Nakhon Ratchasima นครราชสีมา |
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— Province — | |||
Statue of Lady Mo in Khorat city centre | |||
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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.
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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.
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.
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
The province is subdivided into 32 districts (amphoe). The districts are further subdivided into 263 subdistricts (tambon) and 3743 villages (muban).
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 |
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.
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.
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 |
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.
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.
Types of Nightlife in Khorat include:
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).
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.
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.
People can learn about how to make traditional pottery at Dan Kwiang and learn about making hand-woven silk at Pak Chong.
There are 4 universities in the area.
Lopburi Province | Chaiyaphum Province | Khon Kaen Province | ||
Saraburi Province | Buriram Province | |||
Nakhon Ratchasima Province | ||||
Nakhon Nayok Province | Prachin Buri Province | Sa Kaew Province |
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