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Nakhon Ratchasima province

Coordinates: 14°58′20″N 102°6′0″E / 14.97222°N 102.10000°E / 14.97222; 102.10000
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Nakhon Ratchasima
นครราชสีมา
Province
Nakhon Ratchasima province
(clockwise from upper-left): Phimai Castle, Thao Suranaree Monument, Thai house at Jim Thompson Farm, Chum Phon Gate, Buddha statue at Phanom Wan Castle
Flag of Nakhon Ratchasima
Flag
Official seal of Nakhon Ratchasima
Seal
Nickname: 
Korat (Thai: โคราช)
Mottoes: 
เมืองหญิงกล้า ผ้าไหมดี หมี่โคราช ปราสาทหิน ดินด่านเกวียน
("City of brave women. Excellent silk. Mee Korat. Stone castles. Dan Kwian clay.")
Map of Thailand highlighting Nakhon Ratchasima province
Map of Thailand highlighting Nakhon Ratchasima province
Coordinates: 14°58′20″N 102°6′0″E / 14.97222°N 102.10000°E / 14.97222; 102.10000
CountryThailand
CapitalNakhon Ratchasima City
Government
 • GovernorChaiwat Chuenkosum
 • PAO Chief ExecutiveYalada Wangsuphakitkoson
Area
[1]
 • Total
20,736 km2 (8,006 sq mi)
 • Rank2nd
Population
 (2024)[2]
 • Total
Decrease2,620,172
 • Rank2nd
 • Density126/km2 (330/sq mi)
  • Rank36th
Human Achievement Index
[3]
 • HAI (2022)0.6471 "average"
Ranked 30th
GDP
[4]
 • Totalbaht 275 billion
(US$9.5 billion) (2019)
Time zoneUTC+7 (ICT)
Postal code
30xxx
Calling code044
ISO 3166 codeTH-30
Websitenakhonratchasima.go.th

Nakhon Ratchasima (Thai: นครราชสีมา, pronounced [ná(ʔ).kʰɔ̄ːn râːt.tɕʰā.sǐː.māː]; Northeastern Thai: นครราชสีมา, pronounced [nà(ʔ).kʰɔ̂ːn lâːt.sā.sǐː.mâː], often called Khorat (Thai: โคราช, pronounced [kʰōː.râːt]; Northeastern Thai: โคราช, pronounced [kʰôː.lâːt]) (alternate spelling Korat) is one of Thailand's seventy-six provinces (changwat) and lies in lower northeastern Thailand also called Isan. At 20,736 square kilometres (8,006 sq mi) it is the country's second largest province by area, has a population of approximately 2.6 million, and generates about 250 billion baht in GDP, the highest in Isan.[5] Neighbouring provinces are (clockwise, from north) Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Buriram, Sa Kaeo, Prachinburi, Nakhon Nayok, Saraburi, and Lopburi.

The capital of the province is the city of Nakhon Ratchasima in Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima district, also called Khorat.

Geography

[edit]
Khao Yai National Park

The province is at the west end of the Khorat Plateau, separated from the Chao Phraya river valley by the Phetchabun and Dong Phaya Yen mountain ranges. Two national parks are in the province: Khao Yai in the west and Thap Lan in the south. Both parks are in the forested mountains of the Sankamphaeng Range, the southern prolongation of the Dong Phaya Yen mountains. The total forest area is 3,193 km2 (1,233 sq mi) or 15.4 percent of provincial area.[1]

Nakhon Ratchasima is a large province on the northeastern plateau and acts as a gateway to other provinces in the northeast. It is 259 kilometres (161 mi) from Bangkok and has an area of around 20,494 square kilometres (7,913 sq mi). The province is rich in Khmer culture and has a long history.

