Nakhon Ratchasima
From Wikitravel (with some edits)
The 'Yamo Entrance'
Its proximity to Bangkok and Isaan make it a good jumping-off point for travellers who are heading into Isaan since it has excellent transport links to the rest of the country and beyond.
Understand
Hwy 2 (Bangkok to Nong Khai) runs through the city as does the northeast railway line which splits in the east of the city: one line runs up to Nong Khai and the other, to Ubon Ratchathani. And there are buses which run to just about every city in the northern, northeastern and eastern regions. You can even get buses to Vientiane in Laos and to the Cambodian border at Aranyaprathet.The city itself has a population of around 200,000 (Nai Muang district), but the entire urban sprawl of the Nakhon Ratchasima metroplitan area (Muang Nakhon Ratchasima) has a population approaching half a million. Despite the size of the city, it is not a favoured holiday destination for the average foreign traveller. Instead, visitors are more likely to base themselves in the city as they visit nearby tourist destinations such as Khao Yai national park, Phimai and Phanom Rung.
History
It was just such a Laotian attack that was defeated by local heroine Thao Suranaree in 1826. She, and her army, are credited with freeing the city from King Anouvong's Laotian forces. These exploits have lifted 'Yamo' to almost god-like status in Korat. Her statue, in the centre of the city on Ratchadamnoen Road, is the most visited attraction in the city.
The city continued to grow, helped by the arrival of the railway in the early twentieth century, and, today, is a typical Thai mix of chaos, pollution and tradition.
Climate
| Climate | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daily highs (°C) | 31 | 34 | 36 | 37 | 35 | 34 | 34 | 33 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 29 |
| Nightly lows (°C) | 18 | 21 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 18 |
| Precipitation (mm) | 6 | 18 | 37 | 64 | 141 | 108 | 114 | 146 | 222 | 143 | 27 | 18 |
Check Nakhon Ratchasima's 7 day forecast at TMD.go.th | ||||||||||||
Korat is classified as having the three tropical seasons of hot, rainy and cool (or sometimes dry). But the seasons overlap considerably, and the rainy and hot seasons occur almost simultaneously whilst the cool/dry season is quite short. In generally during November, December and January it's very dry and relatively cool, although daytime temperatures will still often exceed 30 degrees C. March, April, May and June are the four hottest months but there can be heavy rains during this time, and particularly in May. The temperatures decrease slightly each month as the area moves into the rainy season. August, September and October are the wettest months but tropical storms may be experienced any time between March and October. The downpours end as October ends: the rainfall in November is just 20% that of October.
The city - with its traffic and concrete - will be a little hotter than the rest of the province. And days in April and May can be unbearably hot amidst the urban jungle. Conversely, it can be surprisingly cool between November and January. It's not unusual for temperatures at night in the city to drop below fifteen degrees Celsius in the cool season, while out in the rural areas, single-digit temperatures aren't unknown.
Orientation
The main road into the city is Hwy 2 (Mittraphap Rd) which originates in Saraburi and terminates in Nong Khai. The Mall, Tesco Lotus and several hotels are situated next to it. Shortly after The Mall, it bears left, goes past the main bus station and on to Khon Kaen. To the north of the city it joins up with the bypass also known, somewhat confusingly, as Hwy 2.The road network within the city is, for the most part, an American-style grid system. Therefore, once you are familiar with the place, it is easy to find your way around. But if you are new in town it can be a nightmare as every road looks the same. This is particularly the case in the moated historic centre of the city.
The moat encloses the original city - almost a perfect rectangle, 1.5 km by 1 km, and consists of seven main roads that run east to west: Phonsaen, Yommarat, Atsadang, Chomphon, Mahat Thai, Supphasit, and Kamheng-Songkhram, and six main roads that run north to south: Chumphon (not to be confused with Chomphon), Jagkree, Manat, Pratchak, Kudan, and Phonlan.
The English spelling of Thai words is an inexact science so don't be surprised to see variations on these spellings in different guide books, on maps and on street signs. For example, Jagkree is sometimes spelled Chakrii; Phonsaen can be Polsan; Chomphon can be Jompol; Supphasit may have no h; Atsadang may have double s and no t; Pratchak may have no t, and so on.
To add to the confusion, the names of Jagkree Rd and Pratchak Rd change south of their intersections with Chomphon Rd: to Watchara Sarit Rd and Chai Narong Rd respectively.
The obvious geographical reference point for travellers is the statue of Thao Suranaree (or Yamo). Every tuk-tuk, motorbike taxi, songthaew and taxi driver will understand "Yamo" so you shouldn't have any problem getting there. She stands between Chumphon and Ratchadamnoen Roads. Both of these are one-way streets and from Ratchadamnoen you can catch songthaews to just about every part of the city. Ratchadamnoen ends where it meets Hwy 224. Turn left onto Highway 224 and it becomes Hwy 2 (Mittraphap) after about a kilometre. Turn right, and the 224 takes you east and then south towards Dan Kwian pottery village and Chok Chai. At Chok Chai (30 km south of the city) the 224 crosses Hwy 24 which goes to Buriram, Surin, and Ubon Ratchathani.
Three main roads lead off Ratchadamnoen: Chomsurangyat, Pho Klang and Suranaree. These are busy two-way thoroughfares and all three converge a kilometre and a half west of Yamo to form Mukmontri Rd which leads back to Hwy 2.
Get in
By car
There are three routes to take from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima.- First Route: Take Hwy 1 (Phahonyothin) passing Don Muang Airport, Wang Noi and Nong Khae till you arrive at the Saraburi interchange. At Saraburi, turn right on Hwy 2 (Mittraphap Hwy) which finally leads to Nakhon Ratchasima. The total distance of this route is 259 km.
