Nakhon Ratchasima (Thai: นครราชสีมา), often shortened to Korat or Khorat, is one of the north-eastern provinces (changwat) of Thailand.

The capital of the province is the city of Nakhon Ratchasima, also called Korat or Khorat.

The province is located on the western end of the Khorat Plateau, separated from the Chao Phraya river valley by the Phetchabun and Dong Phaya Yen mountain ranges. Two national parks are in the province - the Khao Yai in the west and the Thab Lan in the south.

The area around Korat was an important center already in the times of the Khmer empire in the 11th century, as can be seen by the temple ruins in the Phimai historical park.

The provincial seal shows a monument of Thao Suranaree (1772-1852), the local hero of the province. She was the wife of the governmental councillor, when in 1826 she gathered the local people to assist the Thai army to fight the Laotian King Anouvong. King Rama III gave her the honorary title Tao Suranaree in recognition of her bravery.

The provincial tree is Millettia leucantha

The province is subdivided into 26 districts (Amphoe) and 6 minor districts (King Amphoe). The districts are further subdivided into 293 communes (tambon) and 3423 villages (muban).

Extracted from Wikipedia: Nakhon Ratchasima Province

I have been to Korat 4 times. Its a great place. Its changing constantly and is getting very affluent.
A very busy city but no where near as bad as BKK.

The people are lovely. They see less farangs and those they see normally have TGFs or wives.
Although it was a big US base, in fact its where US servicemen first left to visit what is now Pattaya.

It remains essentially Thai. That means its friendly. The people are polite. Foreigners are welcomed and the service is fantastic.

Great place.

Anyone ever spend any time in Pak Chong?
I met an English guy there recently and asked him what he did.
He replied, 'I die a little more every day'
Anyone know any different?

How would you compare Korat to Pattaya size wise? The map makes it look simple. Would you recommend using Korat or Khon Kaen as a base and then tour the region from there? Thanks.

korat is also known forits stoneware.some of the carved reliefs on stone are fantastic.you can get lost just looking at them.relativly inexpensive also.

Yes not a bad place, no way as busy as Pattaya but loads of things to do and cheap too!

What are the things you have got up to there ?? Usually i am fairly bored there although i also feel at home there - its peaceful (off of the main roads!). I usually end up in the shoping centre or the brilliant swimming pool on the roof. Whent to the big temple ruins (but i have seen to many temples now), whent to a fairly good club (but then last time whent to a realy crap one where there were about 10 people), good for off roading......love to hear what you get up to ???????????? mwx