Nakhon Ratchasima

Nakhon Ratchasima (นครราชสีมา), usually referred to as Khorat (โคราช) or, more commonly Korat, is the largest city in the Isaan region of Thailand. Its proximity to Bangkok and Isaan make it a good jumping-off point for travellers who are heading into Isaan. It has excellent transport links to the rest of the country and beyond. Hwy 2 (Bangkok to Nong Khai) runs through the city, as does the northeast railway line which splits in the east of the city: one line runs up to Nong Khai and the other, to Ubon Ratchathani. There are buses which run to just about every city in the northern, northeastern, and eastern regions. You can even get buses to Vientiane in Laos and to the Cambodian border at Aranyaprathet.

The city itself has a population of around 200,000 (Nai Muang district), but the entire urban sprawl of the Nakhon Ratchasima metropolitan area (Muang Nakhon Ratchasima) has a population of approaching half a million. Despite the size of the city, it is not a favoured holiday destination for the average foreign traveller. Instead, visitors are more likely to base themselves in the city as they visit nearby tourist destinations such as Khao Yai National Park, Phimai, and Phanom Rung.

The modern-day city traces its roots back to the late seventeenth century when King Narai of Ayutthaya ordered the construction of the city to protect the Ayutthaya Kingdom's northeastern frontier from Laotian or Khmer attack. It was just such a Laotian attack that was defeated by local heroine Thao Suranaree in 1826. She, and her army, are credited with freeing the city from King Anouvong's Laotian forces. These exploits have lifted 'Yamo' to almost god-like status in Korat. Her statue, in the centre of the city on Ratchadamnoen Rd, is the most visited attraction in the city.

The city continued to grow, helped by the arrival of the railway in the early twentieth century, and, today, is a typical Thai mix of chaos, pollution, and tradition.

Korat is classified as having the three tropical seasons of hot, rainy and cool (or sometimes dry). But the seasons overlap considerably, and the rainy and hot seasons occur almost simultaneously while the cool/dry season is quite short. In generally during Nov, Dec, and Jan it's very dry and relatively cool, although daytime temperatures will still often exceed 30 degrees C. Mar-Jun are the four hottest months but there can be heavy rains during this time, particularly in May. The temperatures decreases slightly each month as the area moves into the rainy season. Aug-Oct are the wettest months but tropical storms may be experienced any time between Mar-Oct. The downpours end as Oct ends: the rainfall in Nov is just 20% that of Oct.

The city, with its traffic and concrete, will be a little hotter than the rest of the province. And days in Apr and May can be unbearably hot amidst the urban jungle. Conversely, it can be surprisingly cool between Nov-Jan. It's not unusual for temperatures at night in the city to drop below fifteen degrees Celsius in the cool season, while out in the rural areas, single-digit temperatures are not unknown.

The main road into the city is Hwy 2 (Mittraphap Rd) which originates in Saraburi and terminates in Nong Khai. The mall, Tesco Lotus and several hotels are next to it. Shortly after the mall, it bears left, goes past the main bus station and onto Khon Kaen. To the north of the city it joins up with the bypass also known, somewhat confusingly, as Hwy 2.

The road network within the city is, for the most part, an American-style grid system. Therefore, once you are familiar with the place, it is easy to find your way around. But if you are new in town it can be a nightmare as every road looks the same. This is particularly the case in the moated historic centre of the city.

The moat encloses the original city, almost a perfect rectangle, one and a half km by one km, and consists of seven main roads that run east to west: Phonsaen, Yommarat, Assadang, Chomphon, Mahat Thai, Supphasit, and Kamheng-Songkhram, and six main roads that run north to south: Chumphon (not to be confused with Chomphon), Jagkree, Manat, Pratchak, Kudan, and Phonlan.

The English spelling of Thai words is an inexact science so don't be surprised to see variations on these spellings in different guide books, on maps and on street signs. For example, Jagkree is sometimes spelled Chakrii; Phonsaen can be Polsan; Chomphon can be Jompol; Supphasit may have no h; Assadang may have a t replacing one s; Pratchak may have no t, and so on.

To add to your confusion, the names of Jagkree Rd and Pratchak Rd change south of their intersections with Chomphon Rd: to Watchara Sarit Rd and Chai Narong Rd respectively.

The obvious geographical reference point for travellers is the statue of Thao Suranaree (or Yamo). Every tuk-tuk, motorbike taxi, songthaew and taxi driver will understand "Yamo" so you shouldn't have any problem getting there. She stands between Chumphon and Ratchadamnoen Rd. Both of these are one-way streets and from Ratchadamnoen you can catch songthaews to just about every part of the city. Ratchadamnoen ends where it meets Hwy 224. Turn left onto Hwy 224 and it becomes Hwy 2 (Mittraphap) after about a kilometre. Turn right, and Hwy 224 takes you east and then south towards Dan Kwian pottery village and Chok Chai. At Chok Chai (30 km south of the city) Hwy 224 crosses Hwy 24 which goes to Buriram, Surin, and Ubon Ratchathani.

