Nakhon Ratchasima which is also called Korat city is 4 -6 hours by train or bus from Bangkok. We took the express train 71 there and 72 back. The train’s destination is Ubon Ratchathani which is the last city in Thailand before the Laos border crossing to Pakse. We visited both last year.
We did not buy tickets in advance for the train. We had only landed in Thailand the night before and we have only been able to buy tickets from outside the country on 12goasia. When we arrived at the station we were only able to get 3rd class tickets, no seats on the way there and seats on the way back. Cost was only 199 Bht each one way, but there is no AC in third class.
It was a long hot trip. We were able to sit on the steps by the train doors for part of the trip. We took a Grab to our hotel which cost us 88 Bht. We stayed at Urban Bamboo. A small hotel with a great central location.in the old historic part of the city. The guy who was usually at the desk spoke English which is always helpful. The room was clean and the place has a cool vibe. Lots of really nice paintings on the walls and a rooftop terrace with an honour bar.
Nakhon Ratchasima does get tourists but very few of them are western. I think we saw two other western couples in the three days we stayed there. Some of the younger people speak some English, but as a rule anyone older does not. Some of the signs at tourist sites had English titles and a few had explanations in English. We did get a very helpful Korat City map in English from the hotel.
The Thao Suranaree Monument and the Chumphon Gate located in a pedestrian area between two very busy roads were a hub of activity. During the day tour buses drop off tourists who leave offerings, pray and take selfies.The monument is to Honor Ya Mo, who was a governor’s wife and was recognized by the king for helping to defeat an invading army from Loas 200 years ago. At night there are local groups doing group dance to modern music. They were not really putting on a show just working on routines.
It is said that if you walk through the Chumphon Gate once you will come back to Korat City and if you go through three times you will find a spouse in Korat City.
There is a big local market between Suranaree Road and Pho Kiang Road. We also found a number of restaurants along Suranaree Road. Our favourite was a pop up noodle soup spot on the street but it was only there one of the three nights we were in town. The food here is heavily biased to beef. We did find a restaurant which only served chicken feet in many ways. We did not eat there!
Most of the sites in town are pretty walkable. We spent a couple of days exploring on foot.
The city pillar and Wat Phra Narai Maharat Worawihan
This is quite a large complex with multiple temples and a lake which has fish and large lizards in it. When we were there the temples were all dressed up for a ceremony where the temple’s status as a royal temple was being renewed. There was a lot of press so we think it’s possible the actual king was attending. As with all temple festivals we have seen in Thailand. After the ceremony there was free food for everyone. They invited us to join in. We missed the event and the food which to honest we don’t feel right about accepting. The locals were stocking up and taking plates home.
We met a very friendly monk at Wat Isan who suggested we needed to go to Wat Sala Loi. It’s a bigger temple on the outside of the old city wall. It was full of tour groups. It’s a large complex and it is considered to be an important temple. There is a nice little waterfall and you could buy baby bottles full of some kind of liquid to feed to the fish.
On the way back we stopped at a popular local restaurant for lunch. You were supposed to fill out an order card when it was obvious we could not do that, the staff were very helpful and we managed to order lunch with google translate.
Korat City is famous for Korat Cats. A breed which is now found all over the world but originated here. There are several pictures and statues of cats around town. We found a real Korat cat as well. There was a sort of outdoor art exhibition on Phon Sean Road with a 5 metre high cat.
In contrast to everything in town Korat city also has two large modern shopping malls! There is also a large park, Bhumirak Park with a lake you can walk around.
Overall, communication was a bit of a challenge but everyone was friendly and helpful and the major sites in town are within a walkable distance.
Racing and Traveling over 50. 