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Also known as Khorat,
Nakhon Ratchasima, gateway to Thailand's
northeast region, which is also known as I-San in Thai,
is a
largely rural area and the least changed part of
the country and it is also the second largest
city in Thailand.
The province has a
long recorded history and during the pre-Thai
period was an important outpost of the ancient
Khmer civilization centered on Angkor, in
Cambodia. The largest and finest of several
Khmer ruins sites in the area is Phimai, an
11th-century temple complex that has been well
restored. The city most recognized landmark is
the Khun Ying Mo statue (Thao Suranari Memorial)
a local heroine who fought the invading Lao
armies during the reign of Rama III and this
shrine is usually full visitors offering prayers
of gifts.
Besides places of
historical and cultural interest, Nakhon
Ratchasima is also home to vast tracts of Khao
Yai National Park, ranked as one of the
country's finest nature preserves and featuring
a great diversity of habitats from evergreen
rainforest to savannah and for art lovers, a
visit to the Mahawirawong National Museum is a
must.
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