Things to do in Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat)
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Wat Salaloi
The city's most interesting temple was supposedly founded by Thao Suranari and her husband in 1827. Half of her ashes are interred in a small stupa here (the other half is at her monument) and so there are also singing troupes on hire to perform for her spirit here. A small statue of the heroine sits praying in the pond in front of the temple's award-winning bòht (chapel). Built in 1967, it resembles a Chinese junk and holds several unusual Buddha images, including one with nine faces and a large gleaming white one in a 'calming the ocean' posture. It, along with several other buildings, is decorated with Dan Kwian pottery.
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Wat Boon Night Bazaar
This night market is an excellent place for culinary exploration.
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Wat Phayap
When the abbot of Wat Phayap learned that blasting for a quarry in Saraburi Province was destroying a beautiful cave, he rescued pieces of it and plastered the stalactites, stalagmites and other incredible rocks all over a room below his residence, creating a shrine like no other. Stone has since become a theme of the temple and it's now used in decoration elsewhere on the grounds.
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Maha Wirawong National Museum
Despite an interesting collection of Khmer and Ayuthaya-period artefacts, including stone and bronze Buddhas, woodcarvings from an ancient temple and various dom-estic utensils, chances are you’ll have this interesting little museum to yourself. It’s hidden away in the grounds of Wat Sutthachinda.
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Im Bum
The menu at this wood-encased, friendly, vegetarian affair is in Thai only. But since they do mock-meat versions of Thai and Chinese standards, you can just order your favourites and the message will probably get through. Or, just point to something in the buffet cart.
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Cabbages & Condoms
This regular favourite offers a leafy terrace, a wine list (something of a rarity in Isan) and plenty of newspaper clippings celebrating the work of the nonprofit Population & Community Development Association, towards which all proceeds go. It's just past the train tracks.
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Wat Phra Narai Maharat
This large temple is of interest because of three holy Khmer sandstone sculptures, of which Phra Narai (Vishnu) is the holiest, that were unearthed here. To see them, follow the signs with red arrows back to the special Naranya Temple at the southeast corner. The temple's bòht sits on an island and there are some enormous monitor lizards living in the pond.
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Rabieng-Pa
The leafiest restaurant in town and the most low-key on this stretch of Yommarat Street. You'll feel like you're dining in a real forest, but it's not all about the atmosphere. The food is simply excellent and the picture menu makes ordering risk free.
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Chez Andy
Khorat’s archetypal expat haunt, this Swiss-managed place (appropriately housed in a red-and-white villa set back off the road) has a global menu with fondue, steak and fried rice available.
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Thao Suranari Museum
Just north of her shrine, in the little white building, is a sort of Thao Suranari museum, which has a cool diorama and even cooler sculpted mural of the famous battle.
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Bar Nana
Bar Nana at the Rachaphruk Grand Hotel has the hottest dance floor downtown – it closes at 2am and isn’t really hopping until close to midnight.
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Sima Thani Hotel
The top-tier Sima Thani Hotel often hosts Ъohng·lahng Isan music and dance shows for tour groups, though anyone can come to watch.
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Thanon Manat Night Bazaar
Thanon Manat Night Bazaar is fun to stroll. It’s mostly clothes and accessories (no handicrafts) and draws a youthful crowd.
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Mae Gimhhaeng Market
Mae Gimhhaeng Market is an old school shopping centre full of food vendors with a few clothing and other stalls for variety.
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Anego
Popular little place with a huge menu of Japanese dishes, plus one page of Italian pastas.
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Mall
This is Isan's largest and glossiest mall. Has a small branch of Asia Books.
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Big Chili
A Thai-run restaurant serving a global menu (salmon sashimi, rack of lamb, spinach lasagne, chilli dogs, Caesar salads, and even Thai-Mexican fusion such as stir-fried burritos) to mostly Thai diners.
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Khao Yai Winery
Khao Yai Winery which corked its first bottle in 1998 lies along Pansuk-Kudkla Rd, the direct route from Bangkok to Khao Yai (exit Km144). It is scenically set and offers tours (book in advance), tastings and classy restaurants.It's 22.5km from the park gate.
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Thao Suranari Museum
Just north of her shrine, in the little white building, is a sort of Thao Suranari museum, which has a cool diorama and even cooler sculpted mural of the famous battle.
reviewed
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Wawee Coffee
Ever walked into a coffee shop and wanted to stay all day? From the lattes to the brownies and the music to the decor, this place is pretty much perfect.
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Thao Suranari Monument
Thao Suranari, wife of the city's assistant governor during the reign of Rama III, is something of a Wonder Woman in these parts. Ya Mo (Grandma Mo), as she's affectionately called, became a hero in 1826 by organising a successful prisoner revolt after Chao Anou of Vientiane had conquered Khorat during his rebellion against Siam. As one version of the legend has it, she convinced the women to seduce the Lao soldiers and then the Thai men launched a surprise attack, which saved the city.
Her exploits have probably been greatly exaggerated or completely concocted – some reputable scholars suggest that she didn't even exist – to instil a sense of Thai-ness in the ethnic-Lao p…
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Pidaso
If you want elegance with your dining experience, you'll find it at this trendy open-kitchen spot. Assuming you can actually find the restaurant, that is. It's 800m north of the Sima Thani Hotel.
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Night Bazaar Korat
While it's got nothing on Chiang Mai's version, this night market, selling mostly clothes, attracts a youthful crowd and is fun to stroll through.
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Ming Ter
The menu at this homey vegetarian affair is in Thai only, but since it does mock-meat versions of Thai and Chinese standards you can just order your favourites and the message will probably get through. Or, just point to something in the buffet tray.
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Maha Viravong National Museum
Though the collection at this seldom-visited museum is very small, it's also very good. There's ancient pottery – don't miss sneaking a peak at what's stored in the back – and a variety of Buddha images spanning the Dvaravati to Rattanakosin eras.
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