Muang KhoratLocation
: Amphoe Sung Noen Muang Khorat an ancient town of Khmer period,
is located some 32 kilometres southwest of Nakhon Ratchasima on the way
to Amphoe Sung Noen with 3 kilometres 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.
Location : Amphoe Sung NoenMuang Sema is located at Tambon
Sema, 4 kilometres away from Sung Noen Market. It is also the deserted town
of oval shape, 1400 metres wide and 2,000 metres long, surrounded by laterite
wall. A lot of artifacts were found in the excavation. These include an
11.7 metre 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.
Prang Ku
Location : Amphoe MueangPrang 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.
Prasat Pha Kho
Location : Amphoe Chok Chai This ancient Khmer sanctuary and Hindu
religious place constructed of white sandstone originally had 3 buildings
of which only 2 remain today. The site is surrounded by a horseshoe-shaped
moat and has an entrance to the east. A lintel dated from around the 11th
century influenced by the Baphuon culture of ancient Khmer was found here.
This lintel is currently housed in the Phimai National Museum.The sanctuary
is located at tambon Krathok. From the city take Highway No. 224 for 29
kilometres and continue on to Highway No. 2071 for 3 kilometres. The site
is on the right.
Location : Amphoe PhimaiPrasat Nang Ram is located 79 kilometres
far from town on the route No. 2 It can be reached by driving 62 kilometres
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 kilometres. 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 metres, surrounded by laterite
walls and the U-shaped pond are other three stupas assumed to be the residence
of medical men.
Location : Amphoe Mueang Prasat Hin Phanom Wan is located 20
kilometres from town. It can be reached by following Nakhon Ratchasima-Khon
Kaen Highway; then turning right at kilometre 14-15 and traveling on for
5 kilometres. 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 metre length and 10.20 metre width. The Prasat
is surrounded by laterite wall and has Gopuras (entrances) from four directions.
Outside the walls, there are a lot of ponds.
Location : Amphoe PhimaiThe Phimai Historical Park Dotted about
Phimai is located 60 km northeast of Nakhon Ratchasima. It is one of the most important Khmer
temples in Thailand. Most buildings were presumably built in the late 11th to late 12th century
with Baphuon, Bayon and Angkor Wat style. The stone castle is located in the centre of Phimai
Ancient City which is 665 metres wide and 1,030 metres long. It was built to worship both Mahayana
Buddhism and Hinduism. The external lintels including pediments depict Hinduism, such as the carvings
of Ramayana story, figures of Hindu Gods such as Shiva and Vishnu while the internal lintels depict
religious art of Mahayana Buddhism. This site faces south as it is the direction of Ankor Wat while
other Khmer sites face east.
Opening Hours: opens every day from 07.30 - 06.00 hrs.
Admission: 40 Baht for foreigners and 10 Baht for Thai citizen
How to get there: take Highway No.2 from Nakhon Ratchasima town
centre, pass Prasat Hin Phanom Wan on your left. Continue for 51 km until the traffic light,
turn right to Highway No.206 towards Amphoe Phimai and continue for 12 km to Phimai Historical Park.
Wat Ban RaiLocation
: Amphoe Dan Khun Thot 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.
Location : Amphoe Pak Thong Chai Wat Na Phra That is located
at Ban Takhu only 4 kilometres 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.
Wat Phra Narai Maharat
Location : Amphoe MueangWat 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 Pa Salawan
Location : Amphoe MueangWat 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.
Wat Prang sida
Location : Amphoe Prathai Prang Sida is similar to Prang Ku
at Tambon Don Tanin, but this pagoda is closed on all 4 sides. It was a
Brahman religious site, dated from around the 12th-13th Buddhist centuries,
that was constructed entirely of laterite in the ancient Khmer style with
sculpted plaster designs facing the east and an outer wall surrounding the
site. From the Khorat city, take Highway No. 2 for about 84 kilometres to Sida intersection and turn right onto Highway No. 202 (to Amphoe Prathai)
for about 1.5 kilometres, then take a left and proceed for about 2 kilometres
to the temple.
Wat Sala Loi
Location : Amphoe Mueang Wat Sala Loi Is located on the bank
of Lam Takhong River about 500 metres 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.
