Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) Province Guide: History, Towns and Local Products
Most Thais simply call it Korat. The province is the doorway to Isan: drive north-east from Bangkok and it is the first big province you reach, with Khao Yai's forests on one side and the old Khmer road to Angkor running through its plains.
The guide goes through its Khmer past and its famous heroine, the districts known for silk, pottery and national parks, the festivals that fill Korat and Phimai, and the local products worth buying. If you run a small business here, you will see how to put your products in front of new buyers.
Nakhon Ratchasima
Korat, the Gateway to Isan
Thailand's second-largest province: Khao Yai's forests, the Khmer sanctuary of Phimai, a legendary heroine and a long craft tradition.
By the SnapSellGo Thailand Desk · Updated September 2026 · 8 min read
Made in Nakhon Ratchasima
What the province is known for. Local producers are joining SnapSellGo now.
The "Known for" cards describe what Nakhon Ratchasima is famous for; real listings take their place as soon as producers publish.
Why Korat is more than a stop on the way to Isan
Nakhon Ratchasima is the second-largest province in Thailand by area, at 20,736 km², and one of the most populous, with about 2.6 million people. Its economy, worth about 250 billion baht, is the largest in Isan.
Its heritage runs deep. Phimai holds one of Thailand's finest Khmer sanctuaries, and Khao Yai, founded in 1962, was the country's first national park and is now part of a UNESCO World Heritage forest complex.
Thailand's first national park
Khao Yai was established in 1962 and joined the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2005.
Khmer sanctuary of Phimai
Phimai's sandstone temple is one of the great Khmer monuments in Thailand.
The heroine of Korat
Thao Suranari is honoured for her resistance in 1826; her statue stands in the city centre.
Silk and pottery
Pak Thong Chai weaves silk and Dan Kwian fires rust-coloured pottery.
Nakhon Ratchasima: a timeline
Korat's history runs from Khmer temples to a 19th-century heroine and the first national park in the country.
- 1000s–1100sThe Khmer build the sanctuary of Phimai, linked by road to Angkor.
- 1826Thao Suranari leads resistance during a Lao invasion and becomes Korat's heroine.
- 1962Khao Yai becomes Thailand's first national park.
- 2005The Dong Phayayen–Khao Yai forest complex joins the UNESCO World Heritage list.
The main districts, and what each one is for
Nakhon Ratchasima has 32 districts, 263 sub-districts and more than 3,700 villages. For visitors and buyers, four stand out.
| District | What you find there |
|---|---|
| Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima | The city of Korat, the Thao Suranari monument and the old city gates. |
| Pak Chong | The gateway to Khao Yai, with resorts, farms and vineyards. |
| Phimai | The Khmer sanctuary of Phimai and its historical park. |
| Pak Thong Chai | Silk weaving villages and shops. |
| Chok Chai | Dan Kwian, the pottery village famous for its rust-coloured clay. |
When to go: festivals and seasons
Korat's calendar mixes a heroine's festival with boat races and Khmer heritage. Here is what to look out for.
Made in Nakhon Ratchasima: OTOP and local specialities
The OTOP scheme gives every product a home sub-district, and Korat's list is led by two crafts. Pak Thong Chai is one of Thailand's best-known silk districts, and the potters of Dan Kwian shape and fire a rust-coloured clay found along the local river.
In the kitchen, pad mee Korat, a stir-fried rice noodle dish, carries the city's name across the country. The Korat cat, a silver-blue breed, also comes from the province.
The carousel at the top of this guide shows live products from Nakhon Ratchasima producers as they go online, and makers keep all of every sale.
Short on time? Phimai in the morning, the Thao Suranari monument at dusk. Into nature? Two days in Khao Yai. Visiting in November? The Phimai Festival. Buying local? Pak Thong Chai silk and a Dan Kwian pot.
Questions people ask about Nakhon Ratchasima
Why is Nakhon Ratchasima called Korat?
Korat is the everyday name for the province and its capital, used by most Thais instead of the long official name Nakhon Ratchasima.
Is Khao Yai in Nakhon Ratchasima?
Most of Khao Yai National Park lies in Nakhon Ratchasima, reached through Pak Chong district. It was Thailand's first national park, founded in 1962.
Who is Thao Suranari?
Thao Suranari is Korat's heroine, honoured for leading resistance during a Lao invasion in 1826. Her statue stands in the city centre.
What is Dan Kwian pottery?
Pottery from the village of Dan Kwian, made from a rust-coloured clay found along the local river.
Sources: Wikipedia entries for Nakhon Ratchasima province, Khao Yai National Park, Phimai Historical Park and Thao Suranari. Festival dates follow the lunar calendar and change each year. Cover photo: Phimai Historical Park by Philip Nalangan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0.