Attractions
Korat Fossil Museum
Korat Fossil Museum is located at Baan Kroke Duen Ha, Suranaree Sub-district, Muang Nakhon Ratchasima District, Nakhon Ratchasima. It lies on 320 acres land. The museum was officially open on October 29th, 2008. Queen Sirindhorn was the president of an opening ceremony. The museum is the very first fossil museum of Thailand. And, it is the one out of seven fossil museum in the world. The museum has been separated into three zones as follows:
- Korat Fossil Museum contains fossils which are 800,000 – 330 million years old and diamond fossils.
- Ancient Elephant Museum exhibits fossils of ancient elephants in variety breeds.
- Dinosaur Museum exhibits dinosaur body organs for both omnivore and carnivore dinosaurs.
The Memorial Monument of Thao Suranari (Lady Mo)
When Thao Suranari died in 2395 B.B. when she was 81 years old, Chao Phraya Mahitsarathibodee who was her husband conducted her funeral, then he built the Chedi to enshire her relics at Salaloi Temple built by Thao Suranari. Later, the chedi got ruined, Major General Phraya Singhasani (Sa-ard Singhasani), when he was Phraya Prasithisalakarn, intendency official government, acted as the regency of Nakorn Ratchasima, Privy Councillor, Minister donated money for a small hall foundation to enshrine the relics of Thao Suranari at Klang Temple (Narai Maharach Temple), the temple was completely built on the 7th June, 2442 B.E.
Later, the hall also got ruined, accompanying with the fact that it was built in the narrow area that did not appropriate for her prestige. Phraya Kamthornpayaptis (Dis Intharasoros), who was the governor of Nakhon Ratchasima, Colonel Phra Reang Rukkapajjamitra (Thong Raksangob), Commander of provincial army officers together with official government and the Nakorn Ratchasima people built the memorial monument of Thao Suranari with bronze, in that case, the Fine Arts Department was appointed Professor Silpa Bhirasri as the designer together with Phra Thevabhinimmitra (Chai Tiemsilapachai). It became the famous sculpture of the period of Field Marshal P. Pibulsonggram.
The relics of Thao Suranari was enshrined at the basement and placed at the front of the Chumphon door. The monument was molded with bronze which is 1.85 meters high and 325 kilograms weight. It is on the Paitee base with square base reducing the size of an angle to twelve angles. The sculpture is dressed with the uniform bestowed on her, in the attitude of standing with right hand holding sword with its tail pointing to the floor and the left hand placed on her waist. Her face turns to the West which is the location of Bangkok. It is considered as the first memorial monument of female common person of Thailand. It was built sine 2476 B.E. and was held the opening ceremony on the 29th November, 2510.
In the ceremony, memorial coins were built by Somdet Maha Veerawong (Tisso Auan) was the presiding monk and the clergy of the Abbot Mun-the Abbot Sao attended in the incantation at Suthachida Temple. The Nakhon Ratchasima people love and highly value the coin so much because they believe that they are the coin of victory for dignity of country and praise Thao Suranari who is an eternal heroine. The Fine Arts Department announced the monument as the archeological site of the nation on the 3rd January, 2480 B.E. In 2510 B.E., the basement of the monument was ruined, the official government and the Nakhon Ratchasima people and Mr.Sawadiwong Patithat, who was the governor at that time, was the presiding over the basement building ceremony. The new basement was built replacing the old one on the 29th November 2510 B.E. when it was completely built.
Save One Night Market
Save One night market is the biggest market in Korat. The name comes from the previous shopping center, a place called Sehf Wan, distorted in English into the current Save One.
You can probably find almost anything there: new stuff, second hand stuff, antique, tools, plants, animals, clothes, copies of perfume or wallets, hand bags, etc.
People usually arrive at 6pm and it closes around 10pm, open 7 days a week. This market is much better, cleaner and bigger since 2008.
Dan Kwian Pottery OTOP Village
Situated on the Highway No.24 or 14 kilometers from the city of Nakhon Ratchasima, Dan Kwian Pottery Village is noted for its unique pottery products which are widely used for interior and outdoor decoration. The uniqueness of Dan Kwian clay is its durability, pliability and rusty color, especially when it is combined with attractive designs. Opening hours: Daily 08.30 – 16.30
Phimai National Museum
The museum houses collections of archaeological artifacts especially those found in the lower part of the region and has exhibits on the past cultural prosperity of the Northeast. There are several sections as follows:
1. Local Northeastern Culture
Daily utensils like mortars, cotton chests, carts and monk items lintels from sanctuaries in Nakhon Ratchasima and the Northeast prehistoric artifacts such as ancient pottery, skeletons, tools, and bronze and stone ornaments.
2. The History of Phimai
Early history that includes 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.
3. The second floor is devoted to the past cultural glory of the Northeast, early Northeastern communities and Khmer cultural influence.
Phimai Historical Park
Phimai historical park is the largest of all Khmer temples in Thailand, the rectangular complex measures over 1,000 meters long by almost 600 meters wide. It contains some of the finest examples of Khmer architecture in Thailand.
What makes this temple unique is that is constructed as a Buddhist temple, even though the Khmer who built it were Hindu.
Phimai, which is officially named Prasat Hin Phimai was built during the 11th and 12th century, during which time the area was part of the Khmer empire. It was constructed on the end of the ancient highway connecting it with Angkor (present day Siem Reap), with other Khmer temples like Muang Tum and Phanom Rung in between.
