Nakhon Ratchasima (often shortened to Khorat, Thai นครราชสีมา) is one of the north-eastern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (clockwise, from north) Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Buriram, Srakaeo, Prachinburi, Nakhon Nayok, Saraburi, Lopburi.

Contents

1 Geography 2 History 3 Symbols 4 Administrative divisions 5 External links

Geography

The province is located on the western end of the Khorat Plateau. 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

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 26 districts (Amphoe) and 6 minor districts (King Amphoe). The districts are further subdivided into 293 communes (tambon) and 3423 villages.

Amphoe		King Amphoe
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 Bunnak Kaeng Sanam Nang Non Daeng Wang Nam Khiao Chaloem Phra Kat	Thepharak Mueang Yang Phra Thong Kham Lam Thamenchai Bua Lai Sida

External links

• Province page from the Tourist Authority of Thailand
• Golden Jubilee Network province guide
• Official website