Nakhon Ratchasima

Nakhon Ratchasima is a city (thesaban nakhon) in the north-east of Thailand and gateway to Isan. It is the capital of the Nakhon Ratchasima Province and Nakhon Ratchasima district. Nakhon Ratchasima is the 6th largest city of Thailand. It is very closely related to the Khmer kingdom and has many of the Khmer cultures and historic histories in its city. This city is known best for their clay pottery products and museums of both artifacts and sites. Mainly engaged in agricultural activities that include farming of rice and other crops such as sugar cane, tapioca, corn, jute, peanuts, sesame and fruits. Most of the factories are rice mills, tapioca product manufacturers, and industrial factories.

Khorat grew in the 20th century as a major hub for water buffalo trading because of its proximity to Bangkok markets. The city continues to be a major industrial center because of this advantage and draws a large labour pool from across Isaan. Nakhon Ratchasima is known as the Gateway to Isaan, but may also be thought of as Isaan's gateway to the rest of Thailand.

Geographically, Nakhon Ratchasima borders on Chiyaphum and Khon Kaen Provinces in the north, Buri Ram Province in the east, Chiyaphum and Saraburi Provinces in the west and Nakhon Nayok and Prachin Buri Provinces in the south.


Khorat is also the largest northeastern province. Inhabitants of the province are mainly engaged in agricultural activities that include farming of rice and other crops such as sugar cane, tapioca, corn, jute, peanuts, sesame and fruits. There are more than 100 savings and agricultural cooperatives in the province, 35 irrigation projects and 7,122 industrial factories. Most of the factories are rice mills, tapioca product manufacturers, and industrial factories.

Khorat’s most popular annual event is the Thao Suranari Festival, a celebration of Thao Suranari's victory over the invader. It’s held from late March to early April and features parades.