The City of the King's Border

Thailand’s largest province is located approximately 260 kilometers northeast of Bangkok and serves as the gateway and main city of Isaan. The province main activity is still agriculture – mainly rice – but it is developing fast as one of the main industrial centers of the country.

The main attractions in Khorat are Khmer ruins, mainly those in Phimai and Phanom Rung; Mon and Lao sites also exist. The Khao Yai National Park was the first in Thailand and for sure is one of the friendliest and more attractive ones. Khorat is also known for silk weaving in Pak Thong Chai and pottery production in Dan Kwian.

Isaan and the Khorat Plateau

Isaan is the northeast lobe in Thailand’s map; accordingly, the name is derived from a Sanskrit word that means "northeast." The political division follows here a geographical one since it occupies the Khorat Plateau, and is bordered by the Mekong River to the north and east, along the border with Laos, and the Prachinburi mountains south of Nakhon Ratchasima. To the west it is separated from Northern and Central Thailand by the Phetchabun mountain range. Cambodia lies to the southeast.

The plateau is named after its biggest city, Nakhon Ratchasima, which is also called Khorat. Two plains form the plateau: the southern Khorat Plain - drained by the Mun and Chi rivers – and the northern Sakon Nakhon Plain - drained by the Loei and Songkhram rivers. The Phu Phan Mountains separate between them.

Four main cities are in Isaan: Nakhon Ratchasima, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, and Ubon Ratchathani. The first three are along the National Highway 2, which connects Thailand with Vientiane, through the Friendship Bridge near Nong Khai.

Language

The main language spoken in the area is Lao, though it is written here with the Thai alphabet. Thai – which is very similar – is widely spoken and used in all official issues (for example the signs in the bus terminals are in Thai). Khmer is widely spoken in regions near the Cambodian border (Buriram, Surin, and Sisaket); other languages are spoken in very limited areas. The Khorat dialect spoken in Nakhon Ratchasima acts as a linguistic buffer between areas speaking Thai and Isaan; it shares characteristics with both of them.

The city’s name - Nakhon Ratchasima – means "City King-Border" or "Border City of the King". It is also known as Khorat, which evolved from "Angkor Raj," namely the "City of the King." Note that the "ratcha" (Thai) and "raj" (Khmer) are the same word originating in Sanskrit and meaning "king." It exist in various forms also in Indo-European languages (for example in the English word "regent").

Festivals

Khorat’s most popular annual event is the Thao Suranari Festival, honoring Thao Suranari, or Khun Ying Mo, the wife of a Thai official who successfully stopped a Laotian invasion in 1826.

The celebration takes place every year between March 23 and April 2; it includes parades, beauty contests, fireworks displays, and song and dance events.

In the second weekend of November, boat races are held at Phimai, together with a festival commemorating the past of these important ruins.

City

The province was once part of the Khmer Empire and still features a few related ruins.

King Narai of the Ayutthaya Kingdom ordered Khorat to be built in the late seventeenth century to guard his kingdom eastern frontier from the Khmer and the Lao. The Old Town of Khorat is a rectangle located east of the Thao Suranaree Monument; it was designed by the same French engineer that built Naraimaharaj Palace in Lopburi. The French-based design is reflected in the city's moat system that surrounds the innermost of the city.

From the beginning of the Bangkok Kingdom (1782), Nakhon Ratchasima became the kingdom's biggest northeastern stronghold, supervising the kingdom's Laotian and Khmer vassal states.

Later, the city was attacked by Anouvong, the King of Vientiane, in 1826 in an attempt to halt the Siamese control of Laos. Thao Suranaree, a local heroine, is credited with having saved the city. Khunying Mo – her original name - rallied villagers to fight against Chao Anuwong. After the battle was over, King Rama III promoted her to Thao Suranari.

In October 1933, after the 1932 Constitutional Revolution, the city became the seat of the Boworadej Revolt, the abortive uprising against the new government in Bangkok.

During the Vietnam War, Nakhon Ratchasima was home to one of the US airbases in Thailand, like its neighbors Khon Kaen, Udon Thani and Ubon Ratchathani.

Nowadays, the city is the 6th largest city of Thailand.

Nakhon Ratchasima Metropolitan Area

The city is part of a large metropolitan area which reaches the half million inhabitants, roughly three times the population of the inner city. This area refers to three districts within the province: Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima, Sung Noen District and Kham Thale So District.

Something is Wrong with SeenThat’s Very Rudimentary Thai

Those reading more than one of my entries may be surprised to find that every time I translate a different Thai word as "city." Chiang, Buri, Nakhon, Thani and others have been mentioned; sometimes they appear before the name and others after.