Three main roads lead off Ratchadamnoen: Chomsurangyat, Pho Klang and Suranaree. These are busy two-way thoroughfares and all three converge a kilometre and a half west of Yamo to form Mukmontri Rd which leads back to Hwy 2.

• Archaeological Site At Ban Prasat. Ancient Bronze Age artifacts in a burial site dating back 3,000 years.
• Dan Kwain. Famous for its rough textures and rust-like pottery glazes.
• Khao Yai National Park. Thailand's first national park. Has four different provinces which includes 3,000 species of plants, 200 wild elephants, tigers, gibbons, bears, deer, bats, wild pigs, birds. Lodge houses range from 1,200 baht. Youth Camps range from 10 to 20 baht. Camping rate from 5 baht with your own tent. 200 baht for adults and 100 baht for children.
• Maha Weerawong Museum, Ratchadamnoen Rd (From Yamo statue, walk up Ratchadamnoen, i.e., against the flow of traffic. Go straight across the junction with Chomsurangyat, go straight on for another 100 m, turn right onto the lane/soi which bisects the library. The museum is behind the library. W-Su, 09:00-16:00. A small, quiet place, it contains mainly ancient Buddha statues and icons. Chairs used by several Thai kings and queens on their visits to Korat are among the more interesting items. The museum closes for all public holidays. 50 baht (10 baht for Thais).
• Nakhon Ratchasima FC, 80th Birthday Stadium, SEA Games Sports Park, Hwy 304 (Go W on Hwy 2, Mittraphap Rd, and join Hwy 304 about 1 km after the Sima Thani Hotel. The stadium turning is on the right after about 3.5 km. Songthaew 4129, bound for the zoo, goes past the entrance to the site but this still leaves a lengthy walk to the stadium and it may be difficult to get a songthaew back after 19:00. Taxi would be best, +66 44 289626. Take in a local football match in Korat at one of the best stadiums in the country. The local team plays in the Northeast Division of the Regional League. The regular season runs from Feb-Sep (but play-offs may extend it). The stadium and surrounding sports facilities were purpose-built for the 2007 Southeast Asian Games. 50 baht.
• Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo, +66 44 934648. Daily, 08:00-17:00. Korat Zoo is one of the biggest in Thailand and, cliché or not, it really is a great day out. The zoo, some 20 km from the city centre, is set in the countryside. As such, the site is huge. The animals live in vast, sprawling natural habitats (except for the snakes) and many of them can be hand fed. Lions, tigers, elephants, bears, giraffes, zebras, chimpanzees, rhinos, cheetahs, wildebeest, alligators, antelope and many, many more species can be found here. Bicycles can be hired to tour the zoo or you can catch the sight-seeing bus for 20 baht. Electric carts (actually, former golf buggies) can also be hired to get around the zoo at a rather pricey 300 baht per hour. The zebras, giraffes, elephants and chimpanzees can be fed with bananas, 20 baht per bunch. There are, of course, many cafes and snack shops dotted around the site. Entrance to "Korat Zoo Lagoon" comes at no extra charge. Swimming caps are compulsory and adults may feel a little out of place in this child-friendly leisure pool. Adults 100 baht, children 50 baht. (Thais 70/15 baht). 50 baht per car, 10 baht per motorbike.
• Prasat Hin Phanom Wan. Khmer stupa built of sandstone.
• Prasat Hin Phi Mai. Stone Khmer temple complex in Phi Mai. Excellent museum as well.
• Prasat Nang Ram. Khmer-style, originally meant to be a nursing place during the 12th century.
• Sai Ngam. On the bank of the Moon River. Includes some of the largest banyan trees in Thailand. Short motorbike taxi trip from Prasat Hin Phi Mai.
• Statue of Thao Suranaree., Ratchadamnoen Rd/Chumphon Rd (From Mittraphap Rd (Hwy 2) head E and turn right onto Chumphon Rd just past IT City. The statue is halfway up Chumphon on the right. Open 24 hours. The statue stands in a pedestrianized municipal area between Ratchadamnoen and Chumphon Rd. Day and night, Thais will kneel before the statue and pray before making offerings of incense and flowers (purchased for twenty baht from an adjacent hut). It's fine to take photos of the statue but take your shoes off before ascending the steps. You can also have your photo taken by one of many professional photographers who loiter around the statue. This service should cost 50 baht and your picture will be printed out there and then on a portable digital printer. Free (20 baht for incense, candle and flower offering, 50 baht for photo).
• Thao Suranaree Bravery Light and Sound Performance Building, Municipal area, Chumphon Rd (From Hwy 224, turn right onto Chumphon Rd. This small, white building, designed to look like a section of the old city wall, is halfway up Chumphon on the right, just before the turning for Assadang Rd. Tu-Su, 09:00-18:00. A rather strange attraction, this one-room museum/art exhibit documents the story of Thao Suranaree (Yamo) through the medium of miniature models. Village and battle scenes are recreated in minute detail and run the length of one wall. On the opposite side of the room is a hugely impressive wall-mounted sculpture, in high relief, of a battle scene. Yamo is near the middle of the scene. On the walls and pillars are some of the oldest photos in existence of the city. Free.
• Wat Phra Narai Maharat, Assadang/Chomphon Rd (Travel E along Assadang, go straight across three sets of lights. The lake and temple are on your right shortly after the third set of lights. Best songthaew to get is a Number 1. Catch it at the corner of Chumphon and Chomphon Rd immediately behind Yamo and the Chomphon Gate. Again, you'll go across three sets of lights, the junctions with Jagree, Manat and Pratchak Rd. The red and gold archway entrance to the temple is on your left about 100 m after the Pratchak junction. Dawn-Dusk. One of the most famous temples in Korat. This one is notable for its lake and island temple. Within the building is an ancient sandstone statue of the Hindu god Vishnu. You can cross the bridge and walk around the island but can not enter the building which houses Vishnu. Also, you may see huge water monitor lizards in the undergrowth or in the water. These things are as big as crocodiles, but are generally safe, and provide a surprising photo opportunity in the centre of the city.
• Wat Sala Loi. Chapel shaped like a Chinese junk.

