Nakhon Ratchasima Off The Beaten Path

This temple is fairly new, easily notice while travelling from Bangkok to Korat as it located beside the highway no.2 Mitraprap Rd in area of Sikhio district. The main reason people visit here as to pay respect to the biggest image of Luang Phor To enshrince inside the big Viharn where still building but a lot locals and visitors come, and it's very crowded with locals from anywhere who want to see the biggest image of Luang Phor ! The temple is about half hour drive away from Korat town.

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This temple, which is located outside the north-east of the old city, was founded by Thao Suranari and her husband in 1827. Her ashes are interred here along with a statue which is very similar in design to her memorial near the Chumphon Gate. The modern bot was built in 1967 and resembles a Chinese junk boat.

Its rest area by the reservoir in Sekhiu district, around half hour drive from Korat town. We come here from time to time for a nice meal with a great view of reservoir. The food is most local food, delicious. We sit for a meal in a little hut by the water area. Its relaxing atmosphere and very popular for local especially on the weekend.

Village Farm & Winery is a famous place of Wang Nam Khieo District. It's beautiful area, there's area of vineyard, wine factory, restaurant and resort. We visited this place several times, love getting there in cool season ( Nov-Jan ).

Although Wang nam Khieo is around 70-80 kms from Korat city but I love driving up there, many vineyards in the area open for visitors to walk in the vineyards. Some places have a shop sell their own products. In the photo was at Ta Wan Kaw Vineyards locate on the route to Khao Pang Ma.

Just traveling through the Highway No 2 between Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima at around the 196-197-km markers, you can see the large water area called Lam Takhong from the highway. Lam Takhong is in the area border between Pakchong District and Sikhio District. There're also many local restaurants in the area, serve local foods. You can make a stop, enjoy the meal and great view of the reservoir.

When you see word Wat Pa in front of the name of temple, you can picture the area of the temple with a lot of trees like a little forest. (pa = forest, wat = temple). Wat Pa usually is not located in town, locals come to take part in religious activities and also a place for practice meditation. Previously Wat Pa Salawan located outside the town but nowadays the town is getting bigger and bigger so the temple is in the living area now.

The area within the temple is peaceful and in the photo is the beautiful Chedi which just recently be built.

I haved live in Korat all of my life but just few weeks ago, had a chance visiting this ruins of ancient Khmer site. It is another Prasat Hin of Korat as you may have heard only the famous one Prasat Hin Phimai and it is about 60 kms out of town. This one is at the ege of the town around 15 min drive. I drove up there, well no one, no visitors, no tourist at all, This small ruins of ancient Khmer architectural work piece called Prasat Phanom Wan, believed it was built in the 15th Buddhist century. Even thought it's small place but I enjoyed take a stroll inside and the area all around, temple and local living area.

To get there, take highway no 2, when pass Jho ho junction, then drive another few kms and turn right into Tumbon Ban Pho, drive up for 5 kms you will see the site.

It is in the area of Wat Pa-Yap, temple in town. The cave is not real cave but built by real stalagmites and stalactites, monk said they taken from Saraburi Province where doing explode a quarry. Above the cave is a monk residence.

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OK, some pictures here from Pimai and the Burial Site and a temple. Not to bore you guys but most information can be read here from other members. They have detailed description. But walking into Pimai gives me a feeling of calm..and self -reflection... Cost - 100B entry.