| Some of the main
attractions in Khorat are Khmer ruins. Scattered
around the province, these products of ancient
wisdom shines through time. One of Thailand’s
finest Khmer ruins can be seen here next to
Mon and Lao sites. In addition, Khorat has an
abundance of natural attractions in its forests,
hills, wildlife and waterfalls that are easily
accessible in locations such as Khao Yai National
Park.
Apart from the famous statue
of Khun Ying Mo, Khorat is most well known for
silk weaving (in Pak Thong Chai) and a variety
of top-notch quality handicrafts such as clay
pottery products of Dan Kwian.
Geographically, Nakhon Ratchasima
borders on Chiyaphum and Khon Kaen Provinces
in the north, Buriram Province in the east,
Chiyaphum and Saraburi Provinces in the west
and Nakhon Nayok and Prachin Buri Provinces
in the south.
Khorat is also I-San’s largest
province. Inhabitants of the province are mainly
engaged in agricultural activities that include
farming of rice and other crops such as sugar
cane, tapioca, corn, jute, peanuts, sesame and
fruits. There are more than 100 savings and
agricultural cooperatives in the province, 35
irrigation projects and 7,122 industrial factories.
Most of the factories are rice mills, tapioca
product manufacturers, and industrial factories.
Khorat's most popular annual
event is the Thao Suranari Festival, a celebration
of Thao Suranari's victory over the Lao. It's
held from late March to early April and features
parades.
Looking back…
Khorat used to be the site
of several ancient prehistoric communities.
Little is known about the early history of Khorat,
except that it used to be part of a kingdom
called Sri Janas (Si Janat) – an empire that
extended its power to the entire Khorat Plateau.
Initially the predominant cultural
influence in the city was that of the Dvaravati
culture, however, it was later replaced by the
Khmer culture. The prehistoric site of Ban Prasat
is evidence of this occurrence while traces
of both the Dvaravati and Khmer cultures are
scattered throughout the province, particularly
at Amphoe Sung Noen and Amphoe Phimai.
Once an administrative and
cultural center, Khorat’s role today remains
unchanged as it is currently the main transportation,
industrial and economic hub of the Northeast. |