• Miss Boonlua Memorial. Commemorates Miss Boonlua and the people of Nakhon Ratchasima who died in the battle of Thung Samrit in 1826.
• Phimai Boat Races. Takes place on the Moon River near the old Khmer city of Phimai and are held yearly by the people of Phimai during the second weekend of Nov. This event includes boats decorated competitions and stalls selling local products.
• Phimai Festival. Held at the same time as the Phimai boat Races in Phimai Historical Park. This events includes light and sound presentation of Buddhist, historical, and cultural exhibitions.
• Thao Suranari Commemoration. Held from 23 Mar-2 Apr to commemorate the victory of Thao Suranari. This event includes cultural displays, exhibitions, and fireworks.

Miss Boonlua Memorial. Commemorates Miss Boonlua and the people of Nakhon Ratchasima who died in the battle of Thung Samrit in 1826.

Phimai Boat Races. Takes place on the Moon River near the old Khmer city of Phimai and are held yearly by the people of Phimai during the second weekend of Nov. This event includes boats decorated competitions and stalls selling local products.

Phimai Festival. Held at the same time as the Phimai boat Races in Phimai Historical Park. This events includes light and sound presentation of Buddhist, historical, and cultural exhibitions.

Thao Suranari Commemoration. Held from 23 Mar-2 Apr to commemorate the victory of Thao Suranari. This event includes cultural displays, exhibitions, and fireworks.

Archaeological Site At Ban Prasat. Ancient Bronze Age artifacts in a burial site dating back 3,000 years.

Dan Kwain. Famous for its rough textures and rust-like pottery glazes.

Khao Yai National Park. Thailand's first national park. Has four different provinces which includes 3,000 species of plants, 200 wild elephants, tigers, gibbons, bears, deer, bats, wild pigs, birds. Lodge houses range from 1,200 baht. Youth Camps range from 10 to 20 baht. Camping rate from 5 baht with your own tent. 200 baht for adults and 100 baht for children.

Maha Weerawong Museum, Ratchadamnoen Rd (From Yamo statue, walk up Ratchadamnoen, i.e., against the flow of traffic. Go straight across the junction with Chomsurangyat, go straight on for another 100 m, turn right onto the lane/soi which bisects the library. The museum is behind the library. W-Su, 09:00-16:00. A small, quiet place, it contains mainly ancient Buddha statues and icons. Chairs used by several Thai kings and queens on their visits to Korat are among the more interesting items. The museum closes for all public holidays. 50 baht (10 baht for Thais).

Nakhon Ratchasima FC, 80th Birthday Stadium, SEA Games Sports Park, Hwy 304 (Go W on Hwy 2, Mittraphap Rd, and join Hwy 304 about 1 km after the Sima Thani Hotel. The stadium turning is on the right after about 3.5 km. Songthaew 4129, bound for the zoo, goes past the entrance to the site but this still leaves a lengthy walk to the stadium and it may be difficult to get a songthaew back after 19:00. Taxi would be best, +66 44 289626. Take in a local football match in Korat at one of the best stadiums in the country. The local team plays in the Northeast Division of the Regional League. The regular season runs from Feb-Sep (but play-offs may extend it). The stadium and surrounding sports facilities were purpose-built for the 2007 Southeast Asian Games. 50 baht.

Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo, +66 44 934648. Daily, 08:00-17:00. Korat Zoo is one of the biggest in Thailand and, cliché or not, it really is a great day out. The zoo, some 20 km from the city centre, is set in the countryside. As such, the site is huge. The animals live in vast, sprawling natural habitats (except for the snakes) and many of them can be hand fed. Lions, tigers, elephants, bears, giraffes, zebras, chimpanzees, rhinos, cheetahs, wildebeest, alligators, antelope and many, many more species can be found here. Bicycles can be hired to tour the zoo or you can catch the sight-seeing bus for 20 baht. Electric carts (actually, former golf buggies) can also be hired to get around the zoo at a rather pricey 300 baht per hour. The zebras, giraffes, elephants and chimpanzees can be fed with bananas, 20 baht per bunch. There are, of course, many cafes and snack shops dotted around the site. Entrance to "Korat Zoo Lagoon" comes at no extra charge. Swimming caps are compulsory and adults may feel a little out of place in this child-friendly leisure pool. Adults 100 baht, children 50 baht. (Thais 70/15 baht). 50 baht per car, 10 baht per motorbike.

Prasat Hin Phanom Wan. Khmer stupa built of sandstone.

Prasat Hin Phi Mai. Stone Khmer temple complex in Phi Mai. Excellent museum as well.

Prasat Nang Ram. Khmer-style, originally meant to be a nursing place during the 12th century.

Sai Ngam. On the bank of the Moon River. Includes some of the largest banyan trees in Thailand. Short motorbike taxi trip from Prasat Hin Phi Mai.

Statue of Thao Suranaree., Ratchadamnoen Rd/Chumphon Rd (From Mittraphap Rd (Hwy 2) head E and turn right onto Chumphon Rd just past IT City. The statue is halfway up Chumphon on the right. Open 24 hours. The statue stands in a pedestrianized municipal area between Ratchadamnoen and Chumphon Rd. Day and night, Thais will kneel before the statue and pray before making offerings of incense and flowers (purchased for twenty baht from an adjacent hut). It's fine to take photos of the statue but take your shoes off before ascending the steps. You can also have your photo taken by one of many professional photographers who loiter around the statue. This service should cost 50 baht and your picture will be printed out there and then on a portable digital printer. Free (20 baht for incense, candle and flower offering, 50 baht for photo).

Thao Suranaree Bravery Light and Sound Performance Building, Municipal area, Chumphon Rd (From Hwy 224, turn right onto Chumphon Rd. This small, white building, designed to look like a section of the old city wall, is halfway up Chumphon on the right, just before the turning for Assadang Rd. Tu-Su, 09:00-18:00. A rather strange attraction, this one-room museum/art exhibit documents the story of Thao Suranaree (Yamo) through the medium of miniature models. Village and battle scenes are recreated in minute detail and run the length of one wall. On the opposite side of the room is a hugely impressive wall-mounted sculpture, in high relief, of a battle scene. Yamo is near the middle of the scene. On the walls and pillars are some of the oldest photos in existence of the city. Free.

Wat Phra Narai Maharat, Assadang/Chomphon Rd (Travel E along Assadang, go straight across three sets of lights. The lake and temple are on your right shortly after the third set of lights. Best songthaew to get is a Number 1. Catch it at the corner of Chumphon and Chomphon Rd immediately behind Yamo and the Chomphon Gate. Again, you'll go across three sets of lights, the junctions with Jagree, Manat and Pratchak Rd. The red and gold archway entrance to the temple is on your left about 100 m after the Pratchak junction. Dawn-Dusk. One of the most famous temples in Korat. This one is notable for its lake and island temple. Within the building is an ancient sandstone statue of the Hindu god Vishnu. You can cross the bridge and walk around the island but can not enter the building which houses Vishnu. Also, you may see huge water monitor lizards in the undergrowth or in the water. These things are as big as crocodiles, but are generally safe, and provide a surprising photo opportunity in the centre of the city.

Wat Sala Loi. Chapel shaped like a Chinese junk.

• Golf. The Country Club Khao Yai starts at 250 baht for guests and 500 baht for visitors; Friendship Meadows Country Club ranges from 600 baht for guests to 800 baht for visitors on weekdays, 400 baht more on weekends; Misson Hills Golf Club Khao Yai ranges from 800 baht for guests and 600 baht for visitors; Rooks Korat Country Club Golf & Resort starts at 500 baht for both guests and visitors; Voyage Panorama Resort and Golf Club starts at 500 baht for guests and visitors on weekdays and 800 baht on weekends.
• Jogging. Landscaped jogging park near the military base.
• Thao Suranaree Municipal Area. Daily, 24 hrs. The municipal area (sometimes referred to as a park) is a long pedestrianized strip sandwiched between Chumphon and Ratchadamnoen Rds. It runs nearly the full length of Chumphon Rd from the junction with Hwy 224 up to the Yamo monument. It's one of the best places in Korat for an evening stroll. Best place to start your walk is at the northern end (Hwy 224) at the 'Yamo Entrance' (see main photo at the top of this article). You will pass a short section of moat. Wat Phayap is on your left, and then come to the start of the pedestrianized area. Here, a raised water course follows the line of the long-gone moat and city wall. As you continue your walk you will pass the 'Light and Sound Performance Building' (see See) on your left and, near to that, a reconstructed section of the city wall complete with explanatory plaque in English. Further up the municipal area you will come to an amphitheatre and, beyond, the statue of Yamo and the Chomphon Gate. Beyond here, the moat recommences.
• Volunteer. Dragonfly Volunteer Projects operates out of Korat and arranges volunteering opportunities in schools and orphanages across Isaan.
• Waterslide Park. Has an Olympic-sized pool, great to do some laps and stay in shape.

