Nakhon Ratchasima Province

Nakhon Ratchasima
นครราชสีมา
—  Province  —
Statue of Lady Mo in Khorat city centre

Seal
Nickname(s): Korat, Khorat
Map of Thailand highlighting Nakhon Ratchasima Province
Country  Thailand
Capital Nakhon Ratchasima
Government
 • Governor Rapee Phongbupakit (since October 2010)
Area
 • Total 20,494.0 km2 (7,912.8 sq mi)
Area rank Ranked 1st
Population (December 31, 2010)
 • Total 2,582,089
 • Rank Ranked 2nd
 • Density 126/km2 (326.3/sq mi)
 • Density rank Ranked 34th
Time zone Thailand Standard Time (UTC+7)
ISO 3166 code TH-30
Website www.nakhonratchasima.go.th

Nakhon Ratchasima (Thai: นครราชสีมา) or (Khmer: Nokor Reach Seyma), often shortened to Korat or Khorat (โคราช), is one of the north-eastern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (clockwise, from north) Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Buriram, Sa Kaeo, Prachinburi, Nakhon Nayok, Saraburi, Lopburi.

The capital of the province is The City of Nakhon Ratchasima located in Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima District, also called Korat or Khorat.

Contents

Geography

The province is located on the western end of the Khorat Plateau, separated from the Chao Phraya river valley by the Phetchabun and Dong Phaya Yen mountain ranges. Two national parks are in the province - the Khao Yai in the west and the Thab Lan in the south. Both parks are in the forested mountains of the Sankamphaeng Range, the southern prolongation of the Dong Phaya Yen mountains

Nakhon Ratchasima, or "Khorat," is a large province on the northeastern plateau and acts as a gateway to other provinces in the Northeast. It is 259 kilometres from Bangkok and has an area of around 20,494 square kilometres, making it the biggest province in Thailand. The province is rich in Khmer culture and has a long history.

History

The area around Korat was already an important center in the times of the Khmer empire in the 11th century, as can be seen by the temple ruins in the Phimai historical park. Still, Nakhon Ratchasima Province is one of the provinces where there is a sizable Northern Khmer population.[1]

A new walled-city with a surrounding moat, designated as Nakhon Ratchasima, was built in the seventeenth century by order of the King Narai, as the easternmost 'command post', guarding the Kingdom's border and supervising its Lao and Cambodian 'vassals'. It continued this duty during the Bangkok Period, although it was seized by deceit during Chao Anuwong of Vientiane's 1826 revolt against the King Rama III of Siam.

Nakhon Ratchasima has long been the most important political and economic center in the northeastern region. In the late nineteenth century, the railroad reached Korat became the junction of two main rail lines in the Northeastern, Isan, region.

In 1933 it was the stronghold of the royalist troops in the Boworadej Revolt, against the new ostensibly democratic government in Bangkok.

In the 1970s, the province was the site of United States military bases supporting the Vietnam War.

Symbols

Provincial seal

A monument of Thao Suranaree or Khun Ying MO (1771–1852) situated in front of the old gate of "Prau Chumpon". The Great Heroine of Korat ; Thao Suranaree, wife of the Deputy Governor of Korat during the reign of King Rama III. In 1826s Khun Ying Mo, managed to save the city from the invasion of the Laotian army led by Prince Anouvong of Vientiane. King Rama III conferred the title of Thao Suranaree on Khun Ying Mo, as well as conferring additional titles honouring her bravery.

Provincial Tree

Sa-Thorn (Millettia leucantha Kurz)



Provincial Motto

  • Land of brave women, Fine Silk material, Khorat Rice noodle, Phimai historical park, and Dan Kwian Ceramics.

Administrative divisions

The province is subdivided into 32 districts (amphoe). The districts are further subdivided into 263 subdistricts (tambon) and 3743 villages (muban).

