Nakhon Ratchasima is one of the largest provinces in Thailand, located in the northeast, in the Isan region. Its second name is Korat. It is located 270 km to Bangkok, 330 km to Pattaya and covers a total area of 20,500 km2. The province is spread over a large mountain plateau. Administratively divided into 6 main areas, in which there are many temples, parks, waterfalls, caves and other interesting places. The capital has the same name - Nakhon Ratchasima - is the main administrative, economic and transport center in this part of the country.
Tourists are attracted by the ancient Khmer culture with its unique historical monuments. In addition, the province has many natural beauties that are also loved by foreigners and locals: high mountains and waterfalls, impenetrable jungles and lakes, and many others.
The history of Nakhon Ratchasima has more than one millennium. A long time ago, prehistoric tribes lived here, and after that this area was the center of Khmer culture, with its main city Ban Prasat. Especially many ancient monuments were found in the area of Phimai and Sung Noen. This is the cradle of the province, from here the Khmer culture spread everywhere.
The city of Nakhon Ratchasima or Korat is the capital of the province, located in the southwestern part of the Korat plateau, on one of the channels of the Mun River, at an altitude of 200 m above sea level. With a population of 135,000 people, the city is the fifth largest in Thailand. Its total area is 37.5 km2.
The first settlements here were already in the 6th century AD. In the 14th century, the towns of Khorakhapura and Sima, which were part of the Thai kingdom of Sukhothai, were founded on this site. During the Ayutthaya period they were united. In 1656, the city was completed and became a frontier in the east of Siam. When the borders of Thailand extended far to the east, Nakhon Ratchasima became the gateway to the province of Isan. During the Vietnam War, the United States established a military base in the vicinity of the city, which gave impetus to the development of its infrastructure with bars, restaurants and shops. After the departure of the Americans, it did not continue to develop in terms of tourism, since there is no sea or any significant sights within the city.
