First time visitor to Korat city. Some questions...

[pacovl46]

Just out of interest, why do you want to stay next to the Mall, do you intend to spend every day shopping???

Surely you would be better staying nearer the nightlife if you intend going out at night that is.

HL

Sounds like you've never been to Korat. ;-) There's is no nightlife. Of course there's some bars, some of the falang operated, and there's quite a few good restaurants, but other than that it's dead at night.

Well you couldn't be more wrong as I have lived here for five years and still do. Thank god it's not like nana or pat pong. So you only think nightlife consists of Gogo bars and coyote bars then.

If you turn left at Big C and head towards Joho and then take a right at the Pegasus Hotel and head towards the Maharat Hospital you will find many Thai restaurants with live music every night also many nightclubs.

Not just on this road but all over the square mile from this road up to the Ban Kho night market on Suranarai Road. And if you haven't been to this area or this market then you don't know what your missing as the whole area is overloaded with students from all the universities on Suranarai Road. This market is packed out every night and has many food outlets of all types, all well used by the locals. Not as big as save one but just as busy. The nightclub next to the market Ban Gru, is the only one in Korat that I know of, to stay open till five ish although it's just about 100 percent young Thai's as its clientele.

But as the OP has now stated that he is not interested in alcohol or female company then I guess he is doing the right thing staying at the Mall....lol

HL

No, I don't think of nightlife as go-go bars at all, but that's what the majority of people who come to Thailand think it is. Nightlife also includes discos and there's only one as far as I know, but discos haven't been my scene for two decades now. I'd rather go to a nice lounge with some background music that still allows you to have a civilized conversation instead of having to yell at each other! ;-)

Edited February 12, 2014 by pacovl46

[happylarry]

Just out of interest, why do you want to stay next to the Mall, do you intend to spend every day shopping???

Surely you would be better staying nearer the nightlife if you intend going out at night that is.

HL

Sounds like you've never been to Korat. ;-) There's is no nightlife. Of course there's some bars, some of the falang operated, and there's quite a few good restaurants, but other than that it's dead at night.

Well you couldn't be more wrong as I have lived here for five years and still do. Thank god it's not like nana or pat pong. So you only think nightlife consists of Gogo bars and coyote bars then.

If you turn left at Big C and head towards Joho and then take a right at the Pegasus Hotel and head towards the Maharat Hospital you will find many Thai restaurants with live music every night also many nightclubs.

Not just on this road but all over the square mile from this road up to the Ban Kho night market on Suranarai Road. And if you haven't been to this area or this market then you don't know what your missing as the whole area is overloaded with students from all the universities on Suranarai Road. This market is packed out every night and has many food outlets of all types, all well used by the locals. Not as big as save one but just as busy. The nightclub next to the market Ban Gru, is the only one in Korat that I know of, to stay open till five ish although it's just about 100 percent young Thai's as its clientele.

But as the OP has now stated that he is not interested in alcohol or female company then I guess he is doing the right thing staying at the Mall....lol

HL

No, I don't think of nightlife as go-go bars at all, but that's what the majority of people who come to Thailand think it is. Nightlife also includes discos and there's only one as far as I know, but discos haven't been my scene for two decades now. I'd rather go to a nice lounge with some background music that still allows you to have a civilized conversation instead of having to yell at each other! ;-)

If that is what you are after then I still suggest you come up to the area I am talking about because the Dusit Princess Hotel has a very nice bar area that will suit you perfectly, mind you the drinks are expensive.

As for disco's, I really don't know where there are any, all the clubs I know about have live bands and only play disco songs between bands. Oh there is one....next to Dawan Dang night club , up opposite Sima Thani Hotel. If you want some names of clubs ....Dawan Dang, Update, Bar Nana, U bar, Krung Thep Ratchasima,

Ban Korat, Ban Gru.....is that enough for you. I don't see how you can say there is no nightlife just because there are no lounge bars that suit you. Korat is a big city and many of the young from around the province also live here so where do you think they go at night, have a drive up Suranarai road one night and around that area you will be surprised my friend.

HL

[JeffreyWitty]

My apologies if any of my suggestions have been mentioned before -

Get transport to go eat/spend the day at FARM CHOK CHAI - best steak in Thailand! (Not cheap) Very good spot to bring a family of all ages. About an hour-ish outta town. WORTH the drive!

