 The
Khao Yai Natioanl Park
The Khao Yai National about 200 kilometers away from Bangkok along
Highway No. 2 with 40 kilometers right turn a Km. 165.5. The tourists
who travel by public transport can take the bus from Bangkok’s
Northeastern Bus Turmial to Amphoe Pak Choang and hire a local mini-bus
(Song-Thawo) at Pak Chong market to Khao Yai. The Khao Yai National Park
is covering an area of 2,168 square kilometers in four provinces: Nakhon
Ratchasima, Nakhon Nayok, Saraburi, and Prachin Buri. The Park comprises
various mountains, two important rivers of Lam Takhong and Nakhon Nayok,
with many rare species of fauna and flora and over 20 waterfalls.
Camping sites in the park are available.
 Lam Takhong Dam
Located on the edge of Friendship Highway (Mittraphap Road), forming a
large reservoir with a capacity of 310 cubic meters of water, capable of
helping a total of 238,000 rai of agricultural land, surrounded by and
atmosphere of shady trees and beautiful views of nature, good to visit
for recreation.
Lam Phra
Phloeng Dam
It is situated in Pak Thong Chai District, some 28 kilometers from the
main highway. From the dam, boats can also be hired for going another 23
kilometers up to the reservoir.
 Sai Ngam
The place is located in Tambon Nai Muang, Amphoe Phimai about 1.5
kilometers northeast of Phimai Historical Park. this is another
well-known sight-seeing spot. A road to Sai Ngam passes through Phimai
Irrigation Project. This is a dam built across Moon River. Sai Ngam is
located on the bank of this river. At the place there are many banyan
trees of which with each other until it is not possible to distinguish
on tree's branches and leaves from those of the other. The interwoven
branches and leaves extend densely over an area of about 15,000 square
feet. They are perhaps the largest banyan trees in Southeast Asia.
Nakhon Ratchasima
Zoological
It is 13 kms. away from Nakhon Ratchasima on Nakhon Ratchasima-Pak Thong
Chai road (highway No. 304). It is the fifth zoo of Thailand covers an
area of 545 raise. It will be completely built in 1998. There are lot of
interesting wildlife animals; for example, bison, hog deer, and animal
of the antler kind, wild gibbon, jaguar, snake, wild cat, etc. Moreover,
there are variety of different species of birds; for example,
cassowaries
birds from Africa, sarus crane, Thai and Indian peacocks, etc. The zoo
open everyday from 08.00 am. - 04.30 pm. without any charges.
|
 The
Monument of Thao Suranari
The monument of Thao Suranari or Khun Ying Mo is situated in front of
the old gate of "Pratu Chumpon"
on the west side of the city. This
monument was erected in 1934 to commemorate the heroic deed of Khun Ying
Mo, wife of the Deputy Governor of Khorat during the reign of King Rama
III, who managed to save the city from the invasion of the Laotian army
led by Price Anuwong of Vientian. Every year from March 23 to April 3,
there is a celebration to honour this statue which draw thousands of
people from town and neighboring provinces.
Wat Phra
Narai Maharat
Wat Rhra Narai Maharat on Prachak Road houses an image of Narayana
(Hindu God) made of sand stone. The statue is considered the major
sacred object of the city. THE CITY PILLAR is also enshrined in this
temple.
Wat Sala Loi
Wat Sala Loi Is located on the bank of Lam Takhong River about 500
meters off the side-road to Northeast of the town. The main chapel,
which received many awards from various architectural associations as a
modern leading design of religious monument, is constructed in the shape
of Chinese Junk.
Maha
Weerwong National Museum
Maha Weerawong National Museum opposite to the City Hall, exhibits
various arts objects and artifacts donated to Somdet Maha Weerawong,
e.g. sand stone Buddha images of Khmer and Ayutthaya period, Bronze
Buddha images, different sizes ceramics and wood carvings from ancient
monasteries. It is opened every day except Mondays, Tuesdays and
official holidays.
Prasat Hin
Phanom Wan
Prasat Hin Phanom Wan is located 20 kilometers from town. It can be
reached by following Nakhon Ratchasima-Khon Kaen Highway; then turning
right at kilometer 14-15 and traveling on for 5 kilometers. This
religious place was constructed in the 12th century. Its Khmer style
resembles Prasat Hin Phimai but its size is smaller. Its main stupa
facing the east was built of sandstone an connected the Mandapa by a
square path of 25.5 meter length and 10.20 meter width. The Prasat is
surrounded by laterite wall and has Gopuras (entrances) from four
directions. Outside the walls, there are a lot of ponds.