Golf. The Country Club Khao Yai starts at 250 baht for guests and 500 baht for visitors; Friendship Meadows Country Club ranges from 600 baht for guests to 800 baht for visitors on weekdays, 400 baht more on weekends; Misson Hills Golf Club Khao Yai ranges from 800 baht for guests and 600 baht for visitors; Rooks Korat Country Club Golf & Resort starts at 500 baht for both guests and visitors; Voyage Panorama Resort and Golf Club starts at 500 baht for guests and visitors on weekdays and 800 baht on weekends.

Jogging. Landscaped jogging park near the military base.

Thao Suranaree Municipal Area. Daily, 24 hrs. The municipal area (sometimes referred to as a park) is a long pedestrianized strip sandwiched between Chumphon and Ratchadamnoen Rds. It runs nearly the full length of Chumphon Rd from the junction with Hwy 224 up to the Yamo monument. It's one of the best places in Korat for an evening stroll. Best place to start your walk is at the northern end (Hwy 224) at the 'Yamo Entrance' (see main photo at the top of this article). You will pass a short section of moat. Wat Phayap is on your left, and then come to the start of the pedestrianized area. Here, a raised water course follows the line of the long-gone moat and city wall. As you continue your walk you will pass the 'Light and Sound Performance Building' (see See) on your left and, near to that, a reconstructed section of the city wall complete with explanatory plaque in English. Further up the municipal area you will come to an amphitheatre and, beyond, the statue of Yamo and the Chomphon Gate. Beyond here, the moat recommences.

Volunteer. Dragonfly Volunteer Projects operates out of Korat and arranges volunteering opportunities in schools and orphanages across Isaan.

Waterslide Park. Has an Olympic-sized pool, great to do some laps and stay in shape.

Nakhon Ratchasima has the usual Thai mix of modern department stores, malls and supermarkets; large covered day markets; night markets and smaller street markets. All are easily reached by public transport. Some of the markets may take a bit more finding but are always well worth the effort. The sights, sounds and smells in a Thai market can make your head spin but they are a "must-do" if you've never experienced them before.

All the modern malls are open seven days a week. Most small, independent shops are open at least six days a week and often seven. Remember, this isn't Pattaya or Bangkok, though. Most small shops close at eight at the latest and roads which are busy, shopping thoroughfares by day can be almost deserted by 21:00. But don't despair; there are always the night markets!

• Mae Kim Heng Market, Pho Klang Rd (The closest market to Yamo. Turn onto Pho Klang opposite the statue of Yamo. The market is about 100 m down the road on your right. There are also entrances on Suranaree Rd and Buarong Rd. Daily, 24 hrs, most stalls are closed at night. One of the largest indoor markets in Korat, Mae Kim Heng sells food: both fresh produce and prepared dishes. Get there early (06:00-) and you can buy some typical Thai breakfast fare: satays, grilled chicken and warm soya milk with doughnuts for dipping. Viewed from the Pho Klang entrance, the market can be divided into three main sections: fresh meat and fish on the left-hand side, fruit & veg and pre-cooked food down the middle and small restaurants down the right-hand side. At the Suranaree Rd-end of the market there is a clothes section, and next to that, just where the market spills out onto the street, are two very popular 'OTOP' grilled chicken and sticky rice stalls. Stalls selling fruit, veg, fish and meat then continue down the pavement on Suranaree Rd towards the junction with Ratchadamnoen Rd. These stalls set up mid-morning, and here you can experience some of the hustle and bustle missing from the main market.
• Night Bazaar 1, Manat Rd (Travel E along Chomphon Rd, go straight across the junction with Jagree Rd. The market is on your right at the next junction. It is on the stretch of Manat Rd between Chomphon and Mahat Thai Rd. Daily, 18:00-late. Mainly sells clothes and accessories, and a little food. It's well-known throughout the city but you may be left wondering why. There's nothing on sale here that can't be found at myriad markets and stalls all over the city and it's pretty small, too.
• Wat Boon Night Bazaar. Daily, 18:00-late. A bigger, more relaxed market than the crowded, narrow Night Bazaar 1. This one mainly sells food but has some clothing and other goods.

