Twin Towns
During Ayutthaya’s prominence, two towns united to form Nakorn Ratchasima, commonly known as Korat. Now a busy industrial city, it shares many of Bangkok’s features, both good (nightlife and bazaars) and bad (pollution). If you are coming from Bangkok and desire peace and quiet, nearby Phimai is a good base from which to visit Korat during the day.

US Vets Cafeteria
There was an American air base near Korat during the Vietnam War, and you can still visit the Veterans of Foreign wars Cafeteria on Phoklang Road. Some ex-GIs have since settled here.

Historical Monuments
Appealing temples include Wat Sala Loi, with its junk-shaped chapel, and Wat Phra Narai Maharat, which houses Korat’s city pillar and a Khmer statue of Vishnu. Mahawirawong National Museum houses more Khmer stonework and other artifacts. Also interesting is the Thao Suranani Memorial, which honors a Thai woman who, with her citizens’ army, expelled Lao aggressors in the early 1800s. Locals make offerings to her spirit for protection, and traditional Korat folk singing (financed by grateful worshippers) is a nightly event opposite the memorial. Thao Suranani also has her own festival; Korat’s biggest, from late March to early April. This involves folk singing, drama (Li-Kay), parades and beauty pageants.

Khmer Ruins
60 km outside Korat, Prasat Hin Phmai National Historical Park near Phimai contains impressive 10th and 11th century Khmer ruins older than Cambodia’s Angkor Wat. The new Phimai National Museum displays Khmer sculpture from elsewhere in Thailand.

Rainforest
In the same province, Khao Yai National Park is reputedly one of the world’s best: you can hike through superb rainforest teeming with wildlife.