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Monument of Thao Suranari or Khun Ying Mo is situated in front of the old gate
of ''Pratu Chumpon'' on the west side of the city. This
monument was erected in 1934 to commemorate the heroic deed
of Khun Ying Mo, wife of the Deputy Governor of Khorat during
the reign of King Rama III, who managed to save the city
from the invasion of the Laotian army led by Prince Anuwong
of Vinentianne. Every year from March 23 to April 3, there
is a cerebration to honour this statue which draws thousands
of people from town and neighbouring provinces.
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Pratu Chum Phon is behind the Monument of Thao Suranari. It is an
old city gate built during the reign of King Narai the Great in 1656.
The king commanded that a strong city wall be built. Engineers from
France, then an ally of the country, designed the city plan. Nakhon
Ratchasima at that time was an outpost in the shape of a rectangle of
1,000 x 1,700 metres. The western Chum Phon Gate is the only 1 of 4
city gates that still stands. The other three gates have been
rebuilt. Chum Phon Gate is built of large stones and bricks and
covered with plaster. The top is a watchtower made of wood with a
tiled roof and decorated in the Thai style.
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Prasat Phanom Wan is in Ban Makha, Tambon Pho,
around 15 kilometres from the city on the Nakhon Ratchasima-Khon Kaen
road. A sign on the right shows the way on a road 5 kilometres more.
This is an interesting Khmer sanctuary. It is believed that it was
built in the 15th Buddhist century. Later during the 18th-19th
centuries, a stone building was built over it. From inscriptions found
at the site, it is known that the sanctuary was used in the Hindu
religion and later became a Buddhist site. Although most of it is in
ruins, there is a clear form present, like the square main pagoda
facing east and a tiered pagoda in front, as well as a path linking the
two structures.
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Chang Phuak Shrine is a small shrine on the
northern part of the city moat at the corner of Manat and Phon Saen
roads. It houses a Takhian Hin tree stump that was where the people of
Phu Khiao tied elephants for inspectors to look at before presenting
them to King Rama I for his transport.
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About 30 kilometer from town along the Khorat-Pak
Thong Chai route, covers a vast stretch of land comprising
a reservoir and habitation areas for animals amidst the
surrounding nearest to their natural environment. Open daily
between 8.30-16.30 hrs.
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Wat Sala Thong is in Tambon Hua Thale, about 1
kilometre southeast of the city. This is temple of the Dhamayuti
sect. The area around the temple was originally a dense forest where a
large sitting stone Buddha image in the Pa Lelai posture was located
out in the open. A convocation hall was later built to cover it. The
temple has a large pagoda that was built over a smaller one that
encased the holy relics of Lord Buddha that were taken from Myanmar’s
Chiang Tung.
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Northeastern Museum of Petrified Wood and mineral resources is
situated in Mu 7, Tambon Suranari.At present, this area has a
collection of over 10,000 petrified wood pieces. Some are displayed in
the garden. Within this compound, petrified wood was unearthed just
beneath the surface to 8 metres underground. The wood discovered is of
various sizes from pebbles to rocks with a diameter of over 50
centimetres, and some pieces are more than 1 metre long. The wood comes
in many colours in the same stone and in different ones. They are aged
from 1 to 70 million years old.
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Wat Sala Loi is located on the bank of Lam Takhong River, about 400
meters off the Northeast of the town. The main chapel, which
received many awards from various architectural associations
as a modern leading design of religious monument, is constructed
in the shape of a Chinese Junk.
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City Pillar is at the corner of Chom Phon and
Prachak roads. This Chinese-style shrine houses the city pillar that
is worshipped by Thais and Chinese. Built in the reign of King Narai
the Great during 1656-1688, the shrine and city pillar are made of
wood. The inner eastern wall is covered with fired clay tiles with
raised designs of the battle of Thao Suranari and the way of life of
Thais in ancient times.