Actually, many Thai terms refer to closely related terms that cannot be well translated into English. For example, in the previous section, I refer to "mueang;" this term is automatically added to the name of any town or city that is a district’s administrative centers. It may refer to a small village or to a large city, depending on the area’s characteristics. Other terms have certain geographical preferences dictated by the different Thai dialects.

I apologize for the confusion created, but except for learning the different terms, there is nothing to do.

Relatively close to Bangkok and along the main highway connecting the last with Vientiane, traveling in the Khorat region is easy. The province features good roads and an excellent travel infrastructure.

By Car

Reaching Khorat by car from Bangkok is possible through several routes. The first leaves Bangkok northwards through National Highway #1 until Saraburi and then advances eastwards through National Highway #2 until Nakhon Ratchasima is reached. This is the shortest route.

Another option is leaving the metropolis through road 304 and traveling through Min Buri, Chachoengsao, Phanom Sarakham, Kabin Buri, and Pak Thong Chai, and then Nakhon Ratchasima. This option is longer, but the road doesn’t suffer of rush hours as the first does.

A third alternative is through road 305 (the Bangkok-Rangsit-Nakhon Nayok route). Take then route 33 until Kabin Buri and afterwards joining route 304 as in the previous option.

By Bus

Buses for Khorat leave Bangkok's Mo Chit Bus Terminal between 5 AM and almost 11 PM, every few minutes. The journey takes up to five hours, depending on the bus class. A point to keep in mind is that all buses reaching the other main locations along National Highway 2 (Khon Kaen, Udon Thani and Nong Khai) would take passengers to Khorat if they have seats.

Being the largest city in Isaan, Khorat offers bus connections to all the main and secondary location in the area from Bus Terminal 2. The city is also well connected to Northern Thailand (Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Mae Sai among other locations) and to the southeast, mainly to Chon Buri, Pattaya, Rayong.

Other districts within the province can be accessed from Bus Terminal 1 on Burin Road; though Bus Terminal 2 provides bus services also to Phimai and Dan Kwian-Chok Chai.

Bus Terminals

The bus terminals in Khorat are near each other, both next to the National Highway 2.

Bus Terminal 1 is the oldest terminal in town, featuring one main structure – shaped as a "T" as most Thai provincial terminals - serving all functions.

The terminal is located just south of the sharp curve the highway makes in downtown. It serves the following locations: Lopburi, Saraburi, Rayong, Chantaburi, Nakhon Sawan, Surin, Buri Ram, Ubon Ratchathani, Khon Kaen, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phitsanulok, and Chaiyaphum.

Bus Terminal 2 is the newer and larger terminal in town. It resembles a small version of Mochit in Bangkok, the last being one of the largest in the country. It is located north of the sharp curve of the highway, on the city suburbs. It serves mainly locations in Isaan, specifically those north of Khorat. Its main building is air conditioned and houses restaurants, convenience stores, book shops and ticket counters.

The main locations served are Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Srichiangmai, Beung Khan, Mukdahan, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Ubon Ratchathani, Loei, Maha Sarakham, Roi-Et, and Yasothon.

Within Khorat

City buses travel around with a flat fare of three baht. Motorbike taxis, tuk-tuks and samlors can be easily hired; though agreeing on the price before boarding them is advised.

By Train

The State Railway of Thailand has four lines of trains leading out of Bangkok; they are called according to the direction they travel to: Northern, Northeastern, Eastern and Southern, the last is connected to the Malaysian railways.

Located on Rama IV Road, the Bangkok Railway Station is easy to find; nowadays there is a Metro station right at its door, Bangkok's Chinatown is across the highway. The Hualampong Station was built between 1910 and 1916, and modernized in 1998; its huge hangar features short towers at its corners and is one of the best known landmarks in Bangkok.

The station provides 24-hour service, including a post office, money exchange services, a Thai food plaza, bookstores in Thai and English, information booths, luggage deposit, hotel reservations and fast food joints, including a Dunkin's Donuts branch.

The Northeastern Line leaves from there and reaches Nong Khai, through Nakhon Ratchasima, Ubon Ratchathani, Khon Kaen and Udon Thani, with the help of two lines.

Five trains per day travel in each direction; timetables are available at the Hualampong Railway station. The thing to remember is that there are two trains departing during the morning hours and three night trains leaving during the early evening. The trip longs about five hours.

A large city, Khorat offers many attractions in its metropolitan area.