Judging from the style of the temple which resembles Angkor Wat in Cambodia and the size of the complex, Phimai must have been an important temple in its days. Where usually Khmer temples face East, Phimai is oriented towards the South East, in the direction of Angkor in Cambodia.
Sai Ngam Giant Banyan Tree Groove, Phimai
The Sai Ngam giant banyan tree grove is one of Thailand’s spookier attractions. It feels like the setting for a twisted horror film where the trees come alive and strangle unsuspecting passersby, and locals believe that potent terrestrial spirits dwell here. For photographers, or anyone who appreciates the eerie, Sai Ngam makes a visit to Phimai all the more worthwhile.
The banyan tree in Phimai is over 350 years old. The old tree has spread out laterally using its arial roots and now covers an area of about 35,000 square feet/3250 square metres. The aerial roots of the banyan tree have grown down into the soil to prop up the plant and those roots have turned into hard, woody stems that look like tree trunks.
Next to the banyan tree there is a large pond with fish in it. At the nearby stalls, you can buy fish food to feed the fish or you can buy small fishes to release into the pond.
There is also a restaurant area where you can relax, eat some food or drink something.
Wat Sala Loi
Located in the northeast of the city, Wat Sala Loi is built by the Khorat heroine Thao Suranari and her husband in 1827. Awarded by the Siam Architects Society for the best avant-garde religious building in 1973, Wat Sala Loiโ€s highlight is the meeting hall which is applied Thai style in the shape of a boat riding the waves. Decorated with locan Dan Kwian clay tiles to tell the life of Buddha on the wall, the door is also made of metal. Inside the hall there is a large statue of Buddha. The exterior is fulfilled with a plaster sculpture of Thao Suranari sitting praying in the middle of a pond, plus with a small pagoda that contains the ash of her. To reach the destination, WatSalaLoi is situated 500 meters from Rop Mueang Road. Opening hours: Daily 08.30 – 16.30
Wat Luang Phor Toh, Sikhio
Wat Luang Phor Toh, is a modern and very popular Buddhist temple in Sikhio town, Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat), about 30 min driving from Korat city on Highway 24.
Sorapong Chatree who is a very famous Thai film actor, funded the purchase of the land and construction of the temple which is also funded in the form of donations from the devotees. After donations a monk with a microphone name the donors and the amount contributed by each.
This spectacular temple is surrounded by beautiful gardens with exotic trees, bonsai, flowers, ponds and an artificial lake with a bridge crossing to the main building. Inside this large temple with several buildings and multi-tiered roofs, there is a impressive and huge golden statue representing the revered monk Somdej Toh, which is located under a beautiful golden dome in the main building.
As a place of worship, Wat Luang Phor Toh was built in memory of the Somdet Phra Phutthachan (Somdej Toh), one of the most famous Buddhist monks during the Rattanakosin Period, and after many years it’s still under construction.
Ban Rai Temple (Wat Ban Rai)
Wat Ban Rai is one of the famous temples in Nakhon Ratchasima and recognized as the residence of the noble monk Luang Pho Khun.
Originally, Wat Ban Rai was a small monastery, then Luang Pho Khun who was widely respected in the province developed it and became the big and well-kwon temple until now. Even though Luang Pho Khun passed away, Wat Ban Rai is always one of tourist’s destinations in Nakhon Ratchasima.
Interesting buildings in the temple
1. The chapel is beautifully decorated with enameled tiles.
2. Hor Thep Wittayakom is the elephant-liked ceramic shrine in the center of water. On the roof top are the statue of walking Buddha and the statue of Luang Pho Khun. Around the building depicts Buddhism’s sacred texts. The shrine is Asia’s largest ceramic mosaic shrine with more than 20 million pieces of mosaic.
3. The museum of Luang Pho Khun exhibits the life and background of Luang Pho Khun.
4. The statues of 7-headed Nagas are situated in the center of water decorated with around 900,000 pieces of mosaic.
Khao Yai National Park
Established in 1962 as Thailand’s first national park, it is the third largest national park in Thailand. Situated mainly in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Khao Yai extends into Prachinburi, Saraburi and Nakhon Nayok provinces. Khao Yai is just 3 hours away from Bangkok.
The park covers an area of 2,168 square kilometres, including rain/evergreen forests and grasslands. 1,351 m high Khao Rom is the highest mountain within the park. The average altitude of the national park ranges from 400 to 1000 m above the sea level.
Khao Yai is part of Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex, a World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO, covering 5 protected areas from Khao Yai to Cambodian border. The other protected areas are; Pang Sida National Park, Thap Lan National Park, Ta Phraya National Park and Dong Yai Wildlife Sanctuary.
The park is a very popular destination for both foreign and local tourists, it can be very busy on the week-ends and extremely busy on some holidays. The main entrance is at north with nearest city Pak Chong in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, the second entrance is at south in Nakhon Nayok province. The entrance fee is 400 THB for adults and 200 THB for children.
Wang Nam Khiao
The so-called Switzerland of Isan, together with its widely known motto Cool-climate town, abound with mountain ranges, plenty waterfalls, several fruit orchards, vast paradise of fog cannot be anywhere else but Wang Nam Khiao district in Nakhon Ratchasima Province. The town seems to have a magnetic power that drives people to experience its miraculously beautiful nature. From Bangkok, drive along the Motorway until you find the exit gateway in Cha Choeng Sao. Then head to Kabin Buri to enter the state highway No. 304. After that, drive uphill to Wang Nam Khiao district. Above all, to find the accommodation, it is recommended to stay around the base of Khao Phaengma hill which has a comfortable temperature of foresty breeze