Nakhon Ratchasima is the largest province of Thailand. This is a travel destination for many people because it has many tourist attractions, so it is suitable for tourists of all ages.
On this trip, we will take you to Korat city in 2 days and 1 night. Even if it is a short trip, you will definitely be satisfied.
- Itinerary
- Day 1
- Statue of Thao Suranari
- Wat Sala Loi
- Windmill Viewpoint, Lamtakong Jolabha Vadhana Power Plant
- Wat Pa Phu Hai Long
- Day 2
- Klang Phana Rose Garden
- Khao Yai National Park
Day 1
Statue of Thao Suranari
It was built in 1934 to commemorate the heroic deeds of ” Grandma Mo”. The statue is located on a high base with the sculpture of Grandma Mo standing dressed in a royal costume with her right hand holding a sword with the tip to the ground. The statue is cast in black copper and faces west where Bangkok is located.
Thao Suranari, formerly known as Lady Mo, was the wife of the Permanent Secretary of Nakhon Ratchasima. In 1826, Chao Anuwong of Vientiane raised an army to capture Korat and forcibly took people, including Lady Mo. Lady Mo thought of a strategy to help the villagers by delaying waiting for them to join. They then helped each other fight until the Chao Anuwong’s army was defeated and returned to Vientiane. His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great therefore graciously bestowed Lady Mo to be “Thao Suranari”.
Behind the Statue of Thao Suranari is the Chumphon Gate which is a city gate built in the reign of King Narai the Great to prevent the enemy’s invasion. It Looks like a Thai-style door of Ayutthaya art with a thatched roof with clay tiles. Originally, there were 4 gates in total, but nowadays only one Chumphon Gate remains.
The Korat people believe that if passing through the Chumphon Gate once, you will return to Korat again. If passing 2 times, you will work or live in Korat, but if you pass through 3 times, you will get a lover who is a Korat local.
- Statue of Thao Suranari Ratchadamnoen Road, Nai Mueang Subdistrict, Mueang District, Nakhon Ratchasima
Wat Sala Loi
This temple was built around 1827 by Thao Suranari and her husband Phraya Suriyadej, Permanent Secretary of Nakhon Ratchasima.
The name of Wat Sala Loi has its origin, after the battle of Chao Anuwong’s army at Thung Samrit when Thao Suranari returned to Nakhon Ratchasima. During the stopover at Tha Tako, she ordered the soldiers to make a raft in the shape of a pavilion that could float along Lam Takong by praying that where this pavilion-shaped raft floated to, she would build a memorial temple there. It turned out that the raft was caught on the right bank of Lam Takong, which is the location of the present Wat Sala Loi.
There are many interesting places within the temple; such as, the old Buddhist temple, new Buddhist temple, and a pagoda containing the ashes of Lady Mo.
The old Buddhist temple is small with no perforations in the windows. There is also only one door in front known as ‘Maha-ut Buddhist temple’. Inside is enshrined a Buddha image in the posture of Wichai of Lan Xang art. Thao Suranari built the temple to commemorate the victory over Chao Anuwong.
The new Buddhist temple was built in 1967. The Thai art work of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wirot Srisuro have been applied in this Buddhist temple. Designed as a junk, it is decorated with clay tiles that are good items from Dan Kwian Subdistrict. This Buddhist temple received an award for pioneering religious buildings from the Association of Siamese Architects under Royal Patronage and an award from the Sethiarkoset and Nakaprateep Foundations in 1973.
Inside is enshrined “Phra Phuttha Praphat Sunthonthamaphisan Sala Loi Phiman Worasan Santisuk Munin”, a white stucco Buddha statue in the posture of calming the ocean.
There is a pagoda containing the remains of Lady Mo in front of the old Buddhist temple, and the Statue of Thao Suranari, which is replicated from the real image at Lan Yamo as well.
- Wat Sala Loi Soi
- Thao Sura 3, Nai Mueang Subdistrict, Mueang District, Nakhon Ratchasima
Windmill Viewpoint, Lamtakong Jolabha Vadhana Power Plant
The upper reservoir is the location of the Lamtakong Jolabha Vadhana Power Plant on Khao Yai Thiang. It is the first and only underground power plant in Thailand.