Again, transport needed but visti WAT BAH LAK LOY. Craziest temple I have ever seen - looks like it was designed by Marilyn Manson for some rock video.

[pacovl46]

1. The zoo is quite nice. Google maps coordinates (simply copy and past them into google maps): 14.850268,102.074833

2. They also have a petrified wood museum, quite close to the zoo, but just like the zoo it's not in town. Coordinates: 14.85801,102.027012

3. Phimai historical part is definitely worth seeing. You can take a bus to Phimai from the main bus station in Korat which isn't that far from the mall. It's about 30 clicks from Korat to Phimai. Coordinates: Phimai 15.221086,102.493835

Bus station in Korat: 14.98911,102.094687

4. There's a place called Sai Ngam that features a mangrove cove that's a thousand years old, if I remember correctly. You can walk underneeath the trees and check out the awesome aerial roots which have turned into additional trunks. The entire cove is one organism. It's on the way to Khon Khaen. Coordinates: 15.226376,102.504189

5. About 50 clicks in direction of Bangkok is an ancient (1000+ year old) reclining Buddha statue in a temple called Wat Dhammmarachraksemaram. The village it's in is called Sung Noen. Coordinates: 14.917013,101.79423

6. In Korat you will find a tiny temple called Wat Phayap a.k.a. cave temple which's walls and ceilings are decorated with crystals and stalagmites/stalactites. Coordinates: 14.978534,102.099315

7. In regards to national parks there's Khao Yai national park (you can take a bus to Pak Chong and then rent a scooter in Pak Chong and drive to the park yourself. If you really want to explore this park you will need a vehicle. The fee for the scooters is 300/day. You can rent them in the park as well, but they're more expensive). Coordinates of the scooter rental place: 14.70289,101.412392

Then there's Wang Nam Khiao. I've been there only once during an English camp and have no idea what's there that's worth seeing. Wikipedia might be able to tell you. Coordinates: 14.70289,101.412392

Then there's a park that's adjacent of Khao Yai called Thaplan. You can book trekking tours there. They have a 4 day-tour. You will hike 2 days into the jungle to a place where there's 3 over 100 meter long fossilized dinosaur footsteps in the rock next to a creek. I'm not sure if you can book the tour in the park. The best way would probably to google it. Coordinates:

14.252404,102.086134

8. Also on the way to Khon Khaen is a 900+ year old temple ruin called Prasat Phanom Wan. You can search for that on google maps. It's about 20 clicks from Korat. You could do that together with Sai Ngam. Coordinates: 15.025095,102.193653

9. 134 clicks east of Korat are two ancient temple ruins worth seeing. They're a few clicks apart from each other. The first one (closer to Korat and up on a hill with a great view on clear days) is called Phanom Rung Historical Park. Coordinates: 14.531703,102.940412

The second one is called Mueang Tam. It's 141 clicks from Korat. Coordinates: 14.496119,102.98245

10. Korat has a park that's open until 8 pm or so. If jogging or inline skating is your thing then that's the place to do it. There's a lake in the middle and the track around it is just over 3 km long. Coordinates of the park entrance: 14.963438,102.090103

11. On the way from Korat to Bangkok is a cave called Khao Chan-Ngam which features prehistoric cave paintings. It's more an overhang than a cave, though, but the place is really nice!! It's about 60 clicks from Korat. Coordinates: 14.814705,101.595318 There's a temple there, too, called Wat Khao Chan Ngam.

12. Also in direction of Bangkok from the Khao Chan-Ngam cave is a gigantic white marble buddha statue located on a mountainside. It's clearly visible from the main road. The temple it belongs to is called Wat Thep Phitak Punnaram. Coordinates: 14.616278,101.26545

Wow! What an informative post! I will print off and save in my car for when we want to go out for the day. Many thanks.

I'm glad I could be of service, and you're welcome! ;-)

[ableguy]

The rich hotel near Makro ( opposite side of road or Siri hotel both around 800 baht.

[Dannyboy6]

The rich hotel near Makro ( opposite side of road or Siri hotel both around 800 baht.

. 3 months ago I stayed at Rich Hotel for a month and it was 400 and 500 for some of the rooms , their was some construction, and their is a Short Time Hotel next to it , maybe called Max, same owner, also Restaurant at beginning of Soi is Excellent Seafood place and regular Thai Food...

