Nakorn Ratchasima Museums

Amphoe Muang

Maha Wirawong National Museum

Maha Wirawong National Museum is in Wat Sutthachinda opposite the provincial hall. It displays items that Somdet Phra Maha Wirawong, the ex-abbot of Wat Sutthachinda, collected, as well as artefacts that the Fine Arts Department found in Nakhon Ratchasima and nearby provinces and donations. Most items are Buddha images, including stone images of the Khmer period, images from the Ayutthaya period, bronze images, earthenware, ancient utensils, and woodcarving. The museum is open during 9 a.m.-4 p.m. from Wednesday to Sunday. It is closed on public holidays. The entry fee is 10 baht. For information, call tel. 0- 4424-2958.

Rajabhat Nakhon Ratchasima Arts and Cultural Centre

Rajabhat Nakhon Ratchasima Arts and Cultural Centre is on Suranarai Road. Upon entering Rajabhat Institute, turn left at the sign to a two-story wooden house and Khorat House where information is collected and kept. Also displayed are tools and artefacts that are used to study the way of life of Khorat and northeastern people of the past. The centre is divided into sections, such as Khorat city, ancient documents, local occupation, Isan fabrics, Khorat goods, music, and Khorat people. It is open on weekdays during public hours. For information, call 0 -4424-6341 ext. 1216 and fax 0-4424-4739.

Amphoe Non Sung

Ban Prasat Archaeological Site

Ban Prasat Archaeological Site is at Moo 7, Ban Prasat Tai, Tambon Than Prasat. From the city, take Highway No. 2 (Nakhon Ratchasima-Khon Kaen) for 44 kilometre and turn right for 1 kilometre. If going by bus from Bangkok or Nakhon Ratchasima, take a line going to Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Nong Khai, or Kalasin. Get off at the 44-km marker and take a hired motorcycle into the village.

Ban Prasat is the second archaeological site (the first was Ban Chiang) to be set up as an outdoor museum. Findings indicate that the area was once inhabited by a prehistory to early history community. A community of the Dvaravati and Khmer periods thrived here 1,500-3,000 years ago. There are 3 pits that have been landscaped and open to the public. Discoveries include human skeletons and many pottery pieces that were dug up from various levels. They tell us about human evolution and community beliefs and culture of generations of people living in the same area through the years.

Amphoe Pak Chong

Military Dog Academy

Military Dog Academy is under the Department of Veterinary, Royal Thai Army. It is Thailand’s largest dog training centre. It is at Tambon Nong Sarai beside Highway No. 2, between the 183-184-km markers. Most of the dogs trained here are German Shepherds and Labrador Retrievers. There is also a club that trains dogs for the public. To promote tourism in military areas, the army allows visitors to see a museum inside that displays mines, weapons from battlefields and dog equipment. The museum is open only on days when there are dog shows. Each show features dog obedience training at the beginner and intermediate levels, explosive and drug detection, maneuvering over obstacles, etc. Shows are held on Sundays during 9.30 -11.30 a.m. (only during November-May). The fee is 40 baht for adults and 20 baht for children. For information, contact the centre at tel. 0-4431- 1990, 0-4431-2809 ext. 9007 or contact the Military Dog Battalion at tel. 0-4431-3666.

Amphoe Phimai

Phimai National Museum

Phimai National Museum at the base of Tha Songkran bridge just before Phimai sanctuary. From Nakhon Ratchasima, take Highway No. 2 for 50 kilometres, then go on Highway No. 206 for 10 kilometres. If taking a bus from Nakhon Ratchasima, you can get on at Bus Terminal 2 in the city.

The museum collects archaeological artefacts and has exhibits on the past cultural prosperity of the Northeast, especially artefacts found in the lower part of the region. There are several sections, including local Isan culture and daily utensils like mortars, cotton chests, carts, monk items, and an area that recounts the history of Phimai and lintels from sanctuaries in Nakhon Ratchasima and the Northeast. Moreover, there are prehistoric artefacts such as ancient pottery, skeletons, tools, and bronze and stone ornaments. Items from early history are Dvaravati-style temple boundary markers and Khmer-style items like columns and parts of buildings, as well as sculptures like Buddha images, god figures and a figure of King Chaiworaman VII made of sandstone found at Phrommathat pagoda in Phimai sanctuary. The second floor is devoted to the past cultural glory of the Northeast, early Isan communities and Khmer cultural influence. The museum is open daily from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The entry fee is 30 baht. For information, call 0-4447-1167.