The highlight of this place is cycling along the road around the reservoir to see the Lam Takong Dam and the giant windmills. You can rent bicycles for 40 Baht per hour at the Visitor Centre.
For those people who do not want to ride a bicycle, they can walk to see the continuous view. I recommend visiting in the morning or late afternoon because the sun is still not very hot.
In addition, the reservoir area is where Phuttha Sirisattaraj is enshrined or Luangpho Chetkasattri, a Buddha image with Naga, which the villagers believe can cause seasonal rain.
- Khlong Phai Subdistrict, Sikhio District, Nakhon Ratchasima
- Open daily from 06:00 – 19:00 Hrs.
- Tel. 084 829 2365, 093 121 0208
We continue our journey to Pak Chong District from the Windmill Viewpoint. It took about 1 hour.
At the end of the first day, we went to Wat Pa Phu Hai Long, which is located on a high mountain in the midst of peaceful nature. There is also a viewpoint that you can see a 360-degree view of Pak Chong District.
The view from the top of the hill.
Phra Achan Anavilo, the former abbot establsihed Wat Pa Phu Hai Long, which means “The land of liberation from all delusions”.
- Mu 11, Ban Sap Samran, Wang Kat Subdistrict, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima
- Open daily from 05:30 – 17:00 Hrs.
Day 2
Klang Phana Rose Garden
It is an area for cultivating roses of foreign varieties; most of which are planted for sale to hotels and resorts in Pak Chong District.
I spent a long time here because there are beautiful roses are all over the place.
In addition to the rose garden, there is also a cute cafe where you can sit and sip tea while admiring the beautiful nature.
- Mu Si Subdistrict, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima
- Open daily, Monday – Thursday: 08:30 – 17:00 Hrs.; Friday – Sunday from 08:30 – 17:30 Hrs.
- Tel. 085 093 5553
End this trip at Khao Yai National Park
Khao Yai National Park covers 4 provinces: Saraburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Prachin Buri and Nakhon Nayok. It was declared the first national park in Thailand in 1962 and was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005.
If you want to travel here to be full and satisfied, you may have to spend a full two days and stay overnight in the park. But if anyone has less time to travel, then have an intensive trip. Let’s take a look at the main spots that you shouldn’t miss.
Km. 30 Viewpoint
If entering the Park from Pak Chong District, this point will be the first check-in point that anyone can stop for a photo from this viewpoint. You are able to see undulating mountains as far as the eye can see.
Nong Phakchi Animal Viewing Tower
It is located in Nong Phakchi, which is a water source for wildlife. It is recommended to come in the early morning as you might be lucky to see deer, wild boars and elephants coming to search for food.
From the car park, you have to walk 900 metres to reach the animal watching tower. Here, the atmosphere is quiet with a cool wind blowing. You can see the mountains view and fields along the way.
View from the top of the animal watching tower.
Saisorn Reservoir
Another name is the Mo Singto Reservoir. It is a reservoir that supports water for use in Khao Yai National Park and is a water source for wildlife. The name of the reservoir was named after Mr. Boonruang Saisorn, the first head of Khao Yai National Park.
You can sit and relax, or take photos.
Pha Tromchai is part of Khao Khiao. From the viewpoint, you can see Mo Singto and Nong Phakchi Field.
Haew Narok Waterfall is the largest waterfall in Khao Yai National Park. There are 3 levels in total, but it might be a bit tiring because you have to walk to the waterfall’s viewing point, which is a distance of 1 kilometre.
Along the way is full of nature. It takes about 20 minutes to walk to the stairs to walk down to see the waterfall.
After that, walk down about 200 steps to reach the viewpoint of the waterfall. The stairs are narrow and quite steep. You have to walk carefully, and don’t forget that we have to go up the steep stairs again on the way back, so prepare your legs to be ready.
Since this is the rainy season, the waterfall has a lot of water and flows very strongly. It causes water droplets to spread all over. If anyone does not want to get wet, I recommend bringing a raincoat and a waterproof case. It is good to protect mobile phones and cameras, too.
Haew Narok Waterfall is a really beautiful waterfall worth the 200 steps up and down the stairs.
- Khao Yai National Park Office Mu Si Subdistrict, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima
- Tourist Service Centre Tel. 086 092 6529