10 Impressive Things to Do in Korat (Nakhon Ratchasima)

10 Best Things to Do in Korat (Nakhon Ratchasima)

1. Explore Phimai Historical Park ❤️ Must Visit

Phimai Historical Park is probably one of the most recognizable landmarks in all of Korat. Located about an hour away from Korat city center, in the quiet town of Phimai, the historical park is home to a stunning Khmer temple complex that resembles the famous Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

In fact, legends have it that the construction of Angkor Wat was inspired by Phimai, which was built during the 11th century, a century before Angkor Wat was constructed. You can really see the similarity the moment you walk inside its walls and gaze upon the magnificent prangs.

The architecture of Phimai Historical Park reflects just how much of a master craftsman the Khmer Empire was. As you explore the ruins, you will often notice their incredible craftsmanship in the decors above doors and gates, as well as the design of the prang towers. These carvings and sculptures often depict various Hindu mythological stories and deities, similar to those at Angkor Wat.

Although the historical park is not as big as other sites like Angkor Wat or Ayutthaya, there is still quite a lot to see inside, so expect to spend at least an hour here before we continue exploring Korat. To get here, you can either catch a bus from Korat Bus Terminal or rent a car and drive there. It takes about 1 hour to reach Phimai from Korat's city center.

Phimai Historical Park is open from 9 AM to 4 PM every day, and the entrance fee is 100 THB per person. If you love history and want to see some of the most well-preserved Khmer temples here in Thailand, Phimai is one of the best there is. So, don't forget to check it out.

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2. Visit Phimai During Phimai Festival

Every first weekend of November every year, the city organizes Phimai Festival, a 5-day fantastical event that turns the quiet streets of Phimai into a time machine, where one can step in and relive the good old days with traditional performances, ancient markets, and more.

During the day of the festival, you will be able to witness the thrilling long-boat races that pit the locals against each other as they paddle down the river at full speed, trying to beat one another. The winner gets the Royal Cup!

The long-boat race often takes place right at the nearby river, and you can get a great view of the race from this bridge. With all the people cheering, the crazy narration by the announcer, and the loud music blasting across the river, you can't match the energy of this place anywhere else.

The long-boat race is definitely a must-see if you are in Phimai during the festival. The race usually starts around 12 PM and goes all the way to 3:30 PM, and they are often held on the last three days of the event. It does get hot during the day, even in November, so be sure to protect yourself from the sun.

Around Phimai during the festival, you will also find yourself surrounded by rows and rows of food stalls and shops selling all kinds of goods, from a variety of local street food to clothes and electronics, that will occupy your entire day.

Right around 6 PM, the streets around Phimai Historical Park are turned into an ancient market with small stalls and shops built out of bamboo sticks. The market is decorated with rainbow-colored light strips, just like the lights you often find in temple fairs in the countryside of Thailand.

You can enjoy the food as you watch the locals perform on a small makeshift stage while you wait for the highlight of the day, which is the light and sound show held inside the historical park. The show often starts around 7:30 PM and goes for about 1.5 hours.

I don't even know how to begin explaining to you how impressive the show was. Firstly, the stage is set right in front of Phimai ruins, with lights illuminating it in the background. That, in itself, is already impressive to me, especially during sunset. You can go inside the historical park at any time before the show, so be sure to check it out during the golden hour.

Secondly, the production of the show is simply astounding, with incredible costumes and amazing lighting. The show sequence itself rivals that of professionally-produced theatre shows. The number of people involved in the event, from the staff helping people find their seats to the performers, is just insane.

The show often depicts legends of Phimai, its history, and how it came to be. Although the show is in Thai, you can still enjoy it and understand the gist just by watching the performances.

There are some really cool sequences that highlight the unique culture of Thailand and Isaan (the northeastern part of Thailand) very well, such as Muay Thai, the fast-paced Isaan music and dances, and the well-choreographed slow traditional dance. Usually in chronological order, these sequences allow you to get a glimpse of how Isaan culture has developed since the Khmer time.

After about 1.5 hours and around 6 sequences, all the performers will gather in front of the temple, and then a firework will go off behind them, marking the end of the show. I was definitely caught by surprise there, and I was thrilled to see the fireworks. It was incredibly photogenic.

At the end of the show, you can go up to congratulate the performers and take photos with them. It was one of the most amazing events I have experienced in Thailand, and it is definitely worth the drive to get here during the festival.

