I won’t pretend Korat is the most exciting of Thai cities but if in the area it is worth a visit… I guess. When travelling from Bangkok; Korat (short for ‘Nakhon Ratchasima’) is the halfway point to the borders of Laos and Cambodia. This makes it a handy stopover for breaking up long haul journeys. It is also the closest major city to Bangkok in the Isaan area (Northeastern Thailand). Hence dubbed the gateway to Isaan. Korat city centre is easily covered in a day with the easy starting point at Korat City Gate (Pratu Chumphon). The gate also known as ‘Ya mo Entrance’ after the revered heroine of Korat ‘Ya Mo’ (Granny Mo) who took back the city from invading Laotians (Yes Granny Mo is a woman). In the surrounding area you find all sorts of shrines and monuments celebrating Ya Mo. Next to the presiding Ya Mo statue you will also find a smaller city gate which myths say; if passed through the visitor will either return to Korat someday or marry someone from Korat. To be safe I didn’t pass through.
Night Bazaar Korat (NBK)
The night Bazaar is the evening hangout for Korati cool kids. Highlighted by the endless rows of motorbikes which line every road in the area. The night market is probably the best place for excitement and to find a unique local youth culture. If uninterested in the maze of shopping and clothes stalls (like myself) there is also a whole lot of eating going on. For booze and barbecue a Moo Kata Restaurant sits opposite the entrance. The ‘Night Bazaar Korat’ or ‘Korat Night Market’ to be less confusing is easy to find in Korat City Centre. It sits next to the suave Dusit Princess Korat Hotel.
What to Eat in Korat?
Isaan Food. Unsurprisingly it’s found everywhere in Korat City Centre. Check here for our guide to Isaan Food. A couple of my favourites on this trip were the local Som Tam Korat (Papaya Salad with Pickled Fish Sauce), Yum Kor Moo Yang (Grilled Pork Neck Salad) and Kai Yang (Grilled Chicken). Eat with Khao Niew (Sticky Rice).
Getting to and From Korat City Centre
Regular buses leave from Bangkok’s Mo Chit station. They cost around 220 Baht and take 3 to 4 hours (depending on traffic). We arrive to Korat City Centre jumping off at ‘The Mall’ the daytime hang out for Korati cool kids. The Mall if you haven’t guessed is a large shopping centre – the largest in Northeastern Thailand. A handy transit point for Tuk-Tuks, motorbikes and local Songtaews. It is the second busiest transit point after the Ya Mo monument area. When leaving Korat the bus station is easy to reach from the Korat City Centre. A 70 Baht Tuk-Tuk should find it from all areas. Trains also pass through Korat on the Bangkok / Isaan line.
For hotels we stayed at the V-One Trendy and Boutique Hotel. It was okay. The Dusit Princess is the obvious choice in Korat City Centre but is also the most expensive. Check here for full List of Korat Hotels>>
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