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Nakhon Ratchasima

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Nakhon Ratchasima is a major urban center in Thailand. It serves as the capital of the Nakhon Ratchasima province. The city is located in the northeastern part of the country. This region is known as Isan. Nakhon Ratchasima is the largest city in Isan. It is also the third-largest city in all of Thailand. Most people call the city Korat. This is a shortened version of its name.

Nakhonratchasima
Nakhonratchasima

The city sits at the western edge of the Korat Plateau. Historically, it functioned as a boundary. It marked the line between Lao and Siam territories. This location makes it a gateway to the Lao-speaking northeast. The name Nakhon Ratchasima is a portmanteau. It combines the names Nakhon Raj and Sema. These names have roots in Sanskrit. They refer to a city with a defensive wall.

Thao Suranaree statue
Thao Suranaree statue

The history of the area is very old. Before the 14th century, the Khmer empire ruled this land. At that time, the city was known by Khmer names like Angkor raj. Phimai was a more important site to the north. In the 17th century, King Narai of Ayutthaya changed the area. He ordered a new city to be built. He wanted a stronghold on the northeastern frontier. The city became a second-class city of the Ayutthaya Kingdom.

Thao Suranaree statue
Thao Suranaree statue

Conflict shaped the city during the 1800s. In 1826, King Chao Anouvong of Vientiane attacked Korat. This happened during the Laotian Rebellion. A woman named Lady Mo is a famous hero from this time. She was the wife of the deputy governor. She is credited with freeing the city from the army. A statue of Lady Mo stands in the city center today. The city also has an old wall and a moat. A French engineer is believed to have designed these defenses.

Thao Suranaree statue
Thao Suranaree statue

Transportation has helped the city grow. The Royal State Railways of Siam began service in 1900. King Chulalongkorn officially opened the line.

2019 0211 Nakhon Ratchasima train station
2019 0211 Nakhon Ratchasima train station

The railway connects Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani and Nong Khai. There are two main stations in the city. Mittraphap Road is another vital route. It connects Bangkok to the provincial capitals. A new motorway is also under construction. This will reduce travel time to Bangkok to about two hours.

The economy relies on several different sectors. Agriculture is the most traditional part of the economy. Korat is a processing center for rice, tapioca, and sugar. The Isan region produces half of Thailand's exports for these goods. These crops employ 700,000 families in the region. The city also has a technology sector. Seagate Technology manufactures disk drives in Korat. This factory employs 12,100 workers.

2019 02 Central Mall Korat exterior
2019 02 Central Mall Korat exterior

Retail is also growing. Large department stores have opened many outlets here.

2019 0210 Terminal 21 Korat 05
2019 0210 Terminal 21 Korat 05

Nakhon Ratchasima is a hub for education and health. There are four universities in the area. Many schools and hospitals serve the population.

Bangkok Hospital (Korat)
Bangkok Hospital (Korat)

Sports are a major part of local life. The 80th Birthday Stadium can hold 20,000 people.

Korat v Thailand XI
Korat v Thailand XI

This stadium hosts national football and volleyball matches. As of 2021, the urban population was 466,098. This makes the city a vital part of the Thai landscape.

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🖼️ Images & Media (7)
File:Nakhonratchasima.JPG
Nakhonratchasima.JPG
File:2019 0211 Nakhon Ratchasima train station.jpg
2019 0211 Nakhon Ratchasima train station.jpg
File:2019 0210 Terminal 21 Korat 05.jpg
2019 0210 Terminal 21 Korat 05.jpg
File:2019 02 Central Mall Korat exterior.jpg
2019 02 Central Mall Korat exterior.jpg
File:Thao Suranaree statue.jpg
Thao Suranaree statue.jpg
File:Bangkok Hospital (Korat).jpg
Bangkok Hospital (Korat).jpg
File:Korat v Thailand XI.JPG
Korat v Thailand XI.JPG
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