CITY ATTRACTIONS |
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| AMPHOE MUANG (อำเภอเมือง)
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The Monument of
Thao Suranaree
(อนุสาวรีย์ท่านท้าวสุรนารี)
or Khun Ying Mo is situated in front of the old gate of "Pratu Chumpon" on the
west side of the city. This monument was rerected in 1934 to commemorate the heroic deed
of Khun Ying Mo, wife of Deputy Governor of Khorat during the reign of King Rama III, who
managed to save the city from the invasion of the Laotian army led by Prince Anuwong of
Vientiane. Every year from March 23 to April 3, there is a celebration to honour this
statue which draw thousands of people from towns and neighbouring provinces. Wat Phra narai Maharaj (วัดพระนารายณ์มหาราช) on Prachak Road houses an image of Narayana (Hindu God) made of sandstone, this statue is considered the major sacred object of the city. The City Pillar is also enshrined in this temple. Wat Sala Thong (ศาลาทอง) An ancient temple at Ban Hau Taleh, Wat Sala Thong is located on a knoll. The surroundings used to be dense forest with a stting Buddha statue made of stone which was later roofed over by a Bot. Originally there were four Holy Relics brought over from Chiang Tung, two of which were later enshrined in the chedi at Wat Phra Si Mahathat in Bangkok. A larger chedi was subsequently built over the original chedi. Homage-paying ceremonies are held at the statue yearly during Sonkran, the Thai New Year. Wat Pha Salawan (วัดป่าสาละวัน) is located behind nakhon Ratchasima Railways station. This monastery houses the relics of Acharn Man, Acharn Tim, and Acharn Sao, three holy well known Buddhist monks of Thailand. Mahaweerawong National Museum (พิพิธภัณฑ์สถานแห่งชาติมหาวีรวงศ์) opposite to the City Hall (behind the Provincial liabrary), exhibits various arts objects and artifacts donated to Somdet Maha Weerawong, e.g. sandstone Buddha images of Khmer and Ayutthaya period, Bronze Buddha images, different sizes of ceramics and wood carvings from ancient monasteries. It is opened every day from 09.00-16.00 hrs. Administration fee is 10 baht per person. Khorat Craft Center (ศูนย์จำหน่ายของดีโคราช) is in front of the Provincial Hall, various kinds of local products are on sale, such as silk cloth. local weaving cloth, ceramics, plant by products, artificial flowers etc. Open every day from 08.30-16.30 hrs. For more information Tel. 242911. Prasat Hin Phanom Wan (ปราสาทหินพนมวัน) is located 20 kilometers from town. It can be reached by following Nakhon Ratchasima - Khon Kaen Highway; then turing right a kilometer 14-15 and travelling on for 5 kilometers. Prasat Hin Phanom Wan is smaller than Prasat Hin Pimai but they are similar in their structural plan, facing the east. It was built during the 10th - 11th centuray to worship Lord Shiva. Indeed in the 11th century, the centre had been Rattanapura town so that it had received better preservation from the state people. It was abandoned in the 12th century, but in the Ayutthaya period it was adapted to be a Buddhist temple until the Ratanakosin (Bangkok) period. On the gate a Khmer inscription was found, mentioning the year 1082 A.D; the southern lintel has also the sign of King Rama V, commemorating his visit here. There is some evidence of other prangs in the compound; a brick ruin, a part of a sandstone door. Some show distinctive signs of secondary restorations at later periods, i.e. Ayutthaya. Miss Boonlua Memorial (อนุสรณ์สถานนางบุญเหลือ) is located in Boonlua Vidhyanusorn school, 12 kms. from the city on the highway to Chaiyaphum. The statue is to commemorate the heroic deed of Miss Boonlua and the people of Nakhon Ratchasima who died in the Battle of Tung Samrit in 1826. Khorat Night Bazar (โคราชไนท์บาซ่าร์) Conveniently located close to the city center in Manat Road which is between Chompol and Mahatthai Road. The Bazaar has been established as an outlet for local souvenirs, handicrafts such as Pak Thongchai silk and Dan Kwien pottery and of course delicious food and fruits; all the above sold at extremely reasonable prices. Opens everyday from 18.00-22.00 hrs. Nakhon Ratchasima Zoological (สวนสัตว์นครราชสีมา) It is 19 kms. away from Nakhon Ratchasima on Nakhon Ratchasima-Pak Thong Chai Road (highway No. 304). It is the fifth zoo of Thailand covers an area of 545 rais. There are lot of interesting wildlife animals; for example, bison, hog deer, and animal of the antler kind, wild gibbon, langur, snake, wild cat etc. Moreover, there are variety of different species of birds; for example, classawari birds from Africa, sarus crane, Thai and Indian peacokcs, etc. The zoo open everyday from 08.00-18.00 hrs. Admission fee; adult 30 Baht, child 10 Baht (car 30 Baht, bus 40 Baht). For further information call 044-216353. The Petrified Wood Park (อุทยานไม้กลายเป็นหิน) A park and museum is being met by the Nakhon Ratchasima Provinced Authorities to preserve petrified wood found in surrounding areas. The petrified woods have been found from ground level down to a depth of 6 meters. They vary from the size of pebbles to pieces of more than 50 cm. in diameter with length of over one meter. More than 10,000 pieces have been discovered so far ranging from 1 to 70 million years old. The park is located at Ban Kroke Duan Ha, Tambon Suranaree. To reach it take highway No. 304 (Nakhon Ratchasima-Pak Thong Chai) and proceed on for 19 km. Then turn right into the Suranaree Technology University (using 2nd gate) for about three kilometers and turn left to the Mitraphap-Nong Pling by-pass for two km. until the left-turn to Wat Kroke Duan Ha. |
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