[Spaniel]

When I'm in Korat I always stay at the Sri Patana hotel and highly recommend it. For a bit cheaper price go down the road a bit and try the Tokyo Hotel.

[Dannyboy6]

When I'm in Korat I always stay at the Sri Patana hotel and highly recommend it. For a bit cheaper price go down the road a bit and try the Tokyo Hotel.

any price Quotes for either, Thx

[Bucko]

http://www.chaophayainn.com/ for Google>>> 14.974015,102.097

I have stayed here a few times-- I like the place -- A Plaza round the corner --Tuk-Tuks outside --of course --to get to "The Mall "

I did walk/stroll there-- via the Chumpon Gate/Moat area--I"m guessing about 30min direct--as I was out for the afternoon and stopped for a look at various things -along with a beer and eats --Perhaps someone here on T.V can be more precise

can also be booked on Agoda----Just one thing--very hard beds--otherwise an O.K place

Edited February 19, 2014 by Bucko

[Spaniel]

When I'm in Korat I always stay at the Sri Patana hotel and highly recommend it. For a bit cheaper price go down the road a bit and try the Tokyo Hotel.

any price Quotes for either, Thx

It has been almost 2 years since I stayed at the Sri Patana but I think I paid B500 plus B50 for the breakfast. Would recommend skipping the breakfast as not worth even B50. At the time they were doing some renovation work so if now completed then they may have raised their rates. I stay there more for nostalgic reasons although I do like the location too. I first stayed there in 1968 when they opened and lived there for a while in the early '70's when I was working in Korat. You could get a cheap room at the Tokyo for around B300. Another good choice is the Siri Hotel, not far from the SP. www.sirihotelkorat.com

[Dannyboy6]

When I'm in Korat I always stay at the Sri Patana hotel and highly recommend it. For a bit cheaper price go down the road a bit and tryO the Tokyo Hotel.

any price Quotes for either, Thx

It has been almost 2 years since I stayed at the Sri Patana but I think I paid B500 plus B50 for the breakfast. Would recommend skipping the breakfast as not worth even B50. At the time they were doing some renovation work so if now completed then they may have raised their rates. I stay there more for nostalgic reasons although I do like the location too. I first stayed there in 1968 when they opened and lived there for a while in the early '70's when I was working in Korat. You could get a cheap room at the Tokyo for around B300. Another good choice is the Siri Hotel, not far from the SP. www.sirihotelkorat.com

. Much appreciated ...

[Spaniel]

When I'm in Korat I always stay at the Sri Patana hotel and highly recommend it. For a bit cheaper price go down the road a bit and try the Tokyo Hotel.

any price Quotes for either, Thx

After replying to you about the Sri Pattana Hotel I was wondering about the current price as we will probably visit Korat this year so I did a search and the current price is now B1100, so from looking at the pictures posted I'd say they completed the renovations and have raised their price from the B500 I last paid. The Siri Hotel looks like a pretty good deal though at B650.

Edited February 20, 2014 by Spaniel

[Dannyboy6]

The rich hotel near Makro ( opposite side of road or Siri hotel both around 800 baht.

. 3 months ago I stayed at Rich Hotel for a month and it was 400 and 500 for some of the rooms , their was some construction, and their is a Short Time Hotel next to it , maybe called Max, same owner, also Restaurant at beginning of Soi is Excellent Seafood place and regular Thai Food...

. I sit in Grill now, I think New Management, wow so disappointing , never again , I even ordered TBone, 380 baht, not very good, Sorry, also short time hotel is called Boss next to Rich which is now 550baht for room...

[DB2]

Airport hotel not bad, bit out of town but lots of good local shops

[Dannyboy6]

Airport hotel not bad, bit out of town but lots of good local shops

do you have any price quotes, and how far off main rd. Is airport , I live near Chakarat, Thx

[Rdrokit]

There is a new art museum that opened this month that is supposed to be excellent. I have not been there yet but plan on going next week. It is supposed to be across the street from the Simi Thani Hotel.

As to what expats do who live in Korat, not a lot as most of us are retired and like to take it easy. Some of us play golf a few times a week and get together at local restaurants for dinner a few times a week. I exercise with a group of expats in the mornings and then shoot the sh#t for a while.

I find that since I have retired I am happy doing nothing. lol