Mae Kim Heng Market, Pho Klang Rd (The closest market to Yamo. Turn onto Pho Klang opposite the statue of Yamo. The market is about 100 m down the road on your right. There are also entrances on Suranaree Rd and Buarong Rd. Daily, 24 hrs, most stalls are closed at night. One of the largest indoor markets in Korat, Mae Kim Heng sells food: both fresh produce and prepared dishes. Get there early (06:00-) and you can buy some typical Thai breakfast fare: satays, grilled chicken and warm soya milk with doughnuts for dipping. Viewed from the Pho Klang entrance, the market can be divided into three main sections: fresh meat and fish on the left-hand side, fruit & veg and pre-cooked food down the middle and small restaurants down the right-hand side. At the Suranaree Rd-end of the market there is a clothes section, and next to that, just where the market spills out onto the street, are two very popular 'OTOP' grilled chicken and sticky rice stalls. Stalls selling fruit, veg, fish and meat then continue down the pavement on Suranaree Rd towards the junction with Ratchadamnoen Rd. These stalls set up mid-morning, and here you can experience some of the hustle and bustle missing from the main market.

Night Bazaar 1, Manat Rd (Travel E along Chomphon Rd, go straight across the junction with Jagree Rd. The market is on your right at the next junction. It is on the stretch of Manat Rd between Chomphon and Mahat Thai Rd. Daily, 18:00-late. Mainly sells clothes and accessories, and a little food. It's well-known throughout the city but you may be left wondering why. There's nothing on sale here that can't be found at myriad markets and stalls all over the city and it's pretty small, too.

Wat Boon Night Bazaar. Daily, 18:00-late. A bigger, more relaxed market than the crowded, narrow Night Bazaar 1. This one mainly sells food but has some clothing and other goods.

• Big C, 118 Mittraphap Rd (Follow Mittraphap as it bears left shortly after The Mall, signposted Khon Kaen & Udon Thani, Big C is on the right after a couple of hundred metres, +66 44 295050. Daily, 09:00-23:00. This large superstore (officially a "supercenter") has restaurants, banks, clothes shops, jewellery shops and more on the ground floor and a supermarket on the first floor. As with most modern supermarkets, it sells a lot more than food and drink. Clothes, furniture, household appliances, even motorbikes can all be found on the first floor. Tuk-tuks and motorbike taxis wait outside and songthaews 7 and 15 will get you back to the city centre.
• IT Plaza, 324 Mittraphap Rd/Hwy 224 (On Hwy 224 near the junctions with Chumphon and Ratchadamnoen Rds, +66 44 269717. Daily, 10:00-20:30. IT Plaza (sometimes mistakenly referred to as IT City; IT City is a large shop within IT Plaza) is a technology-only department store. The main entrance is on the first floor and is reached by a footbridge over Mittraphap. The ground floor is mainly taken up by mobile phone shops. The first and second floors are occupied by shops selling computers and related accessories. There is a Hot Pot restaurant in the basement/lower-ground floor. For a 21st century high-tech superstore, it's actually quite dated and tired inside with cracked and missing floor tiles; tatty, chipped walls and lots of vacant shops. In fact, the empty shops and completely unused third floor tell you that residents are doing their electronics shopping elsewhere these days. Indeed, everything that IT sells can be found in much nicer surroundings at The Mall or Klang Plaza Chomsurang.
• Klang Plaza Assadang, Assadang Rd (From the W, Hwy 224, turn right onto Chumphon Rd, take the third left on Chumphon (Assadang Rd), go straight across the intersection with Jagree Rd and it is on your right, opposite the Korat Hotel, +66 44 244771. Daily, 10:00-21:00. This is the original Klang Plaza, built in 1976. It was one of the biggest department stores in the northeast when it opened. It has most of the same shops and departments that its younger brother has (except for technology stores) but on a much smaller scale. Walk down the soi behind the shop and onto Chomphon Rd to catch songthaews 1, 8, or 12 back to the centre/Yamo area.
• Klang Plaza Chomsurangyat, corner of Ratchadamnoen and Chomsurangyat (Stand in front of Yamo, facing Ratchadamnoen Rd, and look left, +66 44 260111. Daily, 10:0-21:00. This building, staggeringly huge by Korat standards, utterly dominates the downtown/city centre area. It is about 100 m from Yamo but directions are superfluous: you really can't miss it. The more useful points of interest include: a supermarket, food hall and various restaurants on the ground floor and another food hall on the fifth floor; coin-operated Internet access on the fifth floor; a kids' play area, including miniature railway on the sixth floor and an exhibition hall often used for sports events on the seventh floor.
• The Mall, Mittraphap Rd (Hwy 2) (From the W (Bangkok) The Mall is on the left halfway between Tesco Lotus and the Hwy 2 and 224 intersection, +66 44 231000. Daily, 10:00-21:00. A popular daytime haunt for the more affluent members of Korat society. The sprawling complex, which has just had another floor added, has all you would expect of such a place: Western restaurants (including the only McDonalds in the whole city), fashion boutiques, a supermarket, cinema, a large food hall, an outdoor swimming pool, and so on. After window shopping upstairs, head down into the basement/lower-ground floor level where you will find many small independent shops and stalls selling clothes for a fraction of the price of those upstairs.
• Tesco Lotus, 719/5 Mittraphap Rd (Hwy 2) (Halfway between The Mall and the Sima Thani Hotel on Hwy 2, +66 44 26370024. Daily, 06:00-23:00. The newest addition to the Korat retail landscape, Lotus is similar to Big C in that there are small shops on the ground floor and a huge hypermarket on the first floor. Songthaews 6 and 4129, among others, will get you there from the city centre. Beware! You have to cross the ten lanes of Hwy 2 to get a songthaew back to the city centre. Tuk-tuks and motorcycle taxis also wait out the front, and it's also a good place to catch a bus to Pak Chong or Pak Thong Chai if you don't want to go to the old bus station.