If you choose to visit Phimai during the festival, you will be able to attend all the events and also have free access to Phimai Historical Park for the entire 5-day duration of the festival, which is just awesome.

I ended up going back there twice just because I enjoyed the show so much, and I had to drive one hour to get there every day! If you love experiencing a spectacular traditional show in Thailand, you are going to love Phimai Festival in Korat!

3. Learn More About Phimai at Phimai National Museum 🏛️ Best Museum

Not too far from Phimai Historical Park, you will find Phimai National Museum, a museum dedicated to preserving and showcasing the historical and archaeological artifacts related to the ancient city of Phimai and the surrounding region.

The museum houses a rich collection of artifacts that provide insights into the history, art, and culture of the Phimai area. Exhibits include sculptures, lintels, inscriptions, and other items that were discovered during archaeological excavations in and around Phimai Historical Park.

The museum is open from 9 AM to 4 PM every day, and the entrance fee is 100 THB per person. Unfortunately, the entire museum was under renovation when I was there, so I was unable to see it. However, if you are lucky enough to be there when it is open, it is definitely worth checking out after you have visited Phimai historical park.

4. Check out Banprasat Archaeological Site

Situated in a small town just off the main road between Phimai and Korat, you'll discover the Banprasat Archaeological Site. This site, once an excavation area, has been transformed into a museum dedicated to documenting and preserving prehistoric artifacts dating back some 1,500 to 3,000 years.

It is believed that there was a large community of people living here in prehistoric times, with many burial sites found around the area and many of the skeletons of the old inhabitants still largely intact.

Around the archaeological site, you will find three pits where the bones of the previous inhabitants were discovered, as well as some well-preserved artifacts from the Dvaravati and Khmer periods, over 1500 years ago. The place will give you insights into what the community must have looked like, what kind of technology they had, and how it was discovered.

The archaeological site is open every day from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, and there is no entrance fee. Being conveniently located along the route from Korat to Phimai, it is definitely worth a visit. Plan to spend approximately 15 to 30 minutes exploring before continuing your journey.

5. Explore Prasat Hin Phanom Wan

Not too far from Korat, you will find Prasat Hin Phanom Wan, a smaller but still very impressive Khmer ruin that dates back to the 12th century during the Angkor period.

The structure, composed of sandstone and laterite, reflects the influence of the Khmer Empire, which significantly shaped the cultural and architectural development of the region for many decades before the rise of the Ayutthaya Kingdom and the Siamese people.

The main sanctuary of Prasat Hin Phanom Wan features a prang and several surrounding structures. The carvings and decorative elements on the sandstone walls depict Hindu deities and mythological scenes, just like in Phimai, showcasing the amazing Khmer artistic and religious influences of the time.

The ruin is open from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM every day, and the entrance fee is 100 THB per person. If you love history and want to see a cool Khmer ruin that is not too far from Korat, make sure to check out Prasat Hin Phanom Wan.

6. Be Amazed by the extensive collection at Fossil Museum

One of the most impressive museums you can visit in Korat is the Fossil Museum, a massive museum complex that houses both the Petrified Wood Museum and Natural Museum. It showcases an impressive collection of fossils and other geological specimens found in the Isaan region.

Not many people know this, but most dinosaur fossils found in Thailand are mostly discovered in the Isaan region, thanks to the geography of the Korat Plateau that acted as a natural barrier, preserving some of the finest archaeological artifacts we see here.

The initial section of the museum features a vast collection of petrified wood, which was formed millions of years ago. Petrified wood is a type of wood fossil that is preserved through the process of petrification, where all organic materials are replaced with minerals.

This transformation renders the wood as tough as a rock, while retaining its original structures, allowing us to differentiate between regular rock and petrified wood.

In the next section, you will find an impressive array of fossils that were discovered here, covering most dinosaurs and ancient species of elephants, allowing us to get a glimpse of the previous inhabitants of the land.

Seeing the evolution of elephants, from ancient species with one as tall as 6 meters and another with 4 tusks, to the humble and friendly elephant we see today, is extremely insightful.

You also get to see some of the local dinosaur species that were discovered here, as well as the Siamraptor Suwati, with a true scale model and details on its size, dimensions, diet, and more.

The museum gives us an incredible insight into the history of the Korat Plateau and what makes this area so special, which will help you understand Korat and its people even more. The museum is open from 9 AM to 4 PM every day, and the entrance fee is 120 THB per person.

