| Attraction Guide: Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat) |
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Prasat Phanom Wan
Prasat Phanom Wan is in Ban Makha, Tambon Pho, around 15 kilometres
from the city on the Nakhon Ratchasima-Khon Kaen road. A sign on
the right shows the way on a road 5 kilometres more. This is an
interesting Khmer sanctuary. It is believed that it was built in
the 15th Buddhist century. Later during the 18th-19th 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, there is a clear form present, like the square main
pagoda facing east and a tiered pagoda in front, as well as a path
linking the two structures.
Chokchai Farm
Location: 169 Mu 2 Thanon Mittaphap, Amphur Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima
30130. Tel. (66) 4432-8485. Ext. 116, (66) 4432-8386, (66) 4436-1770-4.
Head Office tel. (66) 2532-2846 ext. 135, (66) 2523-9103.
Chokchai Farm is a fully integrated dairy farm perched on a vast
stretch of plains amidst a scenic surrounding. An agro-tourism
farm where visitors can learn about milking, making of fresh milk
ice cream, animal feed plant, and several other activities. Superb
tourist facilities provided.
The farm opens on Saturdays, Sundays and Official holidays.
Open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for a group visit of at least 30
persons. There are 3-5 rounds of tours, each taking approximately
3 hours.
Khao Yai National Park
The park, which covers an area of 2,168 square kilometers in the
Phanom Dong Rak mountain range, stretches over 4 provinces including
Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Nayok, Saraburi, and Prachin Buri. Khao
Yai became Thailands first national park on 18th September 1962
and is also originally recognized as the National Park Heritage
of Asian Group Countries.
The park is comprised of mixed forests and rainforests with some
wide plains and grasslands interspersed with verdant forests. There
are many valuable plants, including commercial plants, scented
plants and herbs. In addition, there are several mountains with
peaks ranging from 800 to 3,000 meters above sea level making Khao
Yai a cool climate area, even in summer.
The most popular time to visit Khao Yai is during the cool season
or from October to February. In the rainy season, the area is refreshingly
green with overflowing waterfalls, sending echoes all around.
Phimai Historical Park
Within the Park is the Phimai Sanctuary, one of the grandest and
most important Khmer historical sites in Thailand.
The word Phimai appears in an inscription on a stone slab at the
front doorway of the building as well as in many other structures.
It is believed that the word Phimai referred to a religious figure
or site.
The Phimai Sanctuary is rectangular in shape and is 565 meters
wide and 1,030 meters long. It consists of ornately carved sandstone
and laterite structures. The most special characteristic of the
sanctuary is that it is the only one that faces south while the
others usually face east. This is probably because it was built
to face the route that the Khmers traveled from the capital of
the empire, to the south of Phimai.
Dan Kwian
Situated on Highway No. 24, about 14 kilometers from the city of
Nakhon Ratchasima is a village noted for unique pottery widely
used for interior and outdoor decoration. The uniqueness of Dan
Kwian clay is its durability, pliability and rusty color. When
combined with attractive designs and the proper heating process
the products are irresistible. |
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