Big C, 118 Mittraphap Rd (Follow Mittraphap as it bears left shortly after The Mall, signposted Khon Kaen & Udon Thani, Big C is on the right after a couple of hundred metres, +66 44 295050. Daily, 09:00-23:00. This large superstore (officially a "supercenter") has restaurants, banks, clothes shops, jewellery shops and more on the ground floor and a supermarket on the first floor. As with most modern supermarkets, it sells a lot more than food and drink. Clothes, furniture, household appliances, even motorbikes can all be found on the first floor. Tuk-tuks and motorbike taxis wait outside and songthaews 7 and 15 will get you back to the city centre.

IT Plaza, 324 Mittraphap Rd/Hwy 224 (On Hwy 224 near the junctions with Chumphon and Ratchadamnoen Rds, +66 44 269717. Daily, 10:00-20:30. IT Plaza (sometimes mistakenly referred to as IT City; IT City is a large shop within IT Plaza) is a technology-only department store. The main entrance is on the first floor and is reached by a footbridge over Mittraphap. The ground floor is mainly taken up by mobile phone shops. The first and second floors are occupied by shops selling computers and related accessories. There is a Hot Pot restaurant in the basement/lower-ground floor. For a 21st century high-tech superstore, it's actually quite dated and tired inside with cracked and missing floor tiles; tatty, chipped walls and lots of vacant shops. In fact, the empty shops and completely unused third floor tell you that residents are doing their electronics shopping elsewhere these days. Indeed, everything that IT sells can be found in much nicer surroundings at The Mall or Klang Plaza Chomsurang.

Klang Plaza Assadang, Assadang Rd (From the W, Hwy 224, turn right onto Chumphon Rd, take the third left on Chumphon (Assadang Rd), go straight across the intersection with Jagree Rd and it is on your right, opposite the Korat Hotel, +66 44 244771. Daily, 10:00-21:00. This is the original Klang Plaza, built in 1976. It was one of the biggest department stores in the northeast when it opened. It has most of the same shops and departments that its younger brother has (except for technology stores) but on a much smaller scale. Walk down the soi behind the shop and onto Chomphon Rd to catch songthaews 1, 8, or 12 back to the centre/Yamo area.

Klang Plaza Chomsurangyat, corner of Ratchadamnoen and Chomsurangyat (Stand in front of Yamo, facing Ratchadamnoen Rd, and look left, +66 44 260111. Daily, 10:0-21:00. This building, staggeringly huge by Korat standards, utterly dominates the downtown/city centre area. It is about 100 m from Yamo but directions are superfluous: you really can't miss it. The more useful points of interest include: a supermarket, food hall and various restaurants on the ground floor and another food hall on the fifth floor; coin-operated Internet access on the fifth floor; a kids' play area, including miniature railway on the sixth floor and an exhibition hall often used for sports events on the seventh floor.

The Mall, Mittraphap Rd (Hwy 2) (From the W (Bangkok) The Mall is on the left halfway between Tesco Lotus and the Hwy 2 and 224 intersection, +66 44 231000. Daily, 10:00-21:00. A popular daytime haunt for the more affluent members of Korat society. The sprawling complex, which has just had another floor added, has all you would expect of such a place: Western restaurants (including the only McDonalds in the whole city), fashion boutiques, a supermarket, cinema, a large food hall, an outdoor swimming pool, and so on. After window shopping upstairs, head down into the basement/lower-ground floor level where you will find many small independent shops and stalls selling clothes for a fraction of the price of those upstairs.

Tesco Lotus, 719/5 Mittraphap Rd (Hwy 2) (Halfway between The Mall and the Sima Thani Hotel on Hwy 2, +66 44 26370024. Daily, 06:00-23:00. The newest addition to the Korat retail landscape, Lotus is similar to Big C in that there are small shops on the ground floor and a huge hypermarket on the first floor. Songthaews 6 and 4129, among others, will get you there from the city centre. Beware! You have to cross the ten lanes of Hwy 2 to get a songthaew back to the city centre. Tuk-tuks and motorcycle taxis also wait out the front, and it's also a good place to catch a bus to Pak Chong or Pak Thong Chai if you don't want to go to the old bus station.

