Amphoe Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima

Infobox Amphoe
name=Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima
thai=อำเภอเมืองนครราชสีมา
province=Nakhon Ratchasima
coordinates=coord|14|58|16|N|102|5|59|E|type:adm2nd_region:TH
area=755.6
population=429,853
population_as_of=2007
density=570
postal_code=30000, 30280, 30310
geocode=3001

Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima ( _th. อำเภอเมืองนครราชสีมา)("Amphoe Mueang") is one of 32 districts of Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Northeastern Thailand. Including the center city of district is City of Nakhon Ratchasima.

Introduction

Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima is an ancient city. The present city was built in the reign of King Narai the Great of Ayutthaya kingdom. The king merged the two ancient cities, "Mueang" Sema and "Mueang" Khorakha Pura (Khorat) and moved to the present area. He named the new city Nakhon Ratchasima and set it as the eastern frontier city of Ayutthaya. The landscape and city planning of Nakhon Ratchasima city designed by French architect.

The city of various Khmer ruins and the famous statute of Khun Ying Mo named Nakhon Ratchasima or commonly known as "Khorat" is situated on Khorat plateau, the lower part of Northeastern plateau of Thailand. The city itself serves as the gateway to the Northeastern Region. From Bangkok, it is 259 km. by car and 264 km by train. It has and area 755.60 km² or about 468,704 rai (185,311 acre) with residential registration population 429,853 inhabitants(2007 census). [ [http://www.koratinfo.com Introduction to Korat] ]

Geography

Neighboring districts are (from the north clockwise) Non Thai, Non Sung, Chaloem Phra Kiat, Chok Chai, Pak Thong Chai, Sung Noen and Kham Thale So.

The main river through the district is the Lam Takhong.

Transportation

Car

Travelling by car from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima is most convenient, there are three alternative routes to choose depending on the starting point in Bangkok.
*First route Phahon Yothin highway TNR|1 passing Don Muang Airport, Wang Noi, till arriving Saraburi. At Saraburi, turns right along Mittraphap Highway TNR|2 which finally leads to Nakhon Ratchasima. The total distance of this route is 256 km.
*Second route Ram Inthra Road TNR|304 via Min Buri, Chachoengsao, Phanom Sarakham, Kabin Buri, Pak Thong Chai and finally Nakhon Ratchasima. The total distance is 273 km. This alternative route is a little longer in distance but interesting towns and cities passing is a worth compensation.
*Third route Rangsit-Nakhon Nayok Road TNR|305 passing Thanyaburi, Ongkharak to Nakhon Nayok. From Nakhon Nayok, take Suwannason Road TNR|33 to Kabin Buri and turn left along Kabin Buri-Nakhon Ratchasima Road TNR|304 passing Pak Thong Chai to Nakhon Ratchasima.

Bus

There are several air-conditioned (Coach Standard-1 and 2) buses leaving from the Northeastern Bus Terminal (Kampaeng Phet 2 Road) to Nakhon Ratchasima Bus Terminal 1 (Burin Rd.) and 2 (Mittraphap Rd.) with 3 service agencies; Air Korat Pattana, Ratchasima Tour and Suranaree Air. Air-conditioned buses leave every 20 minutes throughout 24 hours.

Train

There are several trains leaving Bangkok Railway Station (Hua Lampong) daily to the two major train stations (Nakhon Ratchasima And Thanon Chira train stations) in the city.

Administration

The district is subdivided into 25 subdistricts ("tambon") with 27 local administration. [ [http://www.dopa.go.th/xstat/p5030_01.html 2007 Statistic Data Center, Department of Provincial Administration, The ministry of Interior] ]

There are contains 9 municipalities, which 1 city municipality ("thesaban nakhon") - City of Nakhon Ratchasima or Korat City covers the whole area of Nai Mueang subdistrict ("tambon") and parts of Ban koh subdistrict, the 8 township municipalities ("thesaban tambon") - Pho Klang covers whole area of Pho Klang subdistrict, Hua Thale covers whole area of Hua Tale subdistrict, Nong Phai Lom covers whole area of Nong Phai Lom subdistrict, Cho Ho covers parts of Cho Ho subdistricts and parts of Ban Koh subdistrict, Khok Sung covers whole area of Khok Sung subdsitrict, Paru Yai covers whole area of Paru Yai subdistrict, Khok Kruat covers parts of Khok Kruat subdistrict, Nong Khai Nam covers whole area of Nong Khai Nam subdistrict.

And 18 Subdistrict Administrative Organization (SAO) - Ban Koh, Ban Mai, Ban Pho, Chai Mongkhon, Cho Ho, Khok Kraut, Maroeng, Muen Wai, Nong Bua Sala, Nong Chabok, Nong Krathum, Nong Rawiang, Phanao, Phon Krang, Putsa, Si Num, Suranaree and Talat responsible for the non-municipal areas. [ [http://info.thailocaladmin.go.th The Local Administration Data Center, Department of Local Administration, The Ministry of Interior] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.koratseagames.com/ Official Site of 24th Southeast Asian Games Nakhon Ratchasima 2007, SEA Games]