- Second Route: This alternative route is a little longer in distance but passes some interesting places. Take Hwy 304 via Min Buri, Chachoengsao, Phanom Sarakham, Kabin Buri, Wang Nam Khiao and Pak Thong Chai to Nakhon Ratchasima. The total distance is 273 km.
- Third Route: Take Hwy 305 passing Thanyaburi, Ongkharak to Nakhon Nayok. From Nakhon Nayok, turn right onto Hwy 33 to Kabin Buri and then turn left on Hwy 304 passing Wang Nam Khiao and Pak Thong Chai to Nakhon Ratchasima.
By bus
There are two main bus stations in Korat. The new bus station is the larger of the two and is just to the north of the city centre, beyond Big C on the Korat to Khon Kaen stretch of Mittraphap Road. The old bus station is within the city centre on Burin Road between Suranaree Road and Mittraphap.So, assuming you are in Bangkok, just head to Mo Chit Northern/Northeastern Bus Terminal. No need to consult a timetable: buses leave Bangkok for Korat several times an hour 24 hours a day. Go to the top floor of the terminal building and buy your ticket at window 40, 49, 50, 52 or 53.
- Window 40 and 49 - Ratchasima Tour. Direct 24-hour service. Window 40 for the old bus station and window 49 for the new bus station.
- Window 50 - Suranaree Air. Tickets for services to either station are sold at the same window. Confusingly, there are two windows #50 at Mo Chit (50 and 50ก). The one you need is on the left of the two.
- Windows 52 and 53 - Air Korat Pattana. Window 52 for buses to the new bus station and window 53 for buses to the old bus station. It's been known for the vendor to just sell a ticket for the next departing service. If you really want to go to the old bus station ("bok kor sor gow") make sure you do buy your ticket from the vendor at window 53 and that your ticket has the number 1 on it somewhere. This denotes the old bus station whereas a 2 denotes the new. After you have purchased your ticket the vendor will point to a number on the ticket. This is the bay you must go to to catch your bus. Overhead signs will guide you there - just like following a gate number at an airport.
Other cities which run buses direct to Korat include Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Sai, Nakhon Sawan, Pattaya, Chonburi, Chantaburi, Rayong, Lopburi, Hua Hin, Hat Yai, Phuket and just about every provincial capital in Isaan. If you are coming from Cambodia, there are buses from the Poipet/Aranyaprathet border crossing. And, if you're entering from Laos, there are a couple of buses a day between Korat and Vientiane. If you're entering from Laos at the Savannakhet border crossing then you can get a bus direct from Mukdahan to Korat. All these services terminate and originate at the new bus station. The old bus station is used for some Bangkok services and shorter local routes to places such as Pak Chong and Pak Thong Chai.
If you've arrived at the new bus station, all the usual Thai means of transport are available for you to get to where you want to go. Tuk-tuks, motorcycle taxis, and meter taxis (see Get around) are in abundance in the bus station. To get a songthaew back towards the city centre take the number 15 (purple and white) which waits on the road between the two main terminal buildings at the new bus station.
Tuk-tuks and motorcycle taxis also wait at the smaller old bus station but meter taxis don't. The old bus station is walking distance from many hotels.
By train
Trains leave from Bangkok Railway Station (Huamlamphong) daily and can take anything from four to six hours depending on what type of train you catch. Twelve trains a day leave Bangkok for Korat. The times are 05:45, 06:40, 10:05, 11:40, 15:20, 18:30, 18:55, 20:00, 20:30, 21:50, 22:25 and 23:40. Fares are very reasonable for the 264 km journey. The cheapest ticket on the cheapest train is around 50 baht. There are two stations in Nakhon Ratchasima. The main station is on Mukmontri Rd about 2 km from the city centre. Tuk-tuks and motorcycle taxis at the front of the station will take you to the Yamo area for around 60 and 40 baht respectively. Catch songthaews 1 or 14 opposite the station to go toward the city centre.The other station - Thanon Chira - is more centrally located. It is just to the south of the previously described old city (see 'Orientation'). Tickets from Bangkok are just a couple of baht extra to go to Thanon Chira instead of the main station, and if you're heading for the city centre it is well worth getting off here.
By plane
No regular flight schedules are known. But private planes or charter flights can land at Nakhon Ratchasima Airport (NAK).Get out
From Nakhon Ratchasima, or Korat, you have many ways and kinds of transportation for you to go back to Bangkok or to travel more into Northeastern region.By car
- Highway 2
- Highway 304
- Highway 224
By bus
You can travel by bus to go to Bangkok and other provinces in the country. There are 2 bus terminals in Nakhon Ratchasima.- 1st Bus terminal
- 2nd Bus terminal
The price of one-way ticket from Nakhon Ratchsima to Bangkok is 220 baht. For more information, you can contact by phone, 044-254964 or 1490 (Transportation CO.LTD.)
By train
There are 2 main stations that near the city center – Nakhon Ratchasima and Thanon Jira Junction. Trains running everyday from here to Bangkok and northeastern region.- To Bangkok
- To Khon Kaen – Udon Thani – Nong Khai – Tha Na Leng (Laos)
- To Buri Ram – Surin – Sri Sraket – Ubon Ratchathani
Get around
By tuk-tuk
The three-wheeled buzzboxes are plentiful in the city. They congregate in large numbers outside shopping centres, department stores, the two bus stations and train station. And individuals will be dotted along all the busy roads.Happily, the reputation that tuk-tuk drivers have for ripping off tourists in places like Phuket and Pattaya does not generally apply in Korat. The fare from the main bus station to Yamo/city centre is 60 baht. Agree on this price before you get in. Fares typically go up in multiples of twenty and start at 40 baht.
Remember, this isn't a tourist city so your driver will not speak English. He (it's always a man) may know the names of some hotels and will understand "Yamo", but that's about it. This is a prime example of where a smattering of Thai can go a long way.
