Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat) Attractions Travel Guide

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Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat) is a large province which is steeped in history, especially that which relates to the Khmer kingdom. As a result there are numerous sites covering all aspects of Khmer culture. [more]

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Khorat province is rich in nature with forests, mountains, waterfalls and reservoirs. The province also supports traditional ways of life, especially well reflected at Dan Kwian -- a traditional community based around the production of clay pottery products and in Pak Thongchai -- a silk weaving village.

Nakhon Ratchasima's museums are excellent, housing findings from a variety of archaeological digs that bear witness to the region's pre-history and the Daravati and Khmer cultures that strongly influenced it. Attractions in the area include Khao Yai National Park - an especially good park protecting birds and animals (tigers, elephants, etc.) and Prasat Hin Phimai National Historical Park.

Dan Kwian Ceramics Centre

Known as the 'land of ceramics', Dan Kwian is Nakhon Ratchasima's main ceramics centre. Previously an area where bull-carts would stop on their way to nearby Khorat, generations of Dan Kwian residents have been involved in making the local pottery which is famed for a rough texture and a rust-like colour. The geographic particularities of this district mean that it is the only place in the country this type of pottery is produced.

Aside from the usual bowls and dishes, the pottery is shaped in a variety of everyday implements such as utensils and tools. As interest in the area's pottery has grown, more 'artistic' items have been produced - jewelry, chimes, figurines and vases are all now firmly on the craftsmen's menu. The pottery is not just here for tourists, the international sales of the craftsmen's work plays an important contribution to the local economy. Virtually everywhere you go ceramics are on sale.

Demonstrations of the potters' art can be arranged for a small contribution. There are also displays of the bull-carts from around the country that stopped at the site in days gone by. A trip to the Moon River on the east of the village is also worthwhile while you are here.

How to get there: Dan Kwian is in Tambol Dan Kwian of Chokchai District on Route No.224, 15 kilometres south-east of Khorat. The best way to get there is by Songtaew from Khorat's south or east city gates.

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Khao Yai National Park

Thailand's first National Park is also its second largest, and certainly one of its best. Khao Yai National Park spreads to four different provinces with the bulk of its 2,100 square kilometers in Nakhon Ratchasima.

The park has a variety of terrains from deciduous forest to savannah and houses some 3,000 species of plants. Wildlife in the park is as varied as its terrain and it is home to around 200 wild elephants. The park also houses tigers, gibbons, bears, deer, bats, wild pigs, and a major bird population including a wide variety of hornbills.

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Prasat Hin Phimai National Historical Park

At the height of the Khmer era Nakhon Ratchasima was an important route into the Khmer kingdom. This fact is reflected by Prasat Hin Phimai National Historical Park.

Parts of the park are actually older than Angkor Wat in Cambodia. It features a huge Angkor white sandstone shrine (around 30 metres tall) which is surrounded by smaller pink-coloured shrines. The park also houses Thailand's largest number of Khmer buildings. Four gateways are visible in the compound and there are a number of sculptures leading to the shrine.

The site is currently being restored to its former glory, but as it stands it is still very impressive - aside from Angkor Wat, Prasat Hin Phimai National Historical Park offers some of the best examples of Khmer architecture. The park also has a modern museum with a small gift shop and restaurant where some of its more precious artifacts are shown.

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Nakhon Ratchasima attractions map

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