  1. Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima
  2. Khon Buri
  3. Soeng Sang
  4. Khong
  5. Ban Lueam
  6. Chakkarat
  7. Chok Chai
  8. Dan Khun Thot
  9. Non Thai
  10. Non Sung
  11. Kham Sakaesaeng
  12. Bua Yai
  13. Prathai
  14. Pak Thong Chai
  15. Phimai
  16. Huai Thalaeng
  17. Chum Phuang
  18. Sung Noen
  19. Kham Thale So
  20. Sikhio
  21. Pak Chong
  22. Nong Bun Mak
  23. Kaeng Sanam Nang
  24. Non Daeng
  25. Wang Nam Khiao
  26. Thepharak
  27. Mueang Yang
  28. Phra Thong Kham
  29. Lam Thamenchai
  30. Bua Lai
  31. Sida
  32. Chaloem Phra Kiat
Districts General Information
class Name Area
(km2.)
Distance to
Provincial Hall
(km.)
Establish Subdistrict
(Unit)
Village
(Unit)
Population.
Male Female Total
Special
Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima
755.596 0 1895 25 243 212,627 221,211 433,838
1
Dan Khun Thot
1,428.14 84 1908 16 220 62,571 63,347 125,918
1
Bua Yai
305.028 101 1886 10 121 41,855 42,278 84,133
1
Pak Thong Chai
1,374.32 34 1910 16 213 56,716 58,950 115,666
1
Phimai
896.871 60 1900 12 208 64,421 66,024 130,445
1
Sikhio
1,247.07 45 1955 12 169 60,898 61,163 122,061
1
Pak Chong
1,825.17 85 1955 12 217 91,146 91,685 182,831
2
Khon Buri
1,816.85 58 1939 12 152 46,086 47,167 93,253
2
Chakkarat
501.672 40 1953 8 108 34,441 34,643 69,084
2
Chok Chai
503.917 30 1905 10 126 37,297 39,223 76,520
2
Non Sung
676.981 37 1897 16 195 62,639 65,374 128,013
2
Prathai
600.648 97 1961 13 148 38,622 38,761 77,282
2
Sung Noen
782.853 36 1901 11 125 38,429 40,181 78,610
2
Huai Thalaeng
495.175 65 1961 10 120 37,443 37,131 74,574
2
Chum Phuang
540.567 98 1959 9 130 40,918 41,038 82,161
3
Soeng Sang
1,200.24 88 1976 6 84 33,733 33,302 67,032
3
Khong
454.737 79 1938 10 155 40,052 41,076 81,128
3
Non Thai
541.994 28 1900 10 131 36,126 37,592 73,718
3
Kham Sakaesaeng
297.769 50 1968 7 72 21,423 21,753 43,176
3
Kaeng Sanam Nang
107.258 130 1986 5 56 18,782 19,054 37,836
3
Wang Nam Khiao
1,130.00 70 1992 5 83 20,416 20,503 40,910
4
Ban Lueam
218.875 85 1976 4 39 10,620 10,732 21,351
4
Nong Bunmak
590.448 52 1983 9 104 29,424 29,316 58,740
4
Thepharak
357.465 90 1995 4 58 12,002 11,451 23,453
4
Phra Thong Kham
359.522 45 1996 5 74 21,260 21,680 42,940
4
Sida
162.825 85 1997 5 50 12,087 12,133 24,220
4
Bua Lai
106.893 103 1997 4 45 12,374 12,450 24,824
4
Non Daeng
193.407 30 1989 5 65 12,597 12,984 25,581
4
Kham Thale So
203.605 22 1966 5 46 14,091 14,021 28,112
4
Mueang Yang
255.522 110 1995 4 44 14,321 14,038 28,359
4
Lam Thamenchai
308.457 120 1996 4 59 16,114 15,953 32,067
4
Chaloem Phra Kiat
254.093 18 1996 5 61 16,966 17,411 34,377

Transportation

Roads Highway 2 (Mittraphap Road) is the main route that connects 9 districts in Nakhon Ratchasima including Muang district. This route also connects Nakhon Ratchasima to Saraburi and Khon Kaen provinces. As, Highway No. 24 links Si Khio district from the Highway 2 to Pak Thongcha, Chok Chai and Nong Bunnak districts and to Burirum province.

Rail systems The railway system in Nakhon Ratchasima is on both north-eastern routes from Bangkok’s Hua Lampong central terminal. Nakhon Ratchasima has 8 main railway stations.

Bus service Mini-bus and bus routes operate in the city and nearby areas. There are non air-conditioned buses from the provincial town which go to every district. As for travel to nearby provinces, there are both air and non air-conditioned ones.

Songthaew (public passenger pick-up vehicle) Songthaew or public passenger pick-up vehicle is the most popular mode of public transportation in all the town districts. These run on fixed routes.

Taxi Taxis are plentiful, clean, safe, and inexpensive in Korat. They can be found at taxi stands in the city areas or hailed on the streets. There are also certain taxis that can be requested by phone, however, the fare is slightly higher than regular taxis. An increasing number of taxi drivers nowadays speak some English which may prove extremely useful for first-time visitors. The fare system is based on both distance and time. Fares begin at 30 Bath for the first 2 kilometers.

Motorbike-taxi The motorbike taxis are found mainly in the town areas and are used mainly for short distances.

Airport Nakhon Ratchasima has one airport but as of June 2007, it no longer services any flights. The nearest airport is in Buriram and has flights to and from Bangkok.

Tourism

Nakhon Ratchasima or Khorat, is Thailand’s largest province and the ‘Gateway to Isaan’ (Gateway to the North-East). It also has beautiful National Parks, with many forests, mountains, waterfalls, and reservoirs. Furthermore, it is well known for a variety of quality handicrafts that visitors can choose from. Regarding tourism, locals Thais make up the majority. Most foreigners who visit the north-east view Khorat as just a stepping stone and pass right through without taking the opportunity to tour this province with its interesting and diverse history, architecture and natural beauty.