By motorbike taxi
Wherever you find tuk-tuks you will find motorbike taxis. Their fares are generally two-thirds to three-quarters those of tuk-tuks (i.e., a 60 baht tuk-tuk fare will be 40 baht on a motorbike, etc). Some riders even put up a list of fares as if to prove that they don't just make up prices. You're certainly a long way from tourist rip-off territory here.Safety is obviously a concern for a lot of travellers when it comes to motorcycle taxis. Only you can decide if you want to risk it or not but the rider should at least provide a helmet.
By taxi
Meter-taxis are a fairly new introduction to the Korat roads. They are blue and yellow in colour and scarce in number. If you are lucky enough to see one for hire on the street then you can hail it as you would a Bangkok taxi. It is 30 baht for the first kilometre and 4 baht a kilometre after that. You can call for one (044342255) but if you do that then the meter won't be used but a fixed fee will be charged for your journey. Furthermore, you can't book one in advance as you can with a minicab. You just have to call when you want one and hope that one is available. It should be added that the operator doesn't speak English so get your hotel receptionist to call.They do congregate at the main bus station and if you catch one from here then the meter should be used. Again, don't expect the driver to speak English.
By cycle rickshaw (samlor)
The traditional pedal-powered 'samlor' (literally, 'three wheels') is a large tricycle with room for - at a squeeze - two passengers who sit on a covered, padded seat behind the rider. These days there are far more tuk-tuks and motorcycle taxis than samlors but you can still find them dotted along most major roads. They come into their own during the Yamo festival (end of March/start of April) when Ratchadamnoen Road is closed and pedestrianized every evening and samlors are the only form of transport allowed. You'll notice that all samlor operators are elderly men so don't get them to take you halfway across the city! A kilometre or so is a more appropriate distance and it will only cost you twenty baht.By songthaew
Songthaews are the most popular type of public transportation. A songthaew is a pick-up truck which has been converted into a small short-hop bus. Passengers step into the back of the truck and sit on parallel benches. When you want to get off just press the buzzer and hand your fare through the passenger window to the driver.You can get on one anywhere by hailing it from the side of the road although there are official bus stops complete with signs displaying which number songthaew(s) stop there. They usually only stop when a passenger presses the buzzer or when a pedestrian hails one but there are a few locations where they will always stop such as The Mall, Klang Plaza and Big C.
Each songthaew follows a fixed route and there are around twenty different routes which cover most roads in the city. The vehicles come in a variety of colours and numbers - each denoting a different route. Most have their route number prominently displayed on a board above the window. Some start as early as 05:00 and run as late as 23:00 but generally speaking it is rare to see one before 07:00 and very rare to see one much after 21:00.
For the newcomer, using songthaews can seem quite daunting as nearly all the destinations are written in Thai (on the front and side of the vehicle) and you need to know that the songthaew you are getting on hasn't just stopped at the place where you want to go. For example, you might be waiting outside the front of The Mall wanting to go to the zoo. Along comes a songthaew with 'Korat Zoo' written on the side. You understandably jump on the back of the vehicle, however, in that situation, the songthaew is coming from the zoo and is heading into the centre of the city.
Most songthaews go back the way they came, so it is usually pretty straight forward getting back to where you departed from: just cross the road and get one going back the other way.
For the benefit of the traveller, it seems unnecessary to describe every route (you're unlikely to go day-tripping to the Suranaree Industrial Zone - incidentally, it's a number 5, white with luminous orange stripe if you do need to go there!) but there are a few routes which will be of use to the visitor. To save on complication, all routes described are based on someone catching a songthaew from Ratchadamnoen Road/in front of Yamo (unless stated otherwise).
- Number 1. To get to the main train station, catch a number one heading west on Suranaree Rd (just off Ratchadamnoen/rear of Mae Kim Heng market). Catch one outside the station to bring you into the city.
- Catch one on the corner of Chumphon and Chomphon Roads (behind the Chomphon gate) to take you all the way down Chomphon to Wat Boon Night Bazaar. Get off just as it turns left in front of the Iyara hotel. It also passes Night Bazaar 1 halfway down Chomphon.
- Number 2 (or Number 11). These go to the 'old' bus station.
- Number 4. Catch one of these from the Thanon Chira train station (see above) to the city centre/Yamo area.
- Number 6. Usually white with a red and yellow stripe, number sixes are the most common songthaews in the city. They vary in their ultimate destination but all stop at The Mall and Lotus.
- Number 7. Very important for the traveller. Number sevens go to the main bus station (bor kor sor mai). They also stop opposite Big C before they reach the bus station.
- Number 15. Catch one of these new purple and white songthaews at the main bus station to get to the city centre (Yamo area). Wait near the main exit of the bus station for one. They also go to the main bus station from the city centre; the same goes for the Number 10 (white with red and yellow stripe).
- Number 4129. These call at The Mall and Lotus on the same route as a number 6 but they go all the way to the zoo. The number is only displayed in small characters on the sides of the vehicle but they are all white with a yellow and blue stripe along the sides. Most now say Korat Zoo in English on the bodywork (see photo).
See
- Statue of Thao Suranaree. (Yamo.), Ratchadamnoen Road/Chumphon Road. (From Mittraphap Road (Highway 2) head east and turn right onto Chumphon Road just past IT City. The statue is halfway up Chumphon on the right.). Open 24 hours. The statue stands in a pedestrianized municipal area between Ratchadamnoen and Chumphon Roads. Day and night, Thais will kneel before the statue and pray before making offerings of incense and flowers (purchased for twenty baht from an adjacent hut). It's fine to take photos of the statue but take your shoes off before ascending the steps. You can also have your photo taken by one of many professional photographers who loiter around the statue. This service should cost 50 baht and your picture will be printed out there and then on a portable digital printer. FREE (20 baht for incense, candle and flower offering, 50 baht for photo).
