What to do and see in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand: The Best Places and Tips

March 17, 2018 Kandra Bartel

Nakhon Ratchasima (Thai: นครราชสีมา, pronounced [ná(ʔ).kʰɔ̄ːn râːt.t͡ɕʰā.sǐː.māː]) is one of the four major cities of Isan, Thailand, known as the "big four of Isan". The city is commonly known as Khorat (โคราช, pronounced [kʰōː.râːt]), a shortened form of its name. It is the governmental seat of the Nakhon Ratchasima Province and Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima District. Nakhon Ratchasima is the heart of the Nakhon Ratchasima metropolitan area.
Restaurants in Nakhon Ratchasima

1. Prasat Hin Phimai (Phimai Historical Park)

City Centre | Phimai, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand +66 44 471 568
Excellent
53%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 390 reviews

Prasat Hin Phimai (Phimai Historical Park)

This 12th-century temple is similar in structure to Angkor Wat.

Reviewed By Mr_Nobody_1979 - Krakow, Poland

Nice little archeological complex with very well preserved temples from Khmer empire. Their age is older than more famous Angkor in Cambodia and its said to be an inspiration for Khmer rulers to build much more awe inspiring one. Nice little museum on site explains history of this place in details.

2. Thao Suranaree (Ya Mo) Monument

Chumphon Road | Nai Muang, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand
Excellent
47%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
19%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 250 reviews

Thao Suranaree (Ya Mo) Monument

Reviewed By Multiservice - Copenhagen, Denmark

At the center of Korat (Nakhon Ratchasima) you will find the monument of Thao Suranaree (Ya Mo) - Who was a luring the the invaders into their deaths together with her female worriers...
You also find Fortune Tellers sitting along the waterponds... if you feel like getting wiser on your future...
For those who feels like sending / doing prayers - you can buy flower/insence/gold paper very cheep next to the monument..
Proffesional photographers is there to, if you forget your camera / phone...

3. The Mall Ratchasima

1242/2, Mitthaphap Road | Nai Mueang, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand +66 44 234 000
Excellent
28%
Good
53%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 114 reviews

The Mall Ratchasima

Reviewed By RieksLok - Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand

Still nice shopping mall with atmosphere. After they made some extensions in 2016, it now to large and some area's empty. The main old building still the best. The parking system is complicated and confusing. Nice (but too expensive) swimming pool.

4. Wat Sala Loi

Pho Klang Subdistrict, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand
Excellent
55%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 64 reviews

Wat Sala Loi

Reviewed By Raymond W - Chengdu, China

On the plus side, this wat does look different from most Thai wats because it is shaped like a Chinese junk and it is covered in brown ceramic tiles. Overall, it has a 1960s modernist look, which is not surprising seeing how it was built in 1967. However, it is more of a local attraction than something foreigners will go out of their way to see. This is one for people with time on their hands only.

5. Terminal 21 Korat

99, Mittraphap Road | Nai Mueang, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand
Excellent
55%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 53 reviews

Terminal 21 Korat

Reviewed By PaulandSu - Hua Hin, Thailand

This is a themed shopping mall with each floor representing a different city from around the world with familiar landmarks from each of those cities. Pretty much the same as Terminal 21 in Bangkok... but still lots of nice independent shops and small stalls selling a wide variety of items including souvenirs from the Issan region. You still have the big multi national shops as well and so many eating places to choose from. This is a good place to visit for all the family and we could have spent a lot longer there... but had another appointment to get to in Khao Yai National Park.

6. Lamtakhong Dam

Lamtakhong dam, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
Excellent
28%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
22%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 53 reviews

Lamtakhong Dam

Reviewed By Just_Jeffrey - Chiang Mai, Thailand

Be it a few hours or a day there, there is a nice peaceful place to enjoy the late, have a meal, and relax for a few hours or a whole day. An easy drive in a car from most places in Bangkok and you really feel out in the country side

7. Prasat Hin Phanom Wan

Ban Makha Village, Korat-Khon Kaen Road | Ban Pho, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
Excellent
29%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
25%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 31 reviews

Prasat Hin Phanom Wan

Reviewed By SiamYank - Buriram, Thailand

I do not want to take anything away from the importance of any Ancient Historical Site in Thailand, but as Trip Advisor is a tool for typical tourists I would suggest that Prasat Hin Phanom Wan should be overlooked.
Firstly, Trip Advisor has this site mapped incorrectly in the West of Korat City itself... this is not correct. Prasat Hin Phanom Wan is actually about 20 km outside the city. The best directions I can offer are to take the highway#2 North out of Korat for about 15km, then go East (name of road not known) thru the village of Ban Bu and on to the village of Ban Makha. The ruins are located about 1.5km South of Ban Makha Village.
I would not recommend this for the traveler who does not speak Thai and/or have their own transportation. Many people we asked (in Thai language) did not know where it was or had no knowledge of it at all. We only found it because I was able to get it on my GPS while driving in my personal vehicle.
The ruins themselves are nice, but nothing in comparison to nearby Phimai or the magnificant Phanom Rung in Southern Buriram. The site shares the space with a modern temple. It is laid out in a classic Khmer Style and appears to be heavily restored. You can even see this with the cement restoration on the spire in the photo on TA.
For me it was a nice diversion when I had nothing else to do, but I wouldn't put it on any holiday itinerary.

8. Wat Phayap Temple

308 Chumphon Road | Nai Mueang Subdistrict, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand +66 44 253 712
Excellent
25%
Good
59%
Satisfactory
16%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 24 reviews

Wat Phayap Temple

Reviewed By John W - Hampshire, United Kingdom

Definitely impressive and must have cost a vast amount of money. The "cave" is inside a building and made by sticking real stalactites and stalagmites taken presumably from real caves elsewhere. Cannot condone the ethics of this, especially within the context of a temple. The very new viharn is built of beautiful polished pink marble. The interior not yet finished.

9. Bung Ta Lua Water Park

Nong Phai Lom, Suranaree Army Camp, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand
Excellent
57%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 16 reviews

Bung Ta Lua Water Park

Reviewed By David C - United Kingdom

Great park in Korat on south west side of the city. Perfect for running, cycling or just walking - there are paths all the way around the lake for different types of activity. Getting there is quite easy - either via tuk tuk or there were a couple of songthaew routes passing close by. Not much in the way of facilities but a few food vendors were hanging around, not too many stray dogs either. Worth a visit if you're in Nakhon Ratchasima.

10. Khorat Fossil Museum

Ban Krok Duan Ha | Suranaree Subdistrict, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand 0-4421-6617-8
Excellent
57%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 16 reviews

Khorat Fossil Museum

Reviewed By Vince M - Udon Thani, Thailand

This is a great place for kids, you’re greeted by two dinosaurs fighting in the middle of the lake, put in 10 baht and the rather naff (but fantastic for the young ones) animation starts. The museum bit might be a bit boring, it’s all writing and little pictures but once you’re through that part there’s huge skeletons of dinosaurs and mammoths. Well worth a visit, cheap as chips and the kids are going to love it.

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.