:: Soeng Sang

Hat Chom Tawan is a large beach by the lake, under the office of the 5 th Thap Lan National Park Management Area (Lam Plai Mat) that is responsible for jungles in the park in Soeng Sang, Khon Buri and Wang Nam Khiao. The area around the reservoir has been developed into a rest area for the public and there are plots for locals to make a living to reduce the problem of illegal logging. Tourists normally come to swim and dine here, and enjoy the scenery and even camping. Long-tail boats can be hired to go on the reservoir. Trekking to various spots can also be done, like Wang Phi Sua (where a lot of butterflies can be seen in the cool season), Phra cave , Communist cave and the gigantic Takhian Thong tree that is believed to be over a thousand years old. For more information, call tel. 0-4444-8386.

Getting There From Nakhon Ratchasima to Soeng Sang, take Highway No. 224, then Highway No. 2071 and Highway No. 2119, respectively, for 89 kilometres. Turn right at Soeng Sang intersection on Highway No. 2317 for 15 kilometres.
:: Non Sung


Ban Prasat Archaeological Site is at Moo 7, Ban Prasat Tai, Tambon Than Prasat. From the city, take Highway No. 2 (Nakhon Ratchasima-Khon Kaen) for 44 kilometre and turn right for 1 kilometre. If going by bus from Bangkok or Nakhon Ratchasima, take a line going to Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Nong Khai, or Kalasin. Get off at the 44-km marker and take a hired motorcycle into the village.

Ban Prasat is the second archaeological site (the first was Ban Chiang) to be set up as an outdoor museum. Findings indicate that the area was once inhabited by a prehistory to early history community. A community of the Dvaravati and Khmer periods thrived here 1,500-3,000 years ago. There are 3 pits that have been landscaped and open to the public. Discoveries include human skeletons and many pottery pieces that were dug up from various levels. They tell us about human evolution and community beliefs and culture of generations of people living in the same area through the years.

Ban Prasat Home Stay was formally introduced in 1996 and is now the prototype of home stay programs in other villages around the country. Groups have been sent from villages to study the operations of Ban Prasat Tai so they can also implement a similar program to increase local income and develop the community way of life. The best time to stay is during October-December when the climate is cool.

Ban Prasat villagers are like other villagers in the region in that most are farmers. Rice farming is done once a year. Villagers use their free time to create handicrafts to supplement their income. Crafts include weaving reed mats and hats, using some trees to make shoes and bags, breeding silkworm, and making Thai stringed musical instruments like So U and So Duang. The area around the village is full of paddy fields. A river called Than Prasat is considered a sacred river that divided Ban Prasat Nua and Ban Prasat Tai. For more information on home stay programs, contact the village headman Mr. Thiam Laongklang, tel. 0-4436-7075 or Mr. Charan Chomklang, tel. 0-4436-7062.
:: Phimai part 1

Phimai National Museum at the base of Tha Songkran bridge just before Phimai sanctuary. From Nakhon Ratchasima, take Highway No. 2 for 50 kilometres, then go on Highway No. 206 for 10 kilometres. If taking a bus from Nakhon Ratchasima, you can get on at Bus Terminal 2 in the city.

The museum collects archaeological artefacts and has exhibits on the past cultural prosperity of the Northeast, especially artefacts found in the lower part of the region. There are several sections, including local Isan culture and daily utensils like mortars, cotton chests, carts, monk items, and an area that recounts the history of Phimai and lintels from sanctuaries in Nakhon Ratchasima and the Northeast. Moreover, there are prehistoric artefacts such as ancient pottery, skeletons, tools, and bronze and stone ornaments. Items from early history are Dvaravati-style temple boundary markers and Khmer-style items like columns and parts of buildings, as well as sculptures like Buddha images, god figures and a figure of King Chaiworaman VII made of sandstone found at Phrommathat pagoda in Phimai sanctuary. The second floor is devoted to the past cultural glory of the Northeast, early Isan communities and Khmer cultural influence. The museum is open daily from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The entry fee is 30 baht. For information, call 0-4447-1167.

Thung Samrit Memorial is at Moo 1, Ban Samrit Tawan Ok, Tambon Samrit, 46 kilometres from the city. Take Highway No. 2 (Nakhon Ratchasima-Khon Kaen) to the 43-44-km markers (opposite the entrance to Ban Prasat) and turn right for about 3 kilometres. This wide field was a battleground between Khorat people and Lao soldiers during the reign of King Rama III. A shrine built by villagers in 1988 now stands here to pay homage to the fighters.

Phimai Historical Park is in Phimai District. It contains the Phimai Sanctuary, one of the grandest and most important Khmer historical sites in Thailand.

The word' Phimai' appears in an inscription on a stone slab at the front doorway of the building as well as in many other structures. It is believed that the word'Phimai' meant a religious figure or site.

The Phimai Sanctuary is in the shape of a rectangle and is 565 metres wide and 1,030 metres long. It consists of structures made of sandstone and laterite, all ornately carved with designs. The most special characteristic of the sanctuary is that it is the only one that faces south while others usually faces east. This is probably because it was built to face the route that the Khmers made from the capital of the empire, to the south of Phimai.