Nakhon Ratchasima

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One of the biggest cities in the Kingdom, Nakhon Ratchasima, better known as Khorat, serves as the gateway to the Isan region. Attracting relatively little traveller attention, many view this city as an unfortunate stopover as they make their way further north or east.

On first glance this city does seem impenetrable -- virtually no English is spoken and tourists remain an anomaly -- but with a little patience and guidance, Khorat sneaks up on you as a destination in its own right. While its attractions may not merit a week's stay, you may just find yourself lingering that long as you eat your way through town and soak up the local culture.

Khorat is an amazing mix of old and new -- of tradition and innovation. In stark contrast to Bangkok's booming metropolis, Khorat is today much of what it was 50 years ago.

This slower paced city provides a glimpse into the architecture of authentic Thai life -- something lost elsewhere in the country as Thailand yields to the unending surge of tourist dollars.

While Khorat doesn't see many of those dollars, it certainly has reason to attract them.

Just three hours from Bangkok, Khorat is home to beautiful shrines, colourful markets, amazing food, and more recently, a broad range of lodging and dining options that cater to both Thai and western tastes while encompassing everything in between.

Alongside sparkling Buddhist temples and sidewalk restaurants with makeshift kitchens, hip eateries and boutique hotels are popping up. Where Khorat was once void of such choices, it's now possible to enjoy its cultural offerings without sacrificing comfort.

While far off the tourist track, Khorat has a lot to offer the traveller hoping to experience the real Thailand. A mix of tradition and westernisation, Khorat is teeming with the energies of both... and it works.

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Text and/or map last updated on 17th July, 2012.

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It really is the real Thailand

Even though it is billed as Thailand's second largest city, I was surprised how easy it was to get to know the place and to get around. Khorat has all the usual services like internet and laundry you'll need, and scores of great little hole-in-the-wall eateries and sidewalk noodle stands. You won't find many English-language menus however, with the possible exceptions of the VFW restaurant in the Siri Hotel, which has really cheap and quite good American food, and at the George & Dragon farang bar on the corner of Suranaree and Yotha, which has a great selection of English goodies. There may not be much to attract independent travellers to Khorat, but if you are passing through anyway, it is a good place to break up your trip on your way to other points in the northeast, or to catch your breath before heading back to Bangkok. Like is says above, this is the real Thailand.
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By exacto (dabbler)
Written on 7th January, 2010 after a visit to Nakhon Ratchasima in January,

Also reviewed by exacto: Champasak, Chiang Mai, Kamphaeng Phet, Ko Maak, Lopburi, Mukdahan, Nong Khai, Pakse, Phitsanulok, Savannakhet,

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