Wat Pa Salawan
Wat Pa Salawan is located behind Nakhon Ratchasima Railway Station. This
monastery houses the relics of Acharn Man, Acharn Tim, and Acharn Sao,
three holy well known Buddhist monks of Thailand.
Miss Boonlua
Memorial
Miss Boonlua Memorial is located in Boonlua vidhyanusorn school, 12 kms.
From the city on the highway to Chaiyaphum. The statue is to commemorate
the heroic deed of miss Boonlua and the people of Nakhon Ratchasima who
died in the battle of Thung Samrit in 1826.
The
Phimai National Museum
The Phimai National Museum is at the approach in Amphoe Phimai, some 60
kilometers northeast of Nakhon Ratchasima. The museum houses an
extensive collection of succeeding eras of Ancient Khmer and Dvaravati
artifacts : carved sandstone pediments and lintels from the 6th century
Dvaravati Period, and those of Khmer,s ranging from the early Koh Ker
style from 9th century Dvaravati style to Angkor Wat’s Bayon style of
the 12th century.
 The
Phimai Historical Park
The Phimai Historical Park Dotted about Thailand’s great northeastern
plateau are numerous temples of varying sizes; most of these structures
are believed to be about a thousand years old. These building-built of
brick, stone, or combinations of the two material-are of two types:
those built by persons of Brahman culture, these have three to
five-storied bases surmounted by prominent spires; those constructed by
Buddhist patronages, have a low base an their spires are not so tall.
The most spectacular of them all is at Phimai, 60 kms. Northeast of
Nakhon Ratchasima. Prasat Hin Phimai which is the charmingly amusing
largest sandstone sanctuary in Thailand almost situated in the center of
Phimai Ancient city which carries a rectangular shape of 665 meters wide
and 1,030 meters long. Nowadays, the Sanctuary looks magnificently
restored and renovated. The ruins of the fascinating ancient Khmer
architecture has been preserved as the National Historical Park. The
monument itself is surrounded with two red sandstone walls; the external
wall and the gallery. There are punctuated by gate towers (Gopuras) at
four cardinal points, North, South, East and West. The main entrance is
decorated with Naga balustrade which faces to the south where there are
ancient routes cut from Angkor. The main white sandstone Prang has its
place in the middle, towers of 28 meters in height, and flanked by two
minor buildings, of the left was built in laterite called
"Prang Bhramadhat"
and on the right was built in sandstone called "Prang Hin
Daeng". Evidences of the main sanctuary reveal that all the external
lintels including pediments involve Hinduism, such as the carvings of
Ramayana Story, Figures of Hindu Gods like Shiva and Vishnu whereas the
internal lintels involve typically masterful religious art of Mahayana
Buddhism. Though, it can be concluded that Phimai Sanctuary way built
for the worship of both Mahayana Buddhism and Hinduism: one of the
internal lintels represents Trilokayavichaya Buddhism who standing on
Hindo Gods, Shiva and his wife, seems to mean that Buddhism becomes more
significant than Hinduism. Two stone inscriptions encountered, the first
mentions the name of King suriyavoraman I (1002-1050) while the second
at the door frame of the Southern gallery describing the name of King
Dharanidharavoraman I (1107-1113). These inscriptions of different
periods also coincides with the characteristics of the artifacts found
inside the main prang, therefore, the well-restored ruins of Phimai
Sanctuary may have been built in between late 11th mid 12th centuries.
The Phimai Historical Park opens every day from 7.30-18.00 hrs.
Admission fee is 20 Baht per person.
Prasat Nang Ram
Prasat Nang Ram is located 79 kilometers far from town on the route No.
2 It can be reached by driving 62 kilometers to the crossroads of Ban
Wat, then touring right along the highway No. 207 for 22 kms. To Ban
Nang Ram and finally turning left with traveling further for 4
kilometers. Prasat Nang Ram was built in Khmer style during the 12th
century to be a nursing place. The sanctuary consists of the main stupa
an vihara surrounded by laterite walls. Outside the wall, there is a
pond lined with stepped laterite. Far away 80 meters, surrounded by
laterite walls and the U-shaped pond are other three stupas assumed to
be the residence of medical men.