Attractions

Climate

Climate data for Nakhon Ratchasima (1961-1990)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 30.6
(87.1)
33.5
(92.3)
35.8
(96.4)
36.5
(97.7)
34.9
(94.8)
34.1
(93.4)
33.6
(92.5)
33.1
(91.6)
32.1
(89.8)
30.9
(87.6)
29.7
(85.5)
29.3
(84.7)
32.84
(91.12)
Average low °C (°F) 16.8
(62.2)
20.0
(68.0)
22.2
(72.0)
24.0
(75.2)
24.5
(76.1)
24.3
(75.7)
23.9
(75.0)
23.7
(74.7)
23.6
(74.5)
22.6
(72.7)
20.2
(68.4)
17.1
(62.8)
21.91
(71.43)
Precipitation mm (inches) 5.9
(0.232)
17.8
(0.701)
37.1
(1.461)
63.5
(2.5)
140.5
(5.531)
108.3
(4.264)
113.7
(4.476)
146.2
(5.756)
221.6
(8.724)
143.4
(5.646)
27.3
(1.075)
2.8
(0.11)
1,028.1
(40.476)
Avg. precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) 0.9 2.2 5.1 7.7 13.8 13.3 13.5 16.4 18.1 12.2 4.0 0.7 107.9
Sunshine hours 284.2 245.1 253.8 248.1 237.5 208.6 194.6 187.3 169.0 233.4 257.3 282.0 2,800.9
Source no. 1: WMO
Source no. 2: CMA

Activities

There are plenty of activities in Khorat, which includes swimming at the Olympic sized Waterslide Park, horse racing at the Second Army Area and learning military history, bird spotting at Khao Yai and mountain climbing, go carting, horse riding, ATV driving, scenery viewing by mini golf vehicle at Thong Sombun Club. Available golf courses at Khorat are:

Spa service is available at some of the leading hotels.

Local Products

Nakhon Ratchasima has a wide variety of local goods that tourists can buy from city markets or production centres. Famous handicrafts are Dan Kwian earthenware, silk and Mat Mi silk from Pak Thong Chai. Products of housewives can be bought from the Khorat Goods Centre near the provincial hall.

Food products include sausages, fermented sausages, Chinese sausages, minced pork that is found everywhere in the city and in Pak Chong, and Khorat noodles that are sold everywhere. The largest fruit market is Klang Dong Market before going up Khao Yai. This is where produce from Nakhon Ratchasima and nearby provinces is sold. The most famous fruit of Klang Dong is custard apple that is sold all year round.

Nightlife

Types of Nightlife in Khorat include:

Local culture

Lifestyle

Khorat is traditionally an agricultural province where most of the population works in farming such as: rice, sugar cane, tapioca, corn, jute, peanuts, sesame and fruits. In this day and age however, many of Khorat’s younger generation are moving to near-by Bangkok to work.

Since Khorat used to be a former US Airbase during the Vietnam War, there is quite a significant amount of war veteran retirees in Khorat. They simply never did go back ‘home’.

The people of Khorat are a mixed-breed. There are those of Khmer ancestry, Laotian ancestry and Chinese ancestry. In the town areas, most of the people speak standard Thai but in the more rural areas, they speak ‘Khorat’ which is a dialect half way between Thai and Isaan (Laotian).

Festivals and Fairs

Thao Suranari Memorial Fair (งานฉลองวันแห่งชัยชนะของท้าวสุรนารี) is an annual event of the province and is held during 23 March-3 April, the period Khunying Mo was victorious over her enemy. The fair features arts and culture, shops and exhibitions of public and private offices.

Phimai Boat Races (งานประเพณีแข่งเรือพิมาย) is held yearly by the people of Amphoe Phimai on the second weekend of November. Apart from the races of boats in Phimai and nearby districts, this interesting event has boat decorations for royal ceremonies and boat chants.

Phimai Festival (งานเทศกาลเที่ยวพิมาย) is organised to promote tourism activities in the province’s main tourist destination of Phimai Historical Park that is held in conjunction with Phimai Boat Races. Activities include long boat racing, cultural performances, religious processions, and a light-and-sound show.

Art

Pak Thong Chai on the other hand is famed for its high quality hand-woven traditional silk and it is the industry of one whole village there. Then there is Dan Kwian where pottery has been the local’s way of life for centuries.

In Dan Kwian however, the folk have traditionally been working in the field of pottery for centuries.

Learn

People can learn about how to make traditional pottery at Dan Kwiang and learn about making hand-woven silk at Pak Chong.

Education

Universities

There are 4 universities in the area.

Schools

International schools

Facilities

Hospitals

Mueang District

Hotels

Mueang District

Shopping Center & Department Store

Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima

Pak Chong

Communications

References

  1. ^ Thai People In Northeastern Thailand (Isan)

External links