Nakhon Ratchasima

The city of various Khmer ruins is also commonly known as Khorat or Korat, which is a short version of the ancient name Korakapura. It is located at the western edge of the Khorat Plateau, 260 kilometres northeast of Bangkok, and historically marked the boundary between the Lao and Siamese territory, however now is considered a gateway to the Northeast (Isan).

From archaeological evidence it has been found that there were 2 ancient towns named Sema and Korakapura which currently are in Sung Noen district, 30 km west of present-day Khorat. It was once part of the Khmer empire. In the years of 1656-1688 King Narai moved the city to its current location. The city was attacked by Anouvong, the King of Vientiane, in 1827 in an attempt to halt the growing Siamese control of Laos. Thao Suranaree is a local heroine with a statue in the centre of the city; she is credited with having saved the city from Anouvong’s army. The old town of Khorat west of the Thao Suranaree monument was designed and built by the French engineer who is believed to be the same one who built Naraimaharaj Palace in Lopburi. Nakhon Ratchasima is connected with the north-eastern railway line, connecting Bangkok with Ubon Ratchasima and Nong Khai. Also passing the city is Thai highway 2 (Friendship highway). 26km east of the city is the Nakhon Ratchasima Airport.

As of November 2006, the airport does not handle passenger traffic, and shipping has not been seen as a major commercial possibility. Passenger service has been attempted many times with financial failure (charges were as low as 99 Baht to fly to Bangkok), authorities are still discussing ways to make the over 400 million Baht investment several years ago a paying venture.

Visitors often base themselves in Nakhon Ratchasima for visits to nearby tourist destinations such as Yai Khao Yai national park Phimai and Phanom Rung.