Things to do in Nakhon Ratchasima Province
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Prasat Phimai
Started by Khmer King Jayavarman V (AD 968–1001) during the late 10th century and finished by King Suriyavarman I (AD 1002–49) in the early 11th century, this Hindu-Mahayana Buddhist temple projects a majesty that transcends its size. Although pre-dating Angkor Wat by a century or so, Prasat Phimai nevertheless shares a number of design features with its more famous cousin, not least the roof of its 28m-tall main shrine. However, unlike most Khmer temples, this one faces south. It may well be wishful thinking, but tourist brochures claim it might have been the model for Angkor Wat.
reviewed
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Wat Dhammachakra Sema Ram
Housed inside Wat Dhammachakra Sema Ram, which locals call Wat Phra Non (Sleeping Buddha Temple), is Thailand’s oldest reclining Buddha. Dating back to the 7th or 8th century BC, the 13.3m-long Dvaravati-style image is unique in that it hasn’t been covered with a layer of stucco and a coat of whitewash. It actually looks as old as it is. The crude but appealing image is protected from the elements by a huge roof. On display nearby is a stone rendition of the Buddhist Wheel of Law that is thought to pre-date the Buddha image.
reviewed
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Excavation Pits
About 3000 years ago, a primitive agricultural/ceramic culture put down roots at Ban Prasat, near the banks of Mae Nam Than Prasat. It survived for nearly 500 years, planting rice, domesticating animals, fashioning coloured pottery, weaving cloth and, in later years, forging tools out of bronze. The secrets of this early civilisation were finally revealed during extensive archaeological digs completed in 1991. Three of the excavation pits, with skeletons and pottery left in situ, are on display in the village.
reviewed
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Khao Yai National Park
Up there on the podium with some of the world’s greatest parks, Khao Yai is Thailand’s oldest and most visited reserve. Covering 2168 sq km, Khao Yai incorporates one of the largest intact monsoon forests remaining in mainland Asia, which is why it was named a Unesco World Heritage Site (as part of the Dong Phayayen–Khao Yai Forest Complex). The mostly English-speaking staff at the visitor centre are very friendly and helpful.
reviewed
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Phimai National Museum
Situated on the banks of Sa Kwan, a 12th-century Khmer reservoir, this museum houses a fine collection of Khmer sculptures from Prasat Phimai, including many exquisite lintels, and other ruins from around Lower Isan. There's also some distinctive black Phimai pottery (500 BC–AD 500) and even older ceramics from nearby Ban Prasat.
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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PB Valley Khao Yai Winery
The cool highlands around Khao Yai are also home to a nascent wine industry. These have been dubbed the ‘New Latitude’ wines because grapes are not normally grown between the 14th and 18th parallels. PB Valley Khao Yai Winery and GranMonte are among the wine makers managing to coax shiraz and chenin blanc grapes from the relatively tropical climate.
reviewed
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Wat Boon Night Bazaar
This night market is an excellent place for culinary exploration.
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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GranMonte
The GranMonte is among the wine makers managing to coax shiraz and chenin blanc grapes from the relatively tropical climate. The wines do seem to improve year by year, though they still have a way to go. GranMonte also has some appealing rooms overlooking the vineyards from 3550B.
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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Narknava
Muslim and even Middle Eastern fare are unexpected cuisines in this neck of the woods, but Narknava is an established favourite for its infamous chicken biryani – infamous, because at 100B it’s superexpensive by Thai standards. Unusually, the food is much better than the website images suggest.
reviewed
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Night Bazaar
Most of the vendors next to Sai Ngam are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and serve Thai and Isan basics, including pàt phimai, which is basically similar to pàt mèe koh râht but always uses handmade noodles. Phimai also has a small night bazaar.
reviewed
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Sai Ngam
A bit east of town is Thailand's largest and oldest banyan tree, a 350-plus-year-old megaflorum spread over an island in a large reservoir. The extensive system of interlocking branches and gnarled trunks makes the 'Beautiful Banyon' look like a small forest.
reviewed
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Khrua Khao Yai
This informal kitchen is enormously popular with Bangkokians because it serves an inspired repertoire of both Thai and fà·ràng dishes, including home-cured ham and marinated mushrooms that are so meat-like you’ll find yourself wondering what animal they came from.
reviewed
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Narknava
Muslim and Middle Eastern fare are indeed unexpected cuisines in this neck of the woods, but Narknava is an established favourite for Thai visitors seeking out its infamous chicken biryani – infamous, because at 100B it’s super-expensive by Thai standards.
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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Khrua Khao Yai
Exceedingly popular with visitors from Bangkok, this informal but delicious kitchen puts out an inspired repertoire of Thai and faràng dishes including home-cured ham and marinated mushrooms so meat-like you’ll wonder what animal they came from.
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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GranMonte
GranMonte 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 has a classy restaurant serving Western food only. It's 16km from the park gate.
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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PB Valley Khao Yai Winery
PB Valley Khao Yai Winery is among the wine makers managing to coax shiraz and chenin blanc grapes from the relatively tropical climate. The wines do seem to improve year by year, though they still have a way to go.
reviewed
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Baiteiy Restaurant
Appropriately decorated with some pseudo-Khmer carvings, this pleasant outdoor eatery, about 500m south of Pratu Chai (Victory Gate), does a decent spread of Thai-Isan-Chinese fare, plus a few international staples.
reviewed
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Dairy Home
If a weekend of intense jungle exploring or wine tasting has left you with a need for Western eats, stop by this organic dairy for a country breakfast of homemade sausages, farm-fresh eggs and good coffee.
reviewed
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Dairy Home
If a weekend of intense jungle exploring or wine tasting has left you with a need for Western eats, stop by this organic dairy for a country breakfast of homemade sausages, farm-fresh eggs and good coffee.
reviewed
