Nakhon Ratchasima

Nakhon Ratchasima or Korat, city (1990 pop. 204,121), capital of Nakhon Ratchasima prov., S central Thailand, on the Mun River. Strategically located near the mountain pass leading from the central plain to NE Thailand, Nakhon Ratchasima is the administrative, economic, and transportation center of the Korat plateau. Copper deposits are nearby. Founded in the 17th cent., the city grew rapidly after the construction (1890) of the railroad from Bangkok. The nearby Royal Thai Air Force Base was an operation center for U.S. planes during the Vietnam War.

City (pop., 2000: 204,391), northeastern Thailand. It is the area's transportation, commercial, financial, and governmental centre. It grew rapidly during the 1960s and '70s with the buildup of its Royal Thai Air Force Base, from which U.S. warplanes operated during the Vietnam War. Nearby are restored 11th-century Khmer temples, a major tourist attraction.

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Nakhon Ratchasima (นครราชสีมา, ) is a city (thesaban nakhon) in the north-east (Isan) of Thailand and gateway to Isan. It is the capital of the Nakhon Ratchasima Province and Nakhon Ratchasima district. As of February, 2008, in the municipal area has a population of 167,048, which makes it the third-largest city in Thailand.

The city is also commonly known as Khorat or Korat (โคราช), which is a short version of the ancient name Angkor Raj. It is located at the western edge of the Khorat Plateau and historically marked the boundary between the Lao and Siamese territory, however now is considered a gateway to the Northeast (Isan). Its geographical location is .

History

Archeological evidence has discovered that there were two ancient towns that later became named Sema and Nakhon Raj which currently are in Sung Noen district, 32 km west of present-day Nakhonratchasima (Khorat). The province was once part of the Khmer empire. From 1656-1688 King Narai of Ayutthaya Kingdom ordered Khorat to be built to guard Ayutthaya eastern frontier.

From the beginning of Bangkok period, Nakhon Ratchasima became the kingdom's biggest northeastern stronghold, supervising the Kingdom's Laotian and Khmer 'vassals'.

The city was attacked by Anouvong, the King of Vientiane, in 1826 in an attempt to halt growing Siamese control of Laos. A prominent legendary figure at this time wasThao Suranaree a local heroine who has been honored with a statue in the center of downtown Korat; she is credited with having saved the city from Anouvong's army.

The old town of Khorat east of the Thao Suranaree monument was designed and built by a French engineer who is believed to be the same one who built Naraimaharaj Palace in Lopburi.The French-based design is reflected in the city's moat system that surrounds the innermost of the city [it was designed before the invention of the car, and is a 'rolling traffic jam'].

Nakhon Ratchasima continued to be the important, political and economic center in the northeastern region even after the administrative reform in the late nineteenth century.

In October 1933, after the 1932 Revolution, the city became the seat of the Boworadej Revolt, the abortive uprising against the new government in Bangkok.

During war in Vietnam, Nakhon Ratchasima was again home of US bases.

Weather

There are generally three seasons in the region: Hot (February - May), Rainy (May - October), Cold (October - February). In the cold season, temperatures in Korat proper will drop to about 60 degrees F, and in rural areas, down to the low fifties.

Transportation

Nakhon Ratchasima is connected with the northeastern railway line, connecting Bangkok with Ubon Ratchathani 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 30 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. Air Phoenix, a Thai air operations company, indicates that it will restart operations in Korat no later than April 2008. See the Korat Post website [Business Intelligence] www.thekoratpost.com for further information.

Major Points of Interest

• Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base was used by the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. It is located some 8km south of the city.
• Korat Zoo - The zoo is first-class and worth the visit (by personal account). Admission fee: 50B for Thais, 100B for foreign tourists.
• Thao Suranaree Monument - This is currently under major renovation. Lady Mo statue itself is in place, and vendors providing flowers and incense, etc., are currently nearby in makeshift stalls.
• Wat Salaloi
• His Majesty the King's 80th Birthday Anniversary, 5th December 2007 Sports Complex is a multi-use stadium in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, that is currently under construction. Once completed in 2007, it will mainly be used mostly for football matches and will host the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2007 Southeast Asian Games. The stadium holds 20,000 people.

Korat has becoming increasingly attractive to foreigners over the last five years, with growing numbers from mostly North America and Europe moving to the province. Still rustic, with cheap housing and land prices, the province is located only three hours' drive from Bangkok, (by bus or train) and as its Gateway to the Northeast moniker suggests, Korat connects the other 18 NE Thailand provinces with the central region by rail and highway.

Education

Universities

There are 2 universities in the area.

• Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University
• Rajamangala University of Technology Isan

Schools

Elementary Schools

• Ruammit School
• Sukhanaree School

High Schools

• Assumption School Nakhon Ratchasima
• MBAC
• Ratchasima Witthayalai School 1
• Saint Mary's College Nakhon Ratchasima
• Suranaree Witthaya School 1

Facilities

Hospitals

• Bangkok-Ratchasima Hospital
• Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital
• Saint Mary's Hospital
• The Golden Gate Hospital
• Po-Pat Hoapital
• Fort Suranaree Hospital

Hotels

• Sima-Thani Hotel
• Ratjapheck Grand Hotel
• Hermitage Hotel
• Si Phatthana Hotel
• Panjadara Hotel

Shopping Center & Department Store

• Big C Supercenter. Located on Mittraphap-Nong Khai Road.
• Klang Plaza Atsadang. Located on Atsadang Road.
• Klang Plaza Chomsurang. Located on Chomsurangyat Road.
• IT City. Located on Mittraphap Road.
• Makro. Located on Mittraphap-Nong Khai Road.
• The Mall Department Store including Home Pro & EGV Cinemas. Located on Mittraphap Road.
• Tesco Lotus Hypermarket. Located on Mittraphap Road.

See also

• Nakhon Ratchasima Province
• Nakhon Ratchasima Metropolitan Area
• List of Cities, Towns and Townships in Nakhon Ratchasima Province

References

External links

• City of Nakhon Ratchasima Municipality
• 24th Southeast Asian Games Nakhon Ratchasima 2007 Website
• Photo collections from 1966/67