- Maha Weerawong Museum (Maha Viravong), Ratchadamnoen Rd (from Yamo statue, walk up Ratchadamnoen, i.e., against the flow of traffic - go straight across the junction with Chomsurangyat, go straight on for another 100 m, turn right onto the lane/soi which bisects the library. The museum is behind the library.). W-Su,09:00-16:00. A small, quiet place, it contains mainly ancient Buddha statues and icons. Chairs used by several Thai Kings and Queens on their visits to Korat are among the more interesting items. The museum closes for all public holidays. 50 baht (10 baht for Thais).
- Thao Suranaree Bravery Light and Sound Performance Building, Municipal area, Chumphon Rd (from Hwy 224, turn right onto Chumphon Rd. This small, white building - which is designed to look like a section of the old city wall - is halfway up Chumphon on the right, just before the turning for Atsadang Rd). Tu-Su 09:00-18:00. A rather strange attraction, this one-room museum/art exhibit documents the story of Thao Suranaree (Yamo) through the medium of miniature models. Village and battle scenes are recreated in minute detail and run the length of one wall. On the opposite side of the room is a hugely impressive wall-mounted sculpture, in high relief, of a battle scene. Yamo is near the middle of the scene. On the walls and pillars are some of the oldest photos in existence of the city. Free.
- Wat Phra Narai Maharat, Atsadang/Chomphon Road (travel east along Atsadang, go straight across three sets of lights. The lake and temple are on your right shortly after the third set of lights. Best songtaew to get is a '''Number 1'''. Catch it on the corner of Chumphon and Chomphon roads immediately behind Yamo and the Chomphon Gate. Again, you'll go across three sets of lights - the junctions with Jagree, Manat and Pratchak Roads. The red and gold archway entrance to the temple is on your left about 100m after the Pratchak junction.). dawn til dusk. One of the most famous temples in Korat. This one is notable for its lake and island temple. Within the building is an ancient sandstone staue of the Hindu god Vishnu. You can cross the bridge and walk around the island but can not enter the building which houses Vishnu. Also, you may see huge Water Monitor lizards amongst the undergrowth or in the water. These things are as big as crocodiles, but are generally safe, and provide a surprising photo opportunity in the centre of the city.
- Wat Sala Loi Chapel shape of Chinese Junk
- Prasat Hin Phanom Wan Khmer stupa built of sandstone. From Korat City take a songthaew from Bus Terminal Number 1 get off at Ban Maka (look for a large water tower) then a motorbike taxi to the ruins.
- Khao Yai National Park Thailand first national park. Has four different provinces which includes 3,000 species of plant, 200 wild elephants, tigers, gibbons, bears, deer, bats, wild pigs, bird, and etc. the admission fee is 200 baht for adults and 100 baht for children. Lodge houses range from 1,200 baht. Youth Camps range from 10 to 20 baht. Camping rate from 5 baht with your own tent.
- Dan Kwain Nakhon Ratchasima's main ceramics centre. Famous for its rough texture and rust-like colour pottery.
- Lam Takhong Dam surrounded by shady trees
- Sai Ngam Located on the bank of the Moon River. Includes some of the largest banyan trees in Thailand. Short motorbike taxi trip from Prasat Hin Phi Mai.
- Prasat Nang Ram originally meant to be a nursing place during the 12th century in Khmer style.
- Khao Chan Ngam Cave famous for pre-historic color paintings.
- Archaeological Site At Ban Prasat Ancient bronze age artifacts in burial site that dates back 3000 years.
- Muang Sema Buddhist Temple
- Wat Ban Rai famous monastery of a well known monk, Luang Pho Khun Porisutho.
- Prasat Hin Phi Mai Stone Khmer temple complex in Phimai. Frequent buses from Korat City's Bus Terminal Number 1. Excellent museum as well.
Do
- Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo (Korat Zoo), (head south on Hwy 304 - Korat to Pak Thong Chai Rd - turn left onto Hwy 2310, the zoo is on the left after about 1 km. Easiest way for visitors to get there is by songthaew: catch the 4129 - white with yellow and blue stripe - on Ratchadamnoen Rd or heading west on Mittraphap/Hwy 2. Opposite The Mall or outside Tesco Lotus are good places to catch them. From the centre of town the charge will be 20 baht. The songthaews go right inside the zoo. Catch one from the drop-off point to go back to the city.), ☎ +66 44 934 648. Daily, 08:00-17:00. Korat Zoo is one of the biggest in Thailand and, cliché or not, it really is a great day out. The zoo, some 20 km from the city centre, is set in the Korat countryside. As such, the site is huge. The animals live in vast, sprawling natural habitats (except for the snakes) and many of them can be hand fed. Lions, tigers, elephants, bears, giraffes, zebras, chimpanzees, rhinos, cheetahs, wildebeest, alligators, antelope, and many, many more species can be found here. Bicycles can be hired to tour the zoo or you can catch the sight-seeing bus for 20 baht. Electric carts (actually, former golf buggies) can also be hired to get around the zoo at a rather pricey 300 baht per hour. The zebras, giraffes, elephants and chimpanzees can be fed with bananas - 20 baht per bunch. There are, of course, many cafes and snack shops dotted around the site. In 2009 a new water park opened. Entrance to 'Korat Zoo Lagoon' comes at no extra charge. Swimming hats are compulsory and adults may feel a little out of place in this child-friendly leisure pool. Adults 100 baht, children 50 baht (Thais 70/15 baht). 50 baht per car, 10 baht per motorbike.
