| Statistics | |
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| Capital: | Nakhon Ratchasima |
| Area: | 20,494.0 km² Ranked 1st |
| Inhabitants: | 2,555,587 (December 31, 2006) Ranked 2nd |
| Pop. density: | 125 inh./km² Ranked 34th |
| ISO 3166-2: | TH-30 |
| Governor: | Suthi Makbun (since October 2007) |
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Nakhon Ratchasima (Thai: นครราชสีมา), often shortened to Korat or Khorat, is one of the north-eastern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (clockwise, from north) Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Buriram, Sa Kaeo, Prachinburi, Nakhon Nayok, Saraburi, Lopburi. The capital of the province is the city of Nakhon Ratchasima, also called Korat or Khorat.
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Geography
The province is located on the western end of the Khorat Plateau, separated from the Chao Phraya river valley by the Phetchabun and Dong Phaya Yen mountain ranges. Two national parks are in the province - the Khao Yai in the west and the Thab Lan in the south.
History
The area around Korat was an important center already in the times of the Khmer empire in the 11th century, as can be seen by the temple ruins in the Phimai historical park.
Symbols
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The provincial seal shows a monument of Thao Suranaree (1772-1852), the local hero of the province. She was the wife of the governmental councillor, when in 1826 she gathered the local people to assist the Thai army to fight the Laotian King Anouvong. King Rama III gave her the honorary title Tao Suranaree in recognition of her bravery.
The provincial tree is Millettia leucantha |
Administrative divisions
The province is subdivided into 32 districts (Amphoe). The districts are further subdivided into 293 communes (tambon) and 3423 villages (muban).
- Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima
- Khon Buri
- Soeng Sang
- Khong
- Ban Lueam
- Chakkarat
- Chok Chai
- Dan Khun Thot
- Non Thai
- Non Sung
- Kham Sakaesaeng
- Bua Yai
- Prathai
- Pak Thong Chai
- Phimai
- Huai Thalaeng
- Chum Phuang
- Sung Noen
- Kham Thale So
- Sikhio
- Pak Chong
- Nong Bun Mak
- Kaeng Sanam Nang
- Non Daeng
- Wang Nam Khiao
- Thepharak
- Mueang Yang
- Phra Thong Kham
- Lam Thamenchai
- Bua Lai
- Sida
- Chaloem Phra Kiat
- As of May 15, 2007, the Government has upgraded all those 81 King Amphoe to Amphoe in order to facilitate the administration.
24th SEA Games at Nakhon Ratchasima
On 24 February 2006, northeast Thailand's Nakhon Ratchasima Province authorities met to discuss the 2007 SEA Games schedule, and progress on the province's under-construction US$77 million sports complex. Presided over by governor Somboon Ngamlak, the meeting provided an overview of facilities, and ended with reassurances that facilities would be ready for SEA Games in 2007.
External links
- Province page from the Tourist Authority of Thailand
- Official website
- Nakhon Ratchasima provincial map, coat of arms and postal stamp
- 24th Southeast Asian Games Nakhon Ratchasima 2007 Website