Khao Chan Ngam
Cave
Khao Chan Ngam Cave is located a Ban Loet Sawat 58 kilometers a way from
Nakhon Ratchasima on Highway No. 2 with 4 kilometers left turn at km.
198. The cave is famous for pre-historic color paintings.
Prang Ku
Prang Ku is located at Wat Ban Ku in Tambon Dan Tanin, 74 kms. Away from
Nakhon Ratchasima. The ancient Khmer style spire of square-shape
foundation piled up to the top with sandstone houses an earthen Buddha
image.
Prang Sida
Prang Sida another Khmer ruin, is located at Tambon Sida, about 90 kms.
From Nakhon Ratchasima.
Archaeological Site At Ban Prasat
Archaeological site at Ban Prasat is located at ban Prasat Tai, Mu 7,
Tambon Than Prasat, Amphoe Non Sang, 45 kms. Far from Nakhon Ratchasima
on the Nakhon Ratchasima-Phimai route with a 2 km. left turn. There are
2 excavating sites, each with 3 pits, with the following discoveries: At
the depth of 3.50-4.50 meters, lie human skeletons and various kinds of
artifact including an ancient weapon shaped like a discus made of white
marble-like stone, huge animal bones, ornaments made of animal bones and
shells, and an ancient axe-like weapon. The discoveries in this layer
are believed to be of pre-historic period, about 3,000 years ago. At the
depth of 2.30-3.0 meters, ancient bronze weapons such as a sharp
lance-like weapon, stone beads of many strange colors, red and black
painted pottery with incised decoration, as well as golden wrist and
ankle bracelets believed to be of Dvaravati period (1,600-,800) years
ago) have been unearthed. At the depth of 1.50-2.0 meters, the
discoveries include a kiln and color glazed pottery of mixed Khmer and
modern styles, containers similar to those of modern time, as well as
swords and weapons like those of contemporary period. They can be dated
back to at least 600 years ago up to now. According to an exploration by
the Division of Archaeology back in 1977, Ban Prasat is an enclose site
of an irregular shape with surrounding moat and mound measuring 700 x
450 meters. The area slopes southwards with its highest point rising
some 4 meters from the surrounding rice fields. The site is believed to
be an agricultural community of pre-historic period in the southern
Northeast with its own typical civilization differing from that of Ban
Chiang, Changwat Udon Thani, which dated back some 500-1,000 years
younger.
Wat Na Phra That
Wat Na Phra That is located at Ban Takhu only 4 kilometers from the Pak
Thong Chai district office on highway No. 2238. There is an old chapel
in which beautiful mural paintings of the Early Rattanakosin period can
be seen on the walls. The door of "Ho Trai" or the hall for keeping the
scripture is also elaborately carved.
Prasat Pha Kho
Prasat Pha Kho is located at Tambon Krathok. From town take highway No.
224 for 29 kms., then take the highway No. 2071 for 3 kms. Prasat Pha
Kho was built in the Bapuan Khmer style. The complex consists of two
buildings with a ditch around them.
Muang Khorat
Muang Khorat an ancient town of Khmer period, is located some 32
kilometers southwest of Nakhon Ratchasima on the way to Amphoe Sung Noen
with 3 kilometers right turn at Wat Yan Sophit Wanaram The ruins
comprise Prasat Hin Non ku Prasat Hin Muang Khaek and Prasat Hin Muang
Kao which have been already restored by the Fine Arts Department.
Muang Sema
Muang Sema is located at Tambon Sema, 4 kilometers away from Sung Noen
Market. It is also the deserted town of oval shape, 1400 meters wide and
2,000 meters long, surrounded by laterite wall. A lot of artifacts were
found in the excavation. These include an 11.7 meter long sandstone
reclining Buddha Image in Wat Thammachak Semaram and pieces of ancient
sema stones (that mark the sacred area of a Buddhist temple). It is
believed that the town was built in Dvaravati period.
Wat Ban Rai
Wat Ban Rai is located at Tambon Kut Phiman. Take Mittraphap Rd. for 60
kms. To Dan Khun Thot, then take highway No. 2217 for 10 kms. Wat Ban
Rai is a famous monastery where Luang Pho Khun Porisutho, the well know
monk live.
|