7. Hang out at Airplane Park

Not too far from the Fossil Museum, you will find an Airplane Park, which is exactly as the name suggests, a park with an unused 747 airplane parked in the middle of it.

At Airplane Park, you will find a few cafes and restaurants where you can chill while looking at the massive out-of-place airplane. You can also get up close and personal with it, which is something you cannot do every day.

Someone rich probably bought the out-of-commission airplane and put it here as a tourist attraction. The airplane is still pretty much intact with wheels, braking mechanism, and all the mechanical parts that fly right over my head still left in place. It is truly fascinating to see all these parts that can take us to the sky up close.

Since it is not too far from the Fossil Museum, it is worth a stop as you make your way to the Korat city center. The park is open from 10 AM to 8 PM every day, and there is no entrance fee.

8. Check out the view from Terminal 21's Skydeck Tower

If you are looking for a great and free viewpoint to see Korat from above, you should check out Skydeck Tower, accessible from inside Terminal 21 shopping mall in Korat's city center.

The entrance to Skydeck Tower is located on the top floor of the mall, and from there, you can take the elevator up the 110-m high tower to get to the 360° observation deck, at no cost at all. The Skydeck is open every day from 10 AM to 9 PM.

While the Korat skyline isn't particularly noteworthy due to the city's size and lack of prominent landmarks, the Skydeck Tower is worth checking out if you're looking to pass the time in Korat while waiting for the Phimai Festival.

9. Hang Out Around Suan Rak Park

Right in the center of Korat's city center, you will find Suan Rak Park, a central square with a statue of Thao Suranari, a historical figure who led an incursion against Laos when they took over Korat during the invasion of Siam, framed by ornate gates and a long reflecting pool.

It is a great place to relax in the evening and enjoy a little stroll around the park as you watch the people hang out with one another. There is also a nice small museum nearby called Maha Weerawong National Museum where you can visit and check out its collection of artifacts.

If you're in search of a great spot to sit back and relax, consider visiting Cafe Amazon nearby. The cafe has a lovely open-air balcony area where one can sit and enjoy a cup of coffee while overlooking the entire park from above. If you have some extra time to spare, be sure to explore Suan Rak Park.

10. Admire the Beauty of Wat Non Kum

Last but not least, be sure to stop by and check out Wat Non Kum on your way back to Bangkok, as the temple is located along the main highway, 48 km from Korat.

The temple is best known for its striking design and is home to one of the largest statues of Luang Por To (Somdej Toh Promrangsi) in Thailand. While it is a relatively new temple with not much historical background, it compensates for this with its grandeur and extravagant decor that will leave you in awe the moment you see it.

Its surrounding gardens and ponds also help make the place a wonderful spot to rest and enjoy a stroll. There's also a well shaded cafe you can relax as you admire the stunning view of the temple. The temple is open from 9 AM to 4:30 PM every day, and there is no entrance fee to enter. .

What to Eat and Drink in Korat?

1. Eat Breakfast at ChaKaFair

A place I frequently visit every morning for breakfast in Korat is ChaKaFair, an open-air restaurant that offers a diverse range of Thai traditional breakfast options, from dim sums to the delicious Khai Grata or pan-fried eggs.

You can also order Thai-style iced coffee, which pairs excellently with all the breakfast options available. The place attracts many customers every morning, so there might be a short wait for a table, but I guarantee that it's worth it.

ChaKaFair restaurant is open from 7 AM to 2 PM every day except on Mondays. You can expect to pay around 100-150 THB per person, which may not be dirt cheap like if you were to eat at a morning market, but still extremely affordable for the amount and quality you get. Highly recommended!

2. Try Isaan Food at Larb Nua

If you want to try the real Isaan traditional cuisine, Larb Nua Restaurant is a highly recommended choice. They offer a diverse selection of Isaan dishes, including the renowned Larb and Yum.

They really cook it to satisfy the unique Isaan taste buds, which are bold and unapologetically spicy. If you cannot handle spice, let the waiter know, and they will tone it down for you.

The restaurant is open from 11 AM to 10 PM every day. If you want to try the real Isaan food in Korat, this is the place to be.

Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:

Flights: Skyscanner and Expedia are the best places to start looking for cheap flights and great deals from your home country.