- Thao Suranaree Municipal Area, Between Chumphon and Ratchadamnoen Roads (from the west (Bangkok) follow Mittraphap as it changes to Hwy 224. Turn right onto Chumphon Rd just past IT Plaza. The Municipal Area is on your right and runs the length of Chumphon Rd). Every day, 24 hrs. The Municipal Area (sometimes referred to as a park) is a long pedestrian strip sandwiched between Chumphon and Ratchadamnoen Roads. It runs nearly the full length of Chumphon Rd from the junction with Hwy 224 up to the Yamo monument. It's one of the best places in Korat for an evening stroll. Best place to start your walk is at the north end (Hwy 224) at the 'Yamo Entrance' (see main photo at the top of this article). You will pass a short section of moat - Wat Phayap is on your left - and then come to the start of the pedestrian area. Here, a raised water course follows the line of the long-gone moat and city wall. As you continue your walk you will pass the Light and Sound Performance Building on your left and, near to that, a reconstructed section of the city wall complete with explanatory plaque in English. Further up the Municipal Area you will come to an amphitheatre and, beyond, the statue of Yamo and the Chomphon Gate. Beyond here, the moat recommences.
- Nakhon Ratchasima F.C. ('SWAT Cats'), 80th Birthday Stadium, SEA Games Sports Park, Hwy 304 (go west on Hwy 2 - Mittraphap Rd - and join Hwy 304 about 1 km after the Sima Thani Hotel, s/p Pak Thong Chai, the stadium turning is on the right after about 3.5kms. Songtaew 4129, bound for the zoo, goes past the entrance to the site but this still leaves a lengthy walk to the stadium and it may be difficult to get a songthaew back after 19:00. Taxi would be best.), ☎ +66 44 289 626. Take in a local football match in Korat at one of the best stadiums in the country. The local team - Nakhon Ratchasima F.C. - play in the Northeast Division of the Regional League. The regular season runs from February to September (but play-offs may extend it). The stadium and surrounding sports facilities were purpose-built for the 2007 Southeast Asian Games 50 baht.
- The Mall - a huge shopping mall with a quite beautiful waterfall theme
- Waterslide park - has an Olympic-sized pool, great to do some laps and stay in shape
- Landscaped jogging park - near the military base
- Volunteer - Dragonfly Volunteer Projects operates out of Korat and arranges volunteering opportunities in schools and orphanages across Isaan
- Golf- all are beautiful golf courses
- Friendship Meadows Country Club- range from 600 baht for guests to 800 baht for visitors on weekdays, 400 baht more on weekends.
- Misson Hills Golf Club Khao Yai- range from 800 baht for guests and 600 baht for visitors a day.
- Rooks Korat Country Club Golf & Resort- starts at 500 baht for both guests and visitors.
- The Country Club Khao Yai- Start at 250 baht for guests and 500 baht for visitors.
- Voyage Panorama Resort and Golf Club Starts at 500 baht for guests and visitors on weekdays and 800 baht on weekends.
Festivals and events
- Phimai Boat Races Take place on the Moon River near the old Khmer city of Phimai and are held yearly by the people of Phimai during the second weekend of November. This event includes boats decorated competitions and stalls selling local products.
- Thao Suranari Commemoration. held from March 23 to April 2 to commemorate the victory of Thao Suranari. This event includes cultural displays, exhibitions, and fireworks.
- Phimai Festival. held the same time as Phimai Boat Races in Phimai historical park. This events includes light and sound presentation of Buddhist, historical, and cultural exhibitions.
- 'Miss Boonlua Memorial Commemorate Miss Boonlua and the people of Nakhon Ratchasima who died in the battle of Thung Samrit in 1826.
Buy
Nakhon Ratchasima has the usual Thai mix of modern department stores, malls and supermarkets; large covered day markets; night markets, and smaller street markets. The department stores, malls, and supermarkets are all easily reached by public transport. Some of the markets may take a bit more finding but are always well worth the effort. The sights, sounds and smells in a Thai market can make your head spin but they are a must-do if you've never experienced them before. All the modern malls are open seven days a week. Most small, independent shops are open at least six days a week and often seven. Remember, this isn't Pattaya or Bangkok, though. Most small shops close at 20:00 at the latest and roads which are busy, shopping thoroughfares by day can be almost deserted by 21:00. But don't despair; there are always the night markets!Department stores, shopping centres and supermarkets
- Klang Plaza Chomsurangyat (Klang Mai/Klang Plaza 2), corner of Ratchadamnoen and Chomsurangyat (stand in front of Yamo, facing Ratchadamnoen Rd, and look left - you can't miss it!), ☎ +66 44 260 111 (fax: +66 44 252 534). Every day, 10:00-21:00. Klang Plaza Chomsurang (or Jomsurang) Department Store was opened in 1991. This building, staggeringly huge by Korat standards, utterly dominates the downtown/city centre area. It is about 100 m from Yamo but directions are superfluous: you really can't miss it. The more useful points of interest include: a supermarket, food hall and various restaurants on the ground floor and another food hall on the fifth floor; coin-operated Internet access on the fifth floor; a kids' play area, including miniature railway on the sixth floor and an exhibition hall often used for sports events on the seventh floor.
- The Mall, Mittraphap Rd (Hwy 2) (approaching from the west (Bangkok) the Mall is on the left halfway between Tesco Lotus and the Hwy 2 and 224 intersection.), ☎ +66 44 231 000. Daily, 10:00-21:00. The Mall, part of a nationwide chain, opened around ten years ago and is a popular daytime haunt for the more affluent members of Korat society. The sprawling complex - which has just had another floor added - has all you would expect of such a place: Western restaurants (including the only McDonalds in the whole city), fashion boutiques, a supermarket, cinema, a large food hall, an outdoor swimming pool and so on. After window shopping upstairs, head down into the basement/lower-ground floor level where you will find many small independent shops and stalls selling clothes for a fraction of the price of those upstairs.