Never let it be said that you can't eat on a budget in Korat. The cheaper restaurants usually open during the day and can generally be divided into two groups: those which sell pre-cooked khao man gai, kwitiyao and khao moo daeng (boiled chicken & rice, noodle soup and red pork with rice), and those which have a menu and sell khao pad, pad Thai (fried rice, fried noodles) and so on. In the case of the former, you will see the cooked chickens and strips of red meat in a cabinet in front of the restaurant, and they usually just sell the aforementioned three meals. 25 baht is the going rate for one meal but you can push the boat out and pay 30 baht for a larger portion! The other type of restaurant will be able to prepare any Thai meal (within reason) and, again, 25 baht is usually the starting price. Pad krapao moo (spicy minced pork cooked with basil) and khanom chin (fresh rice noodles served with a spicy sauce and vegetables) are particularly popular in Korat. As is pad mee Korat a local, spicier variation on pad Thai. The budget restaurants listed below, therefore, offer something a little different to the khao man gai and kwitiyao eateries which abound on nearly every street.

• Cafe de Toom, 62 Chomsurangyat Rd (From Yamo, go up Ratchadamnoen Rd in the direction of Klang Plaza, turn right onto Chomsurangyat Rd, go past Klang Plaza and the post office, the restaurant is on your right next door to 7-11 just before the Chao Phaya Hotel. M-F, 08:00-mid-afternoon(or whenever everything has been sold). Different from most cheap Thai restaurants, this one only sells pre-cooked curries. There are eight to ten different types on display at the front counter ready to eat. Gaeng Massaman (Muslim curry) is sweet and not too spicy, and is thoroughly recommended. Price for all curries is 25-30 baht. The owner speaks good English and will whip you up a refreshing iced-tea or coffee. The board out front advertises an 'American Breakfast' for 90 baht, a concession made for the many farangs staying at the nearby Chao Phaya Hotel.
• Long Tua Steakhouse, Buarong Rd (from Yamo, turn left onto Suranree Rd, turn left at the first set of lights onto Buarong Rd, the restaurant is a few buildings down the road on your right directly opposite the Sri Vichai Hotel. Daily, 16:00-late. Thai-style steak and distinctive noodle soups in an informal and popular restaurant. A refreshingly small menu with just a dozen or so dishes on it (most Thai menus run to hundreds of dishes). Chicken and pork steaks are 50 baht and beef, 60 baht. French fries 39 baht. Vietnamese style noodle soup starts at 25 baht. All food is available to take away. A very popular place to watch football on the big screen so expect big crowds on Saturday and Sunday evenings.

Cafe de Toom, 62 Chomsurangyat Rd (From Yamo, go up Ratchadamnoen Rd in the direction of Klang Plaza, turn right onto Chomsurangyat Rd, go past Klang Plaza and the post office, the restaurant is on your right next door to 7-11 just before the Chao Phaya Hotel. M-F, 08:00-mid-afternoon(or whenever everything has been sold). Different from most cheap Thai restaurants, this one only sells pre-cooked curries. There are eight to ten different types on display at the front counter ready to eat. Gaeng Massaman (Muslim curry) is sweet and not too spicy, and is thoroughly recommended. Price for all curries is 25-30 baht. The owner speaks good English and will whip you up a refreshing iced-tea or coffee. The board out front advertises an 'American Breakfast' for 90 baht, a concession made for the many farangs staying at the nearby Chao Phaya Hotel.

Long Tua Steakhouse, Buarong Rd (from Yamo, turn left onto Suranree Rd, turn left at the first set of lights onto Buarong Rd, the restaurant is a few buildings down the road on your right directly opposite the Sri Vichai Hotel. Daily, 16:00-late. Thai-style steak and distinctive noodle soups in an informal and popular restaurant. A refreshingly small menu with just a dozen or so dishes on it (most Thai menus run to hundreds of dishes). Chicken and pork steaks are 50 baht and beef, 60 baht. French fries 39 baht. Vietnamese style noodle soup starts at 25 baht. All food is available to take away. A very popular place to watch football on the big screen so expect big crowds on Saturday and Sunday evenings.

Internet cafés are plentiful and typically charge around 10 baht/hour or 25 baht for three hours but the city is served by 4G cellular networks and high speed fiber internet is available across most of the city and its suburbs.

• Khao Yai National Park — largest national park of Thailand with fascinating animals, waterfalls and more
• Krabi — Lignite Tours has a daily bus from Korat to Krabi at 16:50. Fare is 876 baht (2016). Arrives Krabi about 08:00.
• Phimai — the historical Khmer remains
• Preah Vihear — amazing temple right on the border with Cambodia, no separate visa necessary to visit
• Surin — the annual elephant parade
• Aranyaprathet and Rongkleu Market — border crossing to Cambodia. There are 7 buses daily from the new bus station to Rongkluea market (05:30, 08:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00 and 18:00).

[[Aranyaprathet]] and Rongkleu Market — border crossing to Cambodia. There are 7 buses daily from the new bus station to Rongkluea market (05:30, 08:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00 and 18:00).