาย).Important and well-preserved ruined city from the Angkor era (11th / 12th centuries), approx. 60 km northeast.