- Big C, 118 Mittraphap Rd (follow Mittraphap as it bears left shortly after The Mall, s/p Khon Kaen & Udon Thani, Big C is on the right after a couple of hundred metres), ☎ +66 44 295 050 (sgm.korat@bigc.co.th, fax: +66 44 295 030). Daily, 09:00-23:00. This large superstore (officially a 'Supercenter'!) has restaurants, banks, clothes shops, jewellery shops, and more on the ground floor and a supermarket on the first floor. As with most modern supermarkets, it sells a lot more than food and drink. Clothes, furniture, household appliances, even motorbikes can all be found on the first floor. Tuk-tuks and motorbike taxis wait outside and songthaews 7 and 15 will get you back to the city centre.
- Klang Plaza Atsadang (Klang Plaza 1), Atsadang Rd (from the west, Hwy 224, turn right onto Chumphon Rd, take the third left on Chumphon (Atsadang Rd), go straight across the intersection with Jagree Rd and it is on your right - opposite the Korat Hotel.), ☎ +66 44 244 771. Daily, 10:00-21:00. This is the original Klang Plaza, built in 1976. It was one of the biggest department stores in the northeast when it opened. It has most of the same shops and departments that its younger brother has (except for technology stores) but on a much smaller scale. Walk down the soi behind the shop and onto Chomphon Rd to catch songthaews 1,8 or 12 back to the centre/Yamo area.
- Tesco Lotus (Lotus), 719/5 Mittraphap Rd (Hwy 2) (Lotus is halfway between The Mall and the Sima Thani Hotel on Hwy 2), ☎ +66 44 263 70024 (fax: +66 44 263 7267). Daily, 06:00-23:00. The newest addition to the Korat retail landscape, Lotus is similar to Big C in that there are small shops on the ground floor and a huge hypermarket on the first floor. Songthaews 6 and 4129, among others, will get you there from the city centre. Beware! You have to cross the ten lanes of Hwy 2 to get a songthaew back to the city centre. Tuk-tuks and motorcycle taxis also wait out the front, and it's also a good place to catch a bus to Pak Chong or Pak Thong Chai if you don't want to go to the old bus station.
- IT Plaza (IT City/IT), 324 Mittraphap Rd/Hwy 224 (IT is located on Hwy 224 very near to the junctions with Chumphon and Ratchadamnoen Rds), ☎ +66 44 269 717 (fax: +66 44 269 716). Daily, 10:00-20:30. IT Plaza (sometimes mistakenly referred to as IT City; IT City is in fact a large shop within IT Plaza) is a technology-only department store in central Korat. The main entrance is on the first floor and is reached by a footbridge over Mittraphap. The ground floor is mainly taken up by mobile phone shops. The first and second floors are occupied by shops selling computers and related accessories. There is a Hot Pot restaurant in the basement/lower-ground floor. For a 21st century high-tech superstore, it's actually quite dated and tired inside with cracked and missing floor tiles; tatty, chipped walls and lots of vacant shops. In fact, the empty shops and completely unused third floor tell you that people are doing their tech shopping elsewhere these days. Indeed, everything that IT sells can be found in much nicer surroundings at The Mall or Klang Plaza Chomsurang. edit
Markets
- Mae Kim Heng Market, Pho Klang Rd (the closest market to Yamo, just turn onto Pho Klang opposite the statue of Yamo. The market is about 100 m down the road on your right. There are also entrances on Suranaree Rd and Buarong Rd.). Daily, 24 hrs (but most stalls are closed at night). One of the largest indoor markets in Korat, Mae Kim Heng sells food: both fresh produce and prepared dishes. Get there early (06:00-08:00) and you can buy some typical Thai breakfast fare: satays, grilled chicken and warm soya milk with doughnuts for dipping. Viewed from the Pho Klang entrance, the market can be divided into three main sections: fresh meat and fish on the left-hand side, fruit & veg and pre-cooked food down the middle and small restaurants down the right-hand side. At the Suranaree Rd end of the market there is a clothes section, and next to that, just where the market spills out onto the street, are two very popular "OTOP" grilled chicken and sticky rice stalls. Stalls selling fruit, veg, fish and meat then continue down the pavement on Suranaree Rd towards the junction with Ratchadamnoen Rd. These stalls set up mid-morning, and here you can experience some of the hustle and bustle missing from the main market. edit
- Night Bazaar 1, Manat Rd (travel east along Chomphon Road, go straight across the junction with Jagree Rd. The market is on your right at the next junction. It is on the stretch of Manat Rd between Chomphon and Mahat Thai Rds). Daily, 18:00-late. The Night Bazaar on Manat Rd mainly sells clothes and accessories, and a little food. It's well known throughout the city but you may be left wondering why. There's nothing on sale here that can't be found at myriad markets and stalls all over the city and it's pretty small, too. edit
- Wat Boon Night Bazaar (Night Bazaar 2), east end of Chomphon Rd between Kudan and the Phonlan Rds. (from the centre of town, catch the number 1 songthaew from the corner of Chumphon and Chomphon Rds. Stay on the songthaew until it makes a a left in front of the Iyara Hotel. You will see the market from here just across Kudan Rd.). Daily, 18:00-late. A bigger, more relaxed market than the crowded, narrow Night Bazaar 1. This one mainly sells food but has some clothing and other goods.