National parks

[edit]

There are two national parks, along with two other national parks, make up region 1 (Prachinburi) of Thailand's protected areas. (Visitors in fiscal year 2024)[6]

Thap Lan National Park   2,236 km2 (863 sq mi)        (96,852)
Khao Yai National Park 2,166 km2 (836 sq mi)   (1,887,335)

History

[edit]
Phimai historical park

The area around Khorat was already an important centre in the times of the Khmer empire in the 11th century, as can be seen by the temple ruins in Phimai historical park. Nakhon Ratchasima province is one of the provinces where there is still a sizable northern Khmer population.[7]

Administrative divisions

[edit]

Provincial government

[edit]

The province is divided into 32 districts (amphoes). The districts are further subdivided into 263 sub-districts (tambons) and 3,743 villages (mubans).[8]

Map of thirty-two districts
  1. Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima
  2. Khon Buri
  3. Soeng Sang
  4. Khong
  5. Ban Lueam
  6. Chakkarat
  7. Chok Chai
  8. Dan Khun Thot
  9. Non Thai
  10. Non Sung
  11. Kham Sakaesaeng
  12. Bua Yai
  13. Prathai
  14. Pak Thong Chai
  15. Phimai
  16. Huai Thalaeng
  17. Chum Phuang
  18. Sung Noen
  19. Kham Thale So
  20. Sikhio
  21. Pak Chong
  22. Nong Bun Mak
  23. Kaeng Sanam Nang
  24. Non Daeng
  25. Wang Nam Khiao
  26. Thepharak
  27. Mueang Yang
  28. Phra Thong Kham
  29. Lam Thamenchai
  30. Bua Lai
  31. Sida
  32. Chaloem Phra Kiat
Districts General Information
Class Name Area
(km2)		 Distance to
Provincial Hall
(km)		 Established Sub-districts
(Units)		 Villages
(Units)		 Population
Male Female Total
Special
Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima
755.596 0 1895 25 243 212,627 221,211 433,838
1
Dan Khun Thot
 1,428.14 84 1908 16 220 62,571 63,347 125,918
1
Bua Yai
 305.028 101 1886 10 121 41,855 42,278 84,133
1
Pak Thong Chai
 1,374.32 34 1910 16 213 56,716 58,950 115,666
1
Phimai
 896.871 60 1900 12 208 64,421 66,024 130,445
1
Sikhio
 1,247.07 45 1955 12 169 60,898 61,163 122,061
1
Pak Chong
 1,825.17 85 1955 12 217 91,146 91,685 182,831
2
Khon Buri
 1,816.85 58 1939 12 152 46,086 47,167 93,253
2
Chakkarat
 501.672 40 1953 8 108 34,441 34,643 69,084
2
Chok Chai
 503.917 30 1905 10 126 37,297 39,223 76,520
2
Non Sung
 676.981 37 1897 16 195 62,639 65,374 128,013
2
Prathai
 600.648 97 1961 13 148 38,622 38,761 77,282
2
Sung Noen
 782.853 36 1901 11 125 38,429 40,181 78,610
2
Huai Thalaeng
 495.175 65 1961 10 120 37,443 37,131 74,574
2
Chum Phuang
 540.567 98 1959 9 130 40,918 41,038 82,161
3
Soeng Sang
 1,200.24 88 1976 6 84 33,733 33,302 67,032
3
Khong
 454.737 79 1938 10 155 40,052 41,076 81,128
3
Non Thai
 541.994 28 1900 10 131 36,126 37,592 73,718
3
Kham Sakaesaeng
 297.769 50 1968 7 72 21,423 21,753 43,176
3
Kaeng Sanam Nang
 107.258 130 1986 5 56 18,782 19,054 37,836
3
Wang Nam Khiao
 1,130.00 70 1992 5 83 20,416 20,503 40,910
4
Ban Lueam
 218.875 85 1976 4 39 10,620 10,732 21,351
4
Nong Bunmak
 590.448 52 1983 9 104 29,424 29,316 58,740
4
Thepharak
 357.465 90 1995 4 58 12,002 11,451 23,453
4
Phra Thong Kham
 359.522 45 1996 5 74 21,260 21,680 42,940
4
Sida
 162.825 85 1997 5 50 12,087 12,133 24,220
4
Bua Lai
 106.893 103 1997 4 45 12,374 12,450 24,824
4
Non Daeng
 193.407 30 1989 5 65 12,597 12,984 25,581
4
Kham Thale So
 203.605 22 1966 5 46 14,091 14,021 28,112
4
Mueang Yang
 255.522 110 1995 4 44 14,321 14,038 28,359
4
Lam Thamenchai
 308.457 120 1996 4 59 16,114 15,953 32,067
4
Chaloem Phra Kiat
 254.093 18 1996 5 61 16,966 17,411 34,377

