Nakhon Ratchasima Hotels

The gateway to much of Isan’s inherent splendour is the capital of Nakhon Ratchasima province and district. Known alternatively as Nakhon Ratchasima or Khorat, the small city is the pulse point of a compact urban area that totals close to half a million inhabitants.

While many of Khorat’s bellwether gems of yore lie dormant under a layer of feverish, helter-skelter development, the news is not all bad for visitors eager to dig up some substance in the former Khmer Empire fiefdom. Several standout temples and museums emerge from the fray and, most happily, sublime points of interest like Phimai Historical Park, Khao Yai National Park and Dan Kwian Pottery Village all reside within the lush confines of Nakhon Ratchasima province.

Nakhon Ratchasima's Top 10

Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand

Nakhon Ratchasima is large city of around 200,000 people and is close to Bangkok, which makes it a good stopping point for travellers headed elsewhere in Thailand. It is full of varied tourist attractions and shopping centres.

Nakhon Ratchasima Attractions

• Phimai Historical Park
• Statue of Thao Suranaree of Nakhon Ratchasima
• His Majesty the King’s Sports Complex

Nakhon Ratchasima Activities

• Watch the annual Phimai boat races on the Moon River
• Play a round of golf at the beautiful Friendship Meadows Country Club
• See varied animals in their tropical environments at the Korat Zoo, outside of Nakhon Ratchasima

Nakhon Ratchasima Climate

The climate of Nakhon Ratchasima is divided into three time periods. February-May is the hot season, with temperatures near 40ºC and moderate rainfall. The rainy season lasts from May-October and dumps nearly 900 mm of rain during this period. The so-called cold season lasts from October-February, when the temperatures only average 30ºC.

Getting There & Around

Fly into Bangkok International Airport aboard a plane from any one of dozens of major airlines that service this stop. Get on Highway 1and stay on it until you reach the Saraburi Interchange. Turn right onto Highway 2 until it leads you to Nakhon Ratchasima.

As in many other Thai cities, there are various ways to get around in this town. Tuk-tuks are three-wheeled vehicles that function as taxis, as do motorbikes and rickshaws.

Nakhon Ratchsima Events

Isan’s strong Lao identity ensures the presence of several colourful folk festivals throughout the year. Temples are often the venue of choice for such celebrations and especially for traditional mor lam and kantrum musical performances.

Important festivals in Isan include the Rocket Festival of Yasothon province.

The Candle Festival is a major Theravada rite in July.

The Khon Kaen Silk Festival is a ten day affair in November and December.

Nakhon Ratchasima hosts a festival in tribute to Thao Suranari, the woman who led a successful revolt against Lao soldiers from Vientiane in 1826, every year from March 23 to April 3.

When To Go

You can tell a lot about a city’s climate by how locals define the cold season. In Nakhon Ratchasima, it corresponds to temperatures in the 64°F (18°C) to 88°F (31°C) range and occurs from October to January. Not exactly frigid.

Yet in comparison to torrid February, March, April and May, when temperatures hover from 73°F (23°C) to 95°F (35°C), it makes a little more sense. Still, it is nigh on impossible to escape the heat in this part of tropical Thailand.

The rainy season from late May to early October features peak precipitation in the month of September.