Nakhon Ratchasima
Gateway to the northeast
Coming from Bangkok by road or rail, Nakhon Ratchasima, better known as Khorat, is the first big town in the northeast. It’s a busy, bustling place, without any major sights, though there are still remnants of the old city wall and a moat around it.
However, Khorat has plenty of eating and sleeping options, and makes a good base for trips to the Khmer ruins at Phimai to the north and Phanom Rung to the east, both about an hour’s drive away. Another fun side trip is to the village of Dan Kwian, south of Khorat, where the streets are lined with whimsical ceramics.