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Amphoe Muang
Chang Phueak Shrine
Located north of the city’s moat, at the corner of
Manat and Phon Saen Roads is a shrine of historical importance.
The shrine contains a Takhian Hin tree stump, which was where the
people of Phu Khiao tied elephants for inspection before presenting
them to King Rama I. (Ratanakosin Era)
Chumphon Gate
Situated behind Thao Suranari Monument is the old city gate
that can be dated back to the 17th century. During the reign of
King Narai the construction of a stronger city wall was commanded.
A wooden watchtower with a tiled roof and decorated in the Thai-style
was constructed on top of the Gate, which was constructed of stone
and brick and covered with plaster. This Gate is the only gate of
the four original gates that is open to the public, as the other
three are being renovated.
City Pillar
Located at the corner of Chumpon Road and Prachak Road,
near Thao Suranari Monument, is the City Pillar. A Chinese-style
shrine that houses the City Pillar was established in the reign
of King Narai the Great. The inner eastern wall is covered with
terra-cotta tiles with raised designs depicting Thao Suranari in
battle and scenes of ancient daily life in Khorat.
Maha Wirawong National Museum
Opposite the City Hall is Wat Sutthachinda, a compound where
Maha Wirawong National Museum is located. Featuring a collection
of Khmer and Ayutthaya art objects including woodcarvings, ceramics
and sandstone images, the museum is open from Wednesday to Sunday,
between 9.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. The admission fee is 10 bahts/person.
For more information, call 044 242958.
Monument of Thao Suranari
Commonly dubbed as Khun Ying Mo or Ya Mo, Thao Suranari
was a courageous Thai woman, a wife of the Deputy Governor of Khorat
during the reign of King Rama III (1824 – 1851). She led the
residents of Khorat in a battle against the Laotian army headed
by Prince Anuwong of Vientiane. This much worshipped shrine was
built in 1934 to honor her heroic deeds that saved the people from
being captured. There is an annual celebration held from 23 March
to 3 April to pay homage to the shrine which is located at the Chumphon
Gate on the west side of the city. Offerings to Thao Suranari range
from a miniature model of a bus to colorful clothes. It is believed
that through the offerings, Thao Suranar’s spirit will protect
the petitioner from danger and the bad spirits.
Interesting events: Khorat songs (phleng Khorat) is sung in the
evenings on a stage near the shrine. They are traditional folk songs
worth listening.
Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo
Covering an area of 545 rai (218 acres), the zoo is one
of the most modern in Asia. The enclosures are large and landscaped
by section to match the habitat of each animal most of which have
come from Africa. The most popular animals are penguins, seals,
African elephants, rhinoceros, cheetahs, lions, zebras, and giraffes.
There is also a reptile building and a hornbill garden. In addition
to being an ideal place to study biology, the zoo is a great place
for relaxation as the grounds are decorated with lovely flowers.
Other than the shuttle services that are provided to transport visitors
around the zoo, there are bicycles available for rent. The zoo is
open daily between 8.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. The fee is 10 bahts for
children, 30 bahts for adults, and 30 bahts for four-wheel vehicles.
For information, call 0 4435 7355, 0 4421 6251-3 or visit www.zoothailand.org.
The Zoo is located approximately 18 kilometers south of the city
on Highway No. 304 (Nakhon Ratchasima-Pak Thong Chai), however,
it is also accessible via Highway No. 2310 (approximately 1 kilometer
drive). Visitors traveling by bus from the city can take air-conditioned
bus No. 1415.
Petrified Wood Park
This Petrified Wood Park located in Tambon Suranari has
a collection of over 10,000 petrified wood pieces. These wood pieces
were unearthed from just beneath the surface to a depth of 8 meters.
The wood is of various sizes ranging from pebbles to rocks with
a diameter of over 50 centimeters, while some pieces are more than
1 meter long. The petrified wood pieces appear in a range of colors
and have been aged at between 1 and 70 million years. Provincial
authorities plan to turn this area into a petrified wood park and
the first museum of its kind in Asia in order to conserve these
prehistoric treasures for future generations to study.
To reach the Park, take Highway No. 304 (Nakhon Ratchasima-Pak
Thong Chai) for 19 kilometers, turn right into Suranari University
of Technology (second gate) and drive for 3 kilometers, turn left
onto the Mitraparp-Nong Pling city bypass and drive for 2 kilometers
to Wat Krok Duean Ha.
Prasat Phanom Wan
An interesting Khmer sanctuary, Prasat Phanom Wan is believed
to have been built in the 10th century. During the 13th and 14th
centuries, a stone building was built over it. From inscriptions
found at the site, it is known that the sanctuary was used in the
Hindu religion and later became a Buddhist site. Although most of
it is in ruins, the layout of the structure that is still clearly
visible includes a square main pagoda facing east and a tiered pagoda
in front, as well as a path linking the two structures.
To the southwest of the main pagoda is a building of red sandstone
called “Prang Noi.” Inside is a large stone Buddha image.
A roofed sandstone walkway and a laterite wall surround the sanctuary.
A Gopura (a sanctuary doorway or porch) in the form of a tall tower
is situated in all 4 directions. Around 230 meters east of the sanctuary
are traces of a moat and an earth hill that was the site of another
Khmer building called “Noen Oraphim.”
Other Khmer ruins within Nakhon Ratchasima include Prasat Hin Nang
Ram, Prang Ban Ku and Prang Sida all of which are similar to Phimai
ruins but somewhat smaller.
This sanctuary is located in Ban Makha, Tambon Pho, around 15 kilometers
from the city on the Nakhon Ratchasima-Khon Kaen Road. A sign on
the right provides visitors with additional directions.
Rajabhat Nakhon Ratchasima Arts and Culture
Center
This Center is the repository of all the information on
I-san’s history. Information on the region’s history,
culture and traditional way of life are displayed in this wooden,
two-storey house. For more information, call 044 246341 ext. 1216.
To get there from Rajabhat Institute which is located on Suranari
Road, turn left at the sign and proceed to the center.
Tham Khao Chan Ngam
The cave is located approximately 58 kilometers southwest
of the city, off of Highway No. 2. Consisting of a series of rock
formations, the cave is notable for its prehistoric paintings with
figures of people and animals drawn in coarse red paint. Historians
claim that an agrarian community inhabited this area some 3,000
to 4,000 years ago.
Wat Phra Narai
Located on Prajak Road, the monastery houses a Khmer sandstone
statue of Vishnu, the Hindu god. This statue is highly revered by
local residents and is considered the Province’s most sacred
object.
Wat Sala Loi
Situated 500 meters east of the northeastern corner of the
moat, from Rop Mueang Road, the temple is famous for its “bot”
(preaching hall) which resembles a Chinese sailing junk. That is
why the monastery got its name Wat Sala Loi, which means the temple
of the floating pavilion. The bot was awarded the best avant-grade
religious building by the Siam Society in 1973. Additional attractions
are a large white standing Buddha enshrined inside the temple and
a plaster sculpture of Thao Suranari, sitting in a praying position
in the middle of a pond in front of the door.
Wat Thep Phithak Punnaram
Located at Khao Si Siat Aa, in Tambon Klang Dong, the temple
houses a huge seated Buddha image that is 27 meters wide and 45
meters high. The image is enshrined on a mountaintop that can be
reached via a 1,250 steps representing the number of monks that
gathered spontaneously to hear the Lord Buddha’s first sermon.
(an occasion that is commemorated on Magha Puja Day)
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