Nakhon Ratchasima นครราชสีมา (Khorat โคราช )

Nakhon Ratchasima
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Non-Sung-30160-Thailand-Main-Road_2.JPG
Talkrabb


Nakhon Ratchasima นครราชสีมา , popularly known as Khorat โคราช ), is the biggest city in the Isaan region in eastern Thailand. It is also the district capital and provincial capital of Nakhon Ratchasima Province. The city has a population of 146,000 people.

Thao Suranaree statue, Nakhon Ratchasima
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Thao_Suranaree_statue.jpg
Ahoerstemeier


Nakhon Ratchasima was originally two separate cities namely Khorakhapura (also called Nakhon Raj) and Sema. Being on the east part of Thailand near the border with Cambodia, the city was part of the greater Khmer empire until the 14th century.

The present city of Nakhon Ratchasima, whose name is a portmanteau of Nakhon Raj and Sema, was established by King Narai (1656-88) as the eastern frontier of his kingdom centred on Ayutthaya. Nakhon Ratchasima developed into a powerful city. After the fall of Ayutthaya, it acted as the frontier centre overseeing vassal kingdoms of Laos and the Khmers.

In more recent history, Nakhon Ratchasima was the base of the October 1933 uprising against the 1932 Revolution that ended the absolute monarchy of Siam. It was also used as a United States military base during the Vietnam War.

The city has little to offer tourists. Nonetheless there are a few sights that you might want to visit. Outside the city, however, is Prasat Hin Phimai, one of the most important ancient Khmer ruin outside Cambodia.

Prasat Hin Phimai
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Phimai-pano-3.jpg
Ddalbiez

Travel to Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat)

There are many buses between Bangkok and Khorat. The companies selling tickets to Khorat are at counter 49, 50 and 52 on the top floor of the terminal. The fare is around ฿200 one way.

Alternatively, you can take a train to Khorat from Hualamphong Railway Station. The first class ticket costs ฿230 while the second class costs ฿115.

Travel within Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat)

The most ubiquitous form of transportation in Khorat are the tuk-tuks and motorcycle taxis. Another form of transport are the songthaews, or passenger pick-up trucks. The name "songthaew" actually means "two benches" - which are self explanatory as soon as you climb on board. Songthaews usually follow specific numbered routes like mini buses. A ride anywhere in town by tuk-tuk will cost you ฿50-100 while a ride on the motorcycle taxis will be around ฿40. If you find a reliable driver, negotiate to use him for the whole day.

Places of Interest in Nakhon Ratchasima

Sights outside Khorat

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Dear visitor, thank you so much for reading this page. My name is Timothy Tye and my hobby is to find out about places, write about them and share the information with you on this website. I have been writing this site since 5 January 2003. Originally (from 2003 until 2009, the site was called AsiaExplorers. I changed the name to Penang Travel Tips in 2009, even though I describe more than just Penang but everywhere I go (I often need to tell people that "Penang Travel Tips" is not just information about Penang, but information written in Penang), especially places in Malaysia and Singapore, and in all the years since 2003, I have described over 20,000 places.

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