Eat
Budget
Never let it be said that you can't eat on a budget in Korat. The cheaper restaurants usually open during the day and can generally be divided into two groups: those which sell pre-cooked khao man gai, kwitiyao and khao moo daeng (boiled chicken & rice, noodle soup and red pork with rice), and those which have a menu and sell khao pad, pad Thai (fried rice, fried noodles) and so on. In the case of the former, you will see the cooked chickens and strips of red meat in a cabinet in front of the restaurant, and they usually just sell the aforementioned three meals. 25 baht is the going rate for one meal but you can push the boat out and pay 30 baht for a larger portion! The other type of restaurant will be able to prepare any Thai meal (within reason) and, again, 25 baht is usually the starting price. Pad krapao moo (spicy minced pork cooked with basil) and khanom chin (fresh rice noodles served with a spicy sauce and vegetables) are particularly popular in Korat. As is pad mee Korat a local, spicier variation on pad Thai. The budget restaurants listed below, therefore, offer something a little different to the khao man gai and kwitiyao eateries which abound on nearly every street.- L'Amour Cafe. Reasonable prices for quality and authentic European and Thai food, in a beautiful European-style atmosphere. The owner speaks good English.
- Cafe de Toom, 62 Chomsurangyat Rd (From Yamo, go up Ratchadamnoen Rd in the direction of Klang Plaza, turn right onto Chomsurangyat Rd, go past Klang Plaza and the post office, the restaurant is on your right next door to 7-11 just before the Chao Phaya hotel). M-F, 08:00-mid-afternoon (or whenever everything has been sold). Different from most cheap Thai restaurants, this one only sells pre-cooked curries. There are eight to ten different types on display at the front counter ready to eat. Gaeng Massaman (muslim curry) is sweet and not too spicy, and is thoroughly recommended. Price for all curries is 25-30 baht. The owner speaks good English and will whip you up a refreshing iced-tea or coffee. The board out front advertises an 'American Breakfast' for 90 baht - a concession made for the many farang staying at the nearby Chao Phaya Hotel.
- Long Tua Steakhouse (ลงตัว), Buarong Rd (from Yamo, turn left onto Suranree Rd, turn left at the first set of lights onto Buarong Rd, the restaurant is a few buildings down the road on your right directly opposite the Sri Vichai Hotel). Every day, 16:00-late. Thai-style steak and distinctive noodle soups in an informal and popular restaurant. A refreshingly small menu with just a dozen or so dishes on it (most Thai menus run to hundreds of dishes). Chicken and pork steaks are 50 baht and beef, 60 baht. French fries 39 baht. Vietnamese-style noodle soup starts at 25 baht. All food is available to take away. A very popular place to watch football on the big screen so expect big crowds on Saturday and Sunday evenings.
Drink
Sleep
| This guide uses the following price ranges for a standard double room: | |
| Budget | Under 500 baht |
| Mid-range | 500-1,500 baht |
| Splurge | Over 1,500 baht |
Budget
How low can you go? Budget hotels in Korat start at less than 200 baht, but it's fair to say you get what you pay for. These hotels will be devoid of any facilities and usually just consist of a reception desk with a flight of stairs leading to the rooms above. At less than 200 baht, the room won't have air-con or hot water. It will be very dated, poorly decorated and probably unclean. They have a reputation for being 'short time hotels' but the fact that two have recently closed down - the Potong Hotel on Ratchadamnoen Rd and the Ratchasima Hotel on Chomphon Rd - suggests that the days of 200 baht-a-night dumps may be numbered. They won't be missed.If you must, the Srisura on Suranaree Rd, the Chomphon on Pho Klang Rd, the Cathay on Ratchadamnoen Rd and the Sri Chomphon on Chomphon Rd are city-centre examples of such places.
The budget hotels listed below are a rung or two above those described above. These hotels have air-con, TV, a restaurant, and so on.
- Chumpol Hotel, Pho Klang Rd (From the Yamo statue, head down Pho Klang Rd (just across the street). The Chumpon is on the right. At night you'll see the lights of the karaoke out front.). 270 baht gets you a nice fan room. Friendly staff. Wi-Fi downstairs; the signal makes it into many of the lower floor rooms. Hot showers, even in the fan rooms. 270-500 baht.
- Far Thai Hotel, 35/37/39 Pho Klang Rd (The entrance to Pho Klang Road is immediately opposite the statue of Yamo and the Far Thai is 50m up Pho Klang on the left.), ☎ +66 44 267 3901 (fax: +66 44 252 797). Pretty basic and quite tatty. 430 baht is for a double room with air-con but rooms with a fan start from 260 baht. All rooms have a TV but none have a fridge. A small, quiet restaurant serving typically cheap Thai fare is at the rear of the ground floor. No lounge or bar. The closest hotel to the statue of Yamo since the closure of the Potong Hotel. 430 baht.
- Sansabai House, 335 Suranaree Rd. (From the Ratchadamnoen Rd end, go down Suranaree Rd, straight across the junction with Buarong Rd, past the turning for Burin Rd, the hotel is on your left, nearly opposite a 7/11 store.), ☎ +66 44 255 144 (sansabaikorat@yahoo.com). Essentially the same type of hotel as the Far Thai but much brighter and better appointed. As of April 2013, room with a fan, fridge, cable TV, free Wi-Fi, balcony, closet, small table with chairs, Western toilet and shower for 300 baht. Clean rooms, centrally located with a lot of street food stalls nearby. No bar or restaurant. 270/450/600 baht.
- Srivichai Hotel, 9-11 Buarong Rd (From Yamo, go down Ratchadamnoen Rd, turn left onto Suranaree Rd, go down Suranaree, turn left at the traffic lights onto Buarong Rd. The hotel is a couple of buildings down Buarong on your left.), ☎ +66 44 242 194 (or 241 284) (srivichaihotel@hotmail.com, fax: +66 44 267 254). A small budget hotel, the Srivichai is a rival to the nearby Chao Phaya. Quite a cosy place with a small lounge and small bar/restaurant both overlooking the street. There's a computer with Internet access (30 baht/hour) near to the reception desk. Rooms are basic but functional with air-con, fridge and TV. All rooms are the same price 500 baht (+100 baht for an extra bed).