Local government

[edit]
The Great Hall of Wat Luang Phor Toh in Sikhio district

As of 26 November 2019 there are:[9] one Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Administration Organisation (ongkan borihan suan changwat) and 90 municipal (thesaban) areas in the province. Nakhon Ratchasima municipality has city (thesaban nakhon) status. Bua Yai, Mueang Pak, Pak Chong and Sikhio municipalities have town (thesaban mueang) status. Further 85 subdistrict municipalities (thesaban tambon).The non-municipal areas are administered by 243 Subdistrict Administrative Organisations - SAO (ongkan borihan suan tambon). Nakhon Ratchasima is also home of the Klongpai Central Prison.[10]

Economy

[edit]
One of the halls inside Terminal 21 Shopping Mall
CentralPlaza at sunset

Khorat's economy has traditionally been heavily dependent on agriculture. It is known as a processing centre for Isan's production of rice, tapioca, and sugar. The Isan region accounts for half of Thailand's exports of those commodities. Khorat is also one of two sites in Thailand manufacturing disk drives by Seagate Technology, employing 12,100 workers in Khorat.[5][11]

Transport

[edit]
Air

Nakhon Ratchasima has Nakhon Ratchasima Airport, but it has no scheduled flights. The nearest working airport is in Buriram and has flights to and from Bangkok.

Rail

The railway system in Nakhon Ratchasima is on both northeastern routes from Bangkok Railway Station. Nakhon Ratchasima province has eight main railway stations. In 2017, a 60-kilometre dual-track line will connect Korat to Khon Kaen province. It is the first segment of a dual track network that will connect Isan with the Laem Chabang seaport. Mueang District is served by two stations: Nakhon Ratchasima railway station and Thanon Chira Junction railway station.[5]

Road

Highway 2 (Mittraphap Road) is the main route that connects nine districts in Nakhon Ratchasima including Muang district. This route also connects Nakhon Ratchasima to Saraburi and Khon Kaen provinces. Hwy 24 links Si Khio District from Hwy 2 to Pak Thongcha, Chok Chai, and Nong Bunnak Districts and to Buriram province. A new motorway connecting Khorat to Bangkok is under construction in 2016 and will reduce travel time on the 250 kilometre journey to just over two hours.[5]

Health

[edit]

Nakhon Ratchasima has hospitals in mostly the public sector, but some in the private sector. Its main hospital is Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital, which is the largest provincial hospital operated by the Ministry of Public Health and one of the main hospitals for the MOPH-Mahidol CPIRD Program.[12]

Education

[edit]
Main gate of Khorat
Universities

There are four universities in the area.

Schools
  • Ratchasima Wittayalai School
  • Saint Mary's College Nakhon Ratchasima
  • Suranaree Wittaya School
  • MBAC
  • Boonwatthana
  • Phimai Witthaya
  • Assumption School Nakhon Ratchasima
  • Fort Surathamphithak School
  • Phoowittaya School (lab school project)
  • Plookpanya School
  • Koratpittayakom school
  • Wangrongnoi school
  • Phatongkhamwittaya school
  • Surawiwat school in Suranaree University of Technology
  • Metapaht School
International schools
  • St Stephen's International School (SIS) (Khao Yai Campus)
  • Adventists International Mission School (AIMS) (Nakhon Ratchasima Campus)
  • Anglo Singapore International School (Korat Campus)
  • Wesley International School[13]

Human achievement index 2022

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Health Education Employment Income
33 58 10 55
Housing Family Transport Participation
29 26 58 30
Province Krabi, with an HAI 2022 value of 0.6471 is "average", occupies place 30 in the ranking.

