The province is located on the western end of the Korat 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 Thap Lan in the south. Both parks are in the forested mountains of the Sankamphaeng Range, the southern prolongation of the Dong Phaya Yen mountains. Nakhon Ratchasima, or Korat, is a large province on the north eastern plateau and acts as a gateway to other provinces in the Northeast. It is 259 kilometres ( 161 miles ) from Bangkok and has an area of around 20,494 square kilometres (7,913 sq mi), making it the biggest Thai province. The province is rich in Khmer culture and has a long history. The area around Khorat was already an important centre in the times of the Khmer empire in the 11th century, as can be seen by the temple ruins in the Phimai historical park. Still, Nakhon Ratchasima Province is one of the provinces where there is a sizable Northern Khmer population. A new walled-city with a surrounding moat, designated as Nakhon Ratchasima, was built in the seventeenth century by order of the King Narai, as the easternmost 'command post', guarding the Kingdom's border and supervising its Lao and Cambodian 'vassals.. It continued this duty during the Bangkok Period, although it was seized by deceit during Chao Anuwong of Vientiane's 1826 revolt against the King Rama III of Siam. Nakhon Ratchasima has long been the most important political and economic center in the northeastern region. In the late nineteenth century, the railroad reached Khorat became the junction of two main rail lines in the Northeastern, Issan, region. In 1933 it was the stronghold of the royalist troops in the Boworadej Revolt, as they fought against the new ostensibly democratic government in Bangkok. In the 1950s, the Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base was built in Nakhon Ratchasima; from 1961 until 26 February 1976, this facility was also used as a base by the United States Air Force. A monument to Thao Suranaree (real name: Khun Ying Mo; 1771–1852) is situated in front of the old Prau Chumpon gate. Also called The Great Heroine of Khorat, Kun Ying Mo was the wife of the Deputy Governor of Khorat during the reign of King Rama III. In 1826, Khun Ying Mo managed to save the city from an invasion by the Laotian army led by Prince Anouvong of Vientiane. King Rama III conferred the title of Thao Suranaree on Khun Ying Mo, as well as additional ones honouring her bravery. Roads Highway 2 (Mittraphap Road) is the main route that connects 9 districts in Nakhon Ratchasima including Muang district. This route also connects Nakhon Ratchasima to Saraburi and Khon Kaen provinces. As, Highway No. 24 links Si Khio district from the Highway 2 to Pak Thongcha, Chok Chai and Nong Bunnak districts and to Burirum province. Rail systems The railway system in Nakhon Ratchasima is on both north-eastern routes from Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong central terminal. Nakhon Ratchasima has 8 main railway stations. Bus service Mini-bus and bus routes operate in the city and nearby areas. There are non air-conditioned buses from the provincial town which go to every district. As for travel to nearby provinces, there are both air and non air-conditioned ones. Songthaew (public passenger pick-up vehicle) Songthaew or public passenger pick-up vehicle is the most popular mode of public transportation in all the town districts. These run on fixed routes. Taxis are plentiful, clean, safe, and inexpensive in Khorat. They can be found at taxi stands in the city areas or hailed on the streets. There are also certain taxis that can be requested by phone, however, the fare is slightly higher than regular taxis. An increasing number of taxi drivers nowadays speak some English which may prove extremely useful for first-time visitors. The fare system is based on both distance and time. Fares begin at 30 Bath for the first 2 kilometres. Motorbike-taxi The motorbike taxis are found mainly in the town areas and are used mainly for short distances. Airport Nakhon Ratchasima has one airport but as of June 2007, it no longer services any flights. The nearest airport is in Buri ram and has flights to and from Bangkok.

• published: 14 Sep 2014
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