Accommodation: Hostelworld, Booking.com, and Agoda.com are the ultimate go-to platforms to search for amazing hostels and hotels at affordable prices.

Travel Insurance: Heymondo covers theft, medical emergencies, cancellations, and more during your travels. Get a 5% discount if you sign up today.

Transportation: 12go is a great place to look for bus and train schedule and buy tickets online in Southeast Asia that would otherwise not have been available in English online.

Car Rental: DiscoverCars.com is a great and reliable platform to find rental cars.

Internet: Airalo is the best way to get a sim card and has reliable internet access for your trip. All you need is an esim compatible smartphone, install it on your phone prior to your trip, and you are all set.

VPN: To stay connected with people at home, I always make sure to have ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and I can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.

Day Trips & Tours: Viator, GetYourGuide and TripAdvisor are great platforms to search for trips and tours to join.

Tickets & Deals: Klook is always my go-to website when I want to find cheaper deals for entrance tickets to tourist attractions.

Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.

Further Reading for Northeastern Thailand

Looking for more information about your trip to Northeastern Thailand? Here are a collection of articles about Northeastern Thailand that you might find useful:

• Tired of the well-trodden parts of Thailand and looking to really go off the beaten path? How about a road trip around Isaan? My itinerary covers all 20 provinces in the Isaan region, and more, so be sure to check it out: One Month Itinerary for Isaan.
• Home to Phanom Rung, one of the most well-preserved Khmer temples in Thailand, Buriram is an awesome place to visit as you explore Southern Isaan. If you plan to visit Buriram, check out Discover Buriram: 11 Awesome Things to Do and More.
• One of the best times to visit Phanom Rung is during the Phanom Rung Festival, where you'll find parades, light and sound shows, and more. Here's a complete guide to visiting the Phanom Rung Festival: Phanom Rung Festival: A Complete Travel Guide
• Passing through Surin and wondering what to do? Check out this travel guide: Visit Surin: 10 Incredible Things to Do and More
• Curious about the coolest things to do in Si Saket? Check out: Discover Si Saket: 11 Amazing Things to Do and More
• One of the best places to visit in Isaan is Ubon Ratchathani. If you're looking for things to do there, check out: Ubon Ratchathani: 14 Amazing Things to Do and More
• If you're passing through Ubon Ratchathani and only have time to explore the city, be sure to check out: Ubon City Guide: 10 Best Things to Do and More
• Planning to cross the land border between Thailand and Cambodia to visit Siem Reap? You might want to stop by Sa Kaeo, a Thai border province full of awesome things to do. For the full guide, check out: Exploring Sa Kaeo: 8 Best Things to Do and More
• Interested in learning more about the unique music of Isaan? Check out this guide: The Sounds of Isaan: Thai Psychedelic Music Unknown to Many – A Guide to Mor Lam.
• Come explore the lesser-known mountainous region of Phetchabun with this travel guide: Discover Phetchabun: 10 Incredible Things to Do and More.
• Tired of the constant heat in Thailand? Escape to the cool mountains of Khao Kho with this guide: A Complete Travel Guide to Khao Kho.
• As a gateway to the mountains of Phetchabun, Lom Sak is the perfect place to stop by before you head into the mountains. For a complete travel guide, check out: A Complete Travel Guide to Lom Sak.
• Want to explore Loei and its mountainous scenery and vibrant culture? Check this out: Exploring Loei: 10 Best Things to Do & More.
• Looking to explore Chiang Khan and its wonderful tourist attractions? You are going to need this travel guide: Chiang Khan Travel Guide: 8 Best Things to Do & More.
• Want to experience the colorful Phi Ta Khon Festival, where locals wear elaborate costumes and ghost masks? Check out this guide: Phi Ta Khon Festival: A Complete Travel Guide.
• Nong Khai is often overlooked by many travelers traveling between Thailand and Laos, but there's so much to do here. If you are interested to explore more of the frontier province of Nong Khai, check out: Explore Nong Khai: 12 Best Things to Do & More.
• Bueng Kan is emerging as Isaan’s new adventure hotspot, known for the famous Naka Cave, Phu Tok mountain, scenic waterfalls, and more. If you're planning a trip to Bueng Kan, don't miss this: Discover Bueng Kan: 10 Best Things to Do & More.