Mid-range
- Chaophaya Inn Hotel (Chao Phaya), 62/1 Chomsurangyat Road (From Yamo, go south on Ratchadamnoen Rd, turn right at Klang Plaza Dept Store onto Chomsurangyat Rd. The hotel is a couple of hundred metres up the road on the right, shortly after the post office.), ☎ +66 44 260 544 (hotel@chaophayainn.com, fax: +66 44 258 657). A popular mid-range choice, the Chaophaya is a fairly large yet pretty basic place. Facilities are limited to a sleepy cafe (with a more popular outside dining area), room service and free Wi-Fi. The type of hotel that makes a good base for exploring the city centre but not the type of place that you're likely to spend a serious amount of time in. Walking distance from Yamo, the museum, Klang Plaza Dept Store and several visitor-friendly temples. Rooms, clean; mattresses, hard. 500-1,000 baht.
- Chomsurang Hotel (Jomsurang Hotel), 2701/1-2 Mahat Thai Rd (From Hwy 224, turn right onto Chumphon Rd, travel the entire length of Chumphon and turn left at the end of the road. You will now be able to see the hotel; a large, tall white building a few hundred metres up the road on your right), ☎ +66 44 257 0809 (info@chomsurang.com, fax: +66 44 252 897). One of the oldest hotels in Korat and one of the best in its day. That day, however, was some forty years ago. Today, it is quiet, very dated (even the promotional leaflets are fifteen years old) and completely outclassed by other hotels in the city. The fact that the room rates have been considerably reduced from those displayed on the website tells you something. But the location, adjacent to the southern entrance of Night Bazaar 1, close to several popular restaurants and ten-minutes walk from Klang Plaza and Yamo, is hard to beat. 500-1,000 baht.
- Korat Hotel, 191 Asdang Rd (within the old walled city. Tuk-tuk is 60 baht from the newer bus station.), ☎ +66 44 341 343. Breakfast is a choice of Thai or Western and is cooked to order. Hotel is dated, but clean, and hot water in the shower. Plenty of Tuk-tuks outside, and close to the night market. Small room is 600 baht with breakfast, and a larger room 750 baht.
Splurge
- Sima Thani Hotel, 2112/2 Mittraphap Rd (from the west (Bangkok) the Sima Thani is on the left just after you cross the railway line flyover. It's a huge, prominent building; you can't miss it.), ☎ +66 44 213 100 (sale@simathani.com, fax: +66 44 213 121). A former Sheraton hotel, the Sima Thani is the most famous and biggest (265 rooms) hotel in Korat, it's also one of the most expensive. It's more traditional luxury than the V-One's modern funk. It has all the facilities you would expect from a luxury hotel and is a favoured destination for any celebrities who happen to be in town. But its location, a couple of kilometres west of the city centre, isn't great for night owls. 1,400-15,000 baht.
- Dusit Princess Korat (The Royal Princess (former name)), 1137 Suranarai Rd (Hwy 205) (From the west (Bangkok) follow Hwy 2 then Hwy 224 through the city. Turn left onto Hwy 205 (s/p Phimai,Chaiyaphum). The hotel is on your left after approx 1.5 km.), ☎ +66 44 256 629 (fax: +66 44 256 601). A Sima Thani rival, the Dusit Princess is part of the Dusit International group. Facilities are as you would expect from a luxury hotel and there is a limousine service which can collect you from Suvarnabhumi airport (9,000 baht!) Like the Sima Thani, it suffers from a location adjacent to a main highway and is several kilometres from the city centre. Website claims it is 3.5 km from the train station and 2 km from the bus station are bold to say the least. 1,600-4,700 baht.
- Hermitage Hotel (Hermitage Resort), 725/2, Hwy 224 (follow Hwy 2 then 224 through Korat, the hotel is on your left, set back from the road, just after you have come over the railway line flyover; difficult to get to and from if you do not have a car, buses bound for the Cambodian border at Aranyaprathet stop in front of the hotel), ☎ +66 (0) 44 247444 (info@hermitagethailand.com, fax: +66 44 247463). A 139-room hotel in the southeast of the city. Surrounded by gardens and lakes. A pool, gym and sauna are among the facilities and it comes with a reputation for good food. 1,600-6,000 baht.
- V-One Hotel, 666/6 Chang Pheuak Rd (from the west (Bangkok) follow Hwy 2 past Lotus and The Mall. Bear left on Hwy 2 past Big C and the 'new' bus station. Turn right onto Chang Pheuak Rd in front of the Pegasus Hotel. V-One is a few hundred metres down Chang Pheuak on the left.), ☎ +66 44 342 444 (reservation@v-onehotelkorat.com, fax: +66 44 342 400). The V-One is a self-styled trendy, boutique hotel. Certainly, its modern, colourful decor and 21st century facilities mark it out as quite different from any other hotel in the city. You have to pay for it, though. It does have 'Brother' and 'Sister' hotels - smaller buildings adjacent to the main building. The rooms in these are smaller and cheaper than the quoted figures. The road the hotel is situated on is one of the better for night life by Korat standards. The V-One also benefits from being close to Hwy 2 and the main bus station. 3,060 baht (1,836) - 11,299 baht (6,780) Figure in parentheses is the Internet booking rate (40% off).
Contact
Internet cafés are plentiful and typically charge around 10 baht per hour or 25 baht for three hours.Get out
- Khao Yai National Park — largest national park of Thailand with fascinating animals, waterfalls and more
- Phimai — the historical Khmer remains
- Preah Vihear — amazing temple right on the border with Cambodia, no separate visa necessary to visit
- Surin — the annual elephant parade