Archaeological Ste At Ban Prasat
Location : Amphoe Non Sung 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 metres, 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 metres, 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 metres, 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 metres. The area slopes southwards with its highest
point rising some 4 metres 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.
Location : Amphoe Mueang 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.
Location : Amphoe Pak Chong Khao Yai National Park consists of high mountain
range such as Khao Rom with its peak of 1,350 m above sea level, Khao Lam at 1,326 m, Khao
Keaw at 1,292 m, Khao Sam Yod at 1,142 m, Khao Fah Pha at 1,078 meters and some others.
The park covers vast grass field alternating with verdant forest. The landscape of the
north and the east smoothly slope down, while the south and the west rise up high. The
park is the source of 5 main rivers including Prachin Buri River, Nakhon Nayok River,
Lam Ta Kong River, Phraphlerng River and Muak Lek River. Khao Yai is comprised of dry
evergreen forests, dry deciduous forests, tropical evergreen forests, Hill Evergreen
Forest and grassland. The park is teemed with wildlife including monkeys, over 320
species of birds, elephants, civets, squirrels, porcupines, wild pigs and many others.
During rainy season between May and October, the forest in Khao Yai becomes lush green
with stunning waterfalls. Despite its high humidity, the beauty of the plants, flowers
and fresh and clean air beckon tourists to experience it. The cold season is the most
popular time to visit the Park as it has clear, sunny and cool weather, ideal for hiking
and sunset watching. Summer is still not bad due to its dense forest which cools down the
heat. The waterfalls may dry up during this season.
Address: P.O.Box 9, Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima 30130
Tel: 086 092 6529, 037 356 033, 044 249 305
How to get there: Take Highway No.1 to Saraburi Province then turn right
onto Highway No.2 heading towards Pak Chong. Take Highway No.2060, continue
for about 20 km to the entrance of the National Park. It can also be reached
via Prachinburi route, take Highway No.305 to Nakhon Nayok and take Highway
No.33 then turn left at Naresuan Ring Rd. to Highway No.3077, continue for
approximately 10 km to the Park Office.
Khao Chan Ngam Cave
Location : Amphoe Sikhio
Khao Chan Ngam Cave is located a Ban Loet Sawat 58 kilometres a way from Nakhon Ratchasima on Highway No. 2 with 4 kilometres
left turn at km. 198. The cave is famous for pre-historic color paintings.
Location : Amphoe Mueang
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.
Sai Ngam
Location : Amphoe Mueang
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.
Lam Takhong Dam
Location : Amphoe Sikhio Located on the edge of Friendship Highway (Mittraphap
Road), forming a large reservoir with a capacity of 310 cubic metres 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
Location : Amphoe Pak Thong Chai It is situated in Pak Thong
Chai District, some 28 kilometres from the main highway. From the dam, boats
can also be hired for going another 23 kilometres up to the reservoir.
Location : Amphoe MueangMiss 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.
Location : Amphoe MueangThe 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 Prince 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.
Haew Narok Waterfall
Location : Amphoe Pak Chong
Haew Narok Waterfall is the biggest waterfall in Khao Yai National Park. 3 cascades gush down in
90 degree angle. The top tier is 60 metres and flows down to second floor, third floor and to the
ravine down below. The total height is more than 150 metres. The waterfall has rapid stream and
high volume of water during rainy season.
How to get there: Take Highway No.2 (Mitraphab Road) from Saraburi town centre and head to
Nakhon Ratchasima at km 144 marker. The distance is around 37.7 km. Take the most right lanes
to make a u-turn then go straight and turn left. Go straight until seeing the National Park ticket
office at the entrance of the park.
Haew Suwat Waterfall
Location : Amphoe Pak Chong
Haew Suwat Waterfall originates from Huay Lam Takhong, flowing from high cliff of 25 metres to
a basin underneath. During the dry season, when the water is low, visitors can walk to a small
cave below the cliff of the waterfall.
How to get there: Take Highway No.2 (Mitraphab Road) from Saraburi town centre and head to
Nakhon Ratchasima at km 144 marker. The distance is around 37.7 km. Take the most right
lanes to make a u-turn then go straight and turn left. Go straight until seeing the National
Park ticket office at the entrance of the park.
The waterfall is situated at the end of Thanarat Road inKhao Yai National Park and approximately
10 km from the National Park Office.
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