• The walking street and riverside views along the Mekong in Nakhon Phanom are absolutely legendary, and a must-visit in Isaan. If you’re planning a visit, don’t miss my full guide here: Visit Nakhon Phanom: 10 Best Things to Do & More.
• Sleepy Sakon Nakhon is full of surprises—from the colonial French buildings of Tha Rae Village to hidden Khmer temples tucked away in the jungle. Check out this complete travel guide to Sakon Nakhon: Exploring Sakon Nakhon: 10 Best Things to Do & More.
• Udon Thani is a big city with tons of things to do. If you plan to visit Udon Thani, be sure to check out this travel guide: Discover Udon Thani: 10 Awesome Things to Do & More.
• If you’re driving through Nong Bua Lamphu and wondering if there are any places worth seeing, check out this travel guide: Visit Nong Bua Lamphu: 8 Incredible Things to Do & More.
• Khon Kaen is a big province with plenty to do. If you want to visit but aren’t sure where to start, this guide is for you: Discover Khon Kaen: 12 Awesome Things to Do & More.
• Kalasin may be a small province in Isaan, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do. If you’re passing through, be sure to check this out: Kalasin Guide: 8 Best Things to Do & More.
• Mukdahan may not be as popular as other Mekong towns like Chiang Khan or Nakhon Phanom, but it offers a laid-back vibe and chill atmosphere unlike its larger counterparts. Don’t skip Mukdahan! Here’s a complete travel guide to help you explore this lovely province: Exploring Mukdahan: 10 Cool Things to Do & More.
• If you are passing through Amnat Charoen and are wondering what there is to do there, then check out this guide: Visit Amnat Charoen: 9 Best Things to Do & More.
• Yasothon is where the famous Bun Bung Fai Festival or rocket festival takes place, and it's home to some really charming Isaan attractions not many people know about. Here's a complete guide to Yasothon: Discover Yasothon: 10 Incredible Things to Do & More.
• Roi Et is definitely one of my favorite provinces in Isaan, thanks to its beautiful and modern city center, iconic landmarks like the Roi Et Tower, and more. If you’re interested in visiting Roi Et, be sure to check out Explore Roi Et: 12 Amazing Things to Do & More.
• If you are wondering what to do in Maha Sarakham, this guide is for you: Visiting Maha Sarakham: 9 Amazing Things to Do & More.
• If you like mountains and are looking for a true hidden gem of Isaan, which is already a hidden gem in itself, you might want to check out Chaiyaphum, all as I called it the land of beautiful cliffs. Here's a complete guide to Chaiyaphum: Discover Chaiyaphum: 12 Incredible Things to Do & More.
• Looking for a complete travel guide to Southeast Asia? You should check out our 3-Month Backpacking Itinerary for Southeast Asia.
• Looking for an itinerary for Thailand? Check out One Month Itinerary for Thailand.
• If you are traveling to Thailand, it is important for you to know what you should and shouldn't do. Here are 10 Tips for Traveling in Thailand.
• Thai Street Foods are among the best in the world, and to help guide you through the street food cuisine of Thailand, be sure to check out the 15 Best Street Foods in Thailand to Try.
• Learning a bit of Thai phrases will go a long way for you when you visit Thailand. Here are 15 Thai Phrases You Should Know.
• Photos are worth a thousand words, but what is worth more than photos? A video. Here are travel videos I made for Thailand: Timeless Thailand, a journey into the North of Thailand, Long Tail Thailand, exploring the beautiful south of Thailand, and taking it slow with Slowed Down Bangkok travel video.
• Wondering where to go after Thailand? How about continuing on to Malaysia, Myanmar, or Indonesia?
• Want to explore other parts of Thailand? How about exploring Northern Thailand, Southern Thailand or Central Thailand?
• Want to travel from Thailand to Vientiane, Laos? Check this guide out: How to Get From Thailand to Vientiane, Laos & Vice Versa.
• Looking to cross the border from Thailand to Pakse in Southern Laos? Check out: How to Get From Bangkok/Ubon Ratchathani to Pakse, Laos, and Vice Versa.
• Want to cross the border from Mukdahan to Savannakhet in Laos and vice versa? Check out: How to Get From Bangkok/Mukdahan to Savannakhet, Laos & Vice Versa.
• For all articles about Thailand, visit the Thailand Travel Guide page.
• Looking to travel to Southeast Asia? Check out all my articles about Southeast Asia here: Southeast Asia Travel Guide page.
• You can see all my Asia-related articles here: Asia Travel Guide page.
• For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.