10 best free (or almost free) things to do in Korat, Nakhon Ratchasima

Nakhon Ratchasima, known to locals as Korat, is a Thai city full of hidden gems. It may not be as famous as Bangkok or Chiang Mai, but it offers a blend of history, culture, and modern attractions, all without the Thailand tourist crowds. Here’s a guide to the 10 best free or cheap things to do in Korat:

This post contains affiliate links. If you click and purchase, I may earn a small comission at no extra cost to you. All opionions are my own.

When I came to Nakhon Ratchasima to meet up with a Thai high school friend who now lives and works in the city, I didn’t expect to stay more than two days. But Korat is an amazing hidden gem and exploring the city without having to deal with the crowds of tourists was great! I highly recommend a visit if you have time in your Thailand itinerary and want to get off the beaten path.

Thao Suranari (Ya Mo) Monument – Honor the Local Heroine

Pay homage to Thao Suranari, a local heroine who bravely defended Korat from invading Burmese forces. The Thao Suranari Monument is a symbol of courage and patriotism. Learn about her story and pay your respects at her statue along with the many locals.

Bung Ta Lua Park

Bung Ta Lua Park is a great place to relax. It’s a beautiful park with a lake to walk (or jog) around. You can also rent bicycles and paint a canvas or different types of ceramic figurines/jewelry trays on the lake shore. The fee is 30 baht for the canvas or 20 for the ceramic pieces including paint, which is an unbeatable deal for the relaxing experience you will get.

Pratu Chumphon – Walk Through the Gate

Pratu Chumphon is a historic gate that once served as a gateway to the city. There’s a fun legend about this old gate: If you walk through it once, you’ll return to Korat in the future; if you walk through it twice, you’ll find love here; if you walk through it three times, you’ll settle down in the city! My local friends and I were quite confused as to what the man who kept walking through was trying to achieve. But whether you believe in superstition or not, it’s still a charming place.

Terminal 21 Korat – See the City from Above

Have you ever heard of the famous Terminal 21 shopping mall in Bangkok? Korat has its own version! And Terminal 21 isn’t just a mall, it’s a mini-trip around the world! The airport theme is reflected throughout, and you can experience a piece of London, Tokyo, Paris, Istanbul, San Francisco or the Caribbean on the themed floors. 

The best part? The free Sky Tower, one of Nakhon Ratchasima’s landmarks. Head to the top for an amazing view of the whole city.

Airplane Park – Continuing the Airplane Theme

To continue the airplane theme, head to Korat’s Airplane Park. Located about 18 km outside the city center, I highly recommend taking a Grab or Bolt. Be sure to compare prices as Bolt can sometimes be cheaper. When you arrive, you’ll find exactly what you’d expect: a parked airplane. 

The atmosphere is super nice though, and you can get as close to the abandoned 747 as you’d like. There’s a small fee to enter, but if you’ve ever been on an airplane, I’d recommend investing the money in a coffee or lunch at the adjacent Takeoff Café – with a view of the plane, of course!

Wat Rat Bamrung and Wat Muang

No visit to any Thai city would be complete without a temple, and Nakhon Ratchasima is no different. Wat Rat Bamrung is one of the most beautiful temples in Korat, so make sure to take a moment to admire it.

Located less than a 5 minute walk from Wat Rat Bamrung, Wat Muang is a beautiful Buddhist temple in its own right. It is quite new and you can tell by the amount of detail and design that has gone into the temple.

Local Café Culture

Korat boasts a thriving cafe culture, some locals will even say “too many”, which I can only agree with – from the perspective of not being able to try them all… 

Numerous cozy cafes serve delicious coffee. One of my favorites is Papa & Mama Cafe, where the owner was so excited to see a farang (foreigner) in her shop that she took a picture of me in the shop – on her phone.

If you’re looking for a co-working spot, the chain Class Café is one of the local favorites. There is a branch near Wat Bun that is open 24 hours.

Wat Non Kum

Take an excursion to the most beautiful temple in Thailand – at least in my opinion. Located 45 minutes outside of Korat, it is well worth a visit! The architecture is incredibly beautiful, the grounds are very peaceful and the golden Buddha in the golden dome is impressive!

Phi Mai Historical Park

If you drive an hour in the opposite direction, you will arrive in Phi Mai, a charming town with a beautiful historical park. The architecture is reminiscent of Angkor Wat, only smaller and without the crowds!

Also be sure to visit เดินมา Hidden Coffee Slow Bar, one of the cutest cafes I have ever been to! It’s right on the water and the atmosphere is incredibly peaceful.

Night Markets

Thailand’s night markets never disappoint, and Nakhon Ratchasima is no exception. They offer a wide range of delicious and reasonably priced street food, handicrafts and the occasional second-hand item of clothing. I personally loved the Wat Boon Night Market, which is the perfect size and offers plenty of variety.