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Located on Prajak Road, the monastery houses a
Khmer sandstone statue of Vishnu, the Hindu god. This statue is highly
revered by local residents and is considered the Provinces most sacred
object.
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Maha Wirawong National Museum is in Wat
Sutthachinda opposite the provincial hall. It displays items that
Somdet Phra Maha Wirawong, the ex-abbot of Wat Sutthachinda, collected,
as well as artefacts that the Fine Arts Department found in Nakhon
Ratchasima and nearby provinces and donations. Most items are Buddha
images, including stone images of the Khmer period, images from the
Ayutthaya period, bronze images, earthenware, ancient utensils, and
woodcarving. The museum is open during 9 a.m.-4 p.m. from Wednesday to
Sunday. It is closed on public holidays. The entry fee is 10 baht.
For information, call tel. 0 4424 2958.
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Prasat Hin Phimai is the largest sandstone sanctuary
in Thailand almost situated in the center of Phimai Ancient
city which carries a rectangular shape of 665 meters wide
and 1,030 meters long. The Sanctuary has been magnificently
restored and renovated ruins and has been preserved as a
National Historical Park.
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Also on the way
to Phimai is the Phimai National Museum housing valuable
historical objects and archaeological remains found in the
region.
Other Khmer ruins
within Nakhon Ratchasima include Prasat Hin Phanom Wan
located about 20 kilometres from town, Prasat Hin Nang
Ram some 80 kilometres northeast of Khorat in Amphoe
Prathai, Prang Ban Ku and Prang Sida all of
which are similar to Phimai ruins but somewhat smaller
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The park, which covers an area of 2,168 square
kilometers in the Phanom Dong Rak mountain range, stretches over 4
provinces including Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Nayok, Saraburi, and
Prachin Buri. Khao Yai became Thailands first national park on 18th
September 1962 and is also originally recognized as the National Park
Heritage of Asian Group Countries.
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Amphoe Pak Thong Chai itself is also noted for its finest silk.
The town is situated about 32 kilometres from Nakhon Ratchasima
along Highway No. 304.
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Farm Chokchai is a fully integrated dairy farm
perched on a vast stretch of plains amidst a scenic surrounding. An
agro-tourism farm where visitors can learn about milking, making of
fresh milk ice cream, animal feed plant, and several other activities.
Superb tourist facilities provided.
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Located at Khao Si Siat Aa, in Tambon Klang Dong,
the temple houses a huge seated Buddha image that is 27 meters wide and
45 meters high. The image is enshrined on a mountaintop that can be
reached via a 1,250 steps representing the number of monks that
gathered spontaneously to hear the Lord Buddha's first sermon. (an
occasion that is commemorated on Magha Puja Day)
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Maize and Sorghum Research Centre (Rai Suwan) formerly called Thana Farm and belonging to Field
Marshall Sarit Thanarat, the Farm was later transferred to Kasetsart
University and became the Maize and Sorghum Research Center. The main
purpose of the Center is to carry out research and publicize technology
for the growing of maize and sorghum as well as other field crops. The
Center also other provides support for research and training at both
domestic and international levels, in addition, to producing seeds of
maize, sorghum and other field crops. Basic tourist facilities provided
are a touring route, toilets, field crop seeds for sale and food
stalls. Advance contact is recommended.
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Wat Na Phra That is located four kilometers from the Pak Thong Chai
District office. The temple has an old chapel in which beautiful
mural paintings of the Early Rattanakosin period can be
seen on the walls. The door of "Ho Trai" or the
hall for keeping the scripture is also elaborately carved.
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Lam Phra Phloeng Dam is situated in Amphoe Pak Thong Chai on a side road
some 28 kilometres from the main highway. From the Dam,
boats can also be be hired to go another 23 kilometres up
the reservoir to Namtok Pak Thong Chai (waterfall)
or Namtok Khlong Ki. Here is another spot for retreat
and relaxation.
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