Nakhon Ratchasima at a glance
Nakhon Ratchasima, generally known as "Khorat", is Thailand's
largest province situated on sprawling northeast plateau. Located
approximately 260 kilometers northeast of Bangkok, the city itself
serves as the gateway to the lower northeastern region.
Covering an area of 25,494 square kilometers
that is mainly plateaus and mountainous terrain, Khorat has
fascinating traditions, charming hospitality, splendid natural
scenery and awesome historical sites.
Some of the main
attractions in Khorat are Khmer ruins. Scattered around the
province, these products of ancient wisdom shines through time. One
of the Thailand's finest Khmer ruins can be seen here next to Mon
and Lao sites. In addition, Khorat has an abundance of
natural attractions in its forests, hills, wildlife and waterfalls
that are easily accessible in locations such as Khao Yai
National Park.
Apart from the famous statue of
Khun Ying Mo, Khorat is most well known for silk weaving
(in Pak Thong Chai) and a variety of top-notch quality handicrafts
such as clay pottery products of Dan Kwian.
 Geographically,
Nakhon Ratchasima borders on Chiyaphum and Khon Kaen Provinces in
the north, Buriram Province in the east, Chiyaphum and Saraburi
Provinces in the west and Nakhon Nayok and Prachin Buri Provinces in
the south.
Khorat is also the largest northeastern province. Inhabitants of the
province are mainly engaged in agricultural activities that include
farming of rice and other crops such as sugar cane, tapioca, corn,
jute, peanuts, sesame and fruits. There are more than 100 savings
and agricultural cooperatives in the province, 35 irrigation
projects and 7,122 industrial factories. Most of the factories are
rice mills, tapioca product manufacturers, and industrial factories.
Khorat's most
popular annual event is the Thao Suranari Festival, a celebration of
Thao Suranari's victory over the Lao. It's held from late March to
early April and features parades.
Looking back
Khorat used to
be the site of several ancient prehistoric communities. Little is
known about the early history of Khorat, except that it used to be
part of a kingdom called Sri Janas (Si Janat) an empire that
extended its power to the entire Khorat Plateau.
Initially the
predominant cultural influence in the city was that of the Dvaravati
culture, however, it was later replaced by the Khmer culture. The
prehistoric site of Ban Prasat is an evidence of this
occurrence while traces of both the Dvaravati and Khmer cultures are
scattered throughout the province, particularly at Amphur Sung
Noen and Amphur Phimai.
Once an
administrative and cultural center, Khorat's role today
remains unchanged as it is currently the main transportation,
industrial and economic hub of the Northeast. |