Since 2003, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Thailand has tracked progress on human development at sub-national level using the Human achievement index (HAI), a composite index covering all the eight key areas of human development. The National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) took over this task in 2017.[3]

Rank Classification
  1–13 "High"
14–29 "Somewhat high"
30–45 "Average"
46–61 "Somewhat low"
62–77 "Low"

Korat cat

[edit]
Main article: Korat
Korat Cat (si sawat)

(Thai: โคราช, มาเลศ, สีสวาด, RTGS: Khorat, malet, si sawat)

The Korat cat is a natural breed, and one of the oldest stable cat breeds. Originating in Nakhon Ratchasima province at Phimai,[14] it is named after its province of origin. In Thailand the breed is known as si sawat, meaning "colour of the sawat seed" (bluish-gray). Korat cats are distinguished not only by the colour of their fur. Genuine Korat cats have a heart-shaped face when viewed from any angle and shorter grey hair with silver tips. The true breed's eyes are yellow with an inner green circle. They must be slender and agile. The cat's tail must be slender. Cats with crooked tails are considered inauspicious.[14]

In 1965, Korat cats were first registered in the US by the Korat Cat Fanciers Association. The cats that formed the breed were first imported from Thailand by Jean L. Johnson in 1959. In 1966 the breed was accepted by the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA). The Korat breed is now accepted by cat associations around the world.[14]

The International Maew Boran Association (TIMBA) ("maew boran" means "ancient cat") was formed in Thailand to provide a registry of and pedigrees for Thai cats, including Korats, and to provide a voice in English for Thai breeders as "...Thai breeders...do not speak English, and farang breeders do not speak Thai.".[15][14]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Table 2 Forest area Separate province year 2019". Royal Forest Department. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  2. ^ "Official statistics registration systems". Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA). Retrieved 10 February 2025. , year 2024, provincial level, Excel File, no.30
  3. ^ a b "ข้อมูลสถิติดัชนีความก้าวหน้าของคน ปี 2565 (PDF)" [Human Achievement Index Databook year 2022 (PDF)]. Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) (in Thai). Retrieved 12 March 2024. , page 34
  4. ^ "Gross Regional and Provincial Product, 2019 Edition". Gross Regional and Provincial Product. Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC). July 2019. ISSN 1686-0799. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  5. ^ a b c d Janssen, Peter (2 November 2016). "Thailand takes a long-term gamble on Isaan region". Nikkei Asian Review. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  6. ^ "สถิตินักท่องเที่ยวที่เข้าไปอุทยนห่งชาติ ปีงบประมาณ พ.ศ. 2567" [Statistics of tourists visiting national parks in fiscal year 2024]. Department National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (in Thai). Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  7. ^ "Thai People In Northeastern Thailand (Isan)". Archived from the original on 11 August 2014. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
  8. ^ "Learn Thai HomeThailand Districts and SubdistrictsDistricts and Subdistricts in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand Districts and Subdistricts in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand". langhub. Trevi Multimedia Group Co., Ltd. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
  9. ^ "Number of local government organizations by province". dla.go.th. Department of Local Administration (DLA). 26 November 2019. Retrieved 10 December 2019. , 20 Nakhon Ratchasima, 1 PAO, 1 City mun., 4 Town mun., 85 Subdistrict mun., 243 SAO.
  10. ^ Phokha, Theerasak (2020). "Prisoners' Behavior Development at Klongpai Central Prison, Sikiew District, Nakornratsima Province". Journal of Social Sciences Association of Thailand. 23 (1). Retrieved 10 May 2025.
  11. ^ Temphairojana, Pairat (10 February 2015). "Seagate to invest $470 mln in Thailand over next 5 years". Reuters. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  12. ^ "MNRH".
  13. ^ "Welcome to WIS". Wesley International School. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  14. ^ a b c d Na Thalang, Jeerawat (6 November 2016). "Splitting hairs over cat breeds". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  15. ^ "Welcome to TIMBA". TIMBA: The International Maew Boran Association. Archived from the original on 25 December 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2016.
[edit]
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