Wat Sala Loi

This temple is on the northeast of the city, 500 meters from Rop Mueang Road. The temple was built in 1827 and is worth mentioning due to its wihaan (Assembly Hall) which was built in conventional Thai style, but in the shape of a junk riding the waves.

Local Dan Kwian clay tiles depicting the life of Buddha were used to decorate the building. Its metal doors also show tales of the Buddha. A large standing white Buddha image is inside the building and outside a plaster sculpture of a sitting Thao Suranari praying in a pond. The pagoda next to the wihaan used to hold her ashes.

Rajabhat Nakhon Ratchasima Arts and Culture Center

The center is located on Suranarai Road. Its collection is related to the life in Isaan. It includes categories like Khorat City, documents, fabrics, local products, music, and people. It is open on weekdays during day hours.

Northeastern Museum of Petrified Wood and Mineral Resources

This museum is divided into three sections. The Petrified Wood Museum exhibits petrified wood (visitors are encouraged to touch the displays) together with local beliefs related to them.

The Ancient Elephants Museum star exhibit is the skeleton of a four ivory elephant indigenous to the area. The Dinosaurs Museum includes fossils excavated in Isaan (Khon Kaen is a major area featuring them) as well as multimedia presentations. Other exhibits are related to local geology and the development of natural resources.

Maha Wirawong National Museum

This museum is located opposite the provincial hall. It displays items collected by Somdet Phra Maha Wirawong, ex-abbot of Wat Sutthachinda, and artifacts that the Fine Arts Department found in the area. Most items are Buddha images, including of the Khmer and Ayutthaya periods, as well as ancient tools and woodcarvings.

Wat Phra Narai

This temple - located on Prachak Road - houses a Khmer sandstone statue of Vishnu, which is highly revered by local residents. Hindu themes appear often in the Thai culture.

Wat Sala Thong

Wat Sala Thong is a temple of the Dhamayuti Buddhist sect and is located about one kilometer from downtown Khorat in Tambon Hua Thale.

In the past it was within a dense forest. It displays a large sitting stone Buddha image in the Pa Lelai posture within a large wihaan. Another structure of interest is a pagoda built over an older one and containing Buddha relics taken from Myanmar’s Chiang Tung.

Wat Thep Phithak Punnaram

For those traveling around in a rented car, this temple is recommended. It is located at Khao Si Siat Aa, in Tambon Klang Dong, along the road connecting Khorat with Amphoe Muak Lek and at the very edge of the province.

Those who are ready to leave the car at the mountain base, can climb 1250 steps (nobody said a Marco Polo’s life is easy!) representing the number of monks that gathered spontaneously to hear the Lord Buddha's first sermon and see a Buddha image 27 meters wide and 45 meters high.

Monument of Thao Suranari

This monument is situated in front of the Pratu Chumpon Gate near the Old City and on the western side of Khorat. It was placed there in 1934 honoring Thao Suranari, or Khun Ying Mo, the wife of a Thai official who successfully stopped a Laotian invasion in 1826. See more details on the festivals section of this journal.

City Pillar

Thai cities always include a pillar - a symbolic representation of a linga - which is considered to host the city’s guardian spirit or deity. As such, these places are located in the vicinity of – or within - larger temples and are an official center of worship for the city’s welfare, though usually they are the preferred temples for fertility rites as well.

In Khorat, it is at the corner of Chumphon and Prachak roads; it was built in Chinese style during the reign of King Narai (1656-1688). The shrine and city pillar are made of wood.

Chumphon Gate

Pratu Chumphon is behind the Thao Suranari Monument. It is a gate of the Old City (a rectangle of 1000 x 1700 metres) built during the reign of King Narai the Great in 1656 and designed by a French engineer. This is the only original gate still standing, the other three are modern reconstructions. The moat is relatively well preserved.

It was built with stones and bricks, and covered with plaster. At its top is a watchtower made of wood with a tiled roof and decorated in the Thai style.

Chang Phueak Shrine

This small shrine is on the northern part of the city moat, at the corner of Manat and Phon Saen roads. It houses a Takhian Hin tree stump where the people tied elephants for inspectors to look at before presenting them to the king for his transport.

Wat Thammachak Semaram

Wat Thammachak Semaram is in Ban Khlong Khwang in Tambon Sema, southwest of the city and best reached by car. The place used to be a religious site in the Dvaravati period and is now remarkable due to a huge reclining Buddha image made of red sandstone. It is 13.30 meters long and 2.80 meters high and dates back to year 657. Other artifacts discovered here are in display in the Phimai Museum.

Ban Prasat Archaeological Site

This site was the second one to be defined as an outdoor museum; the first was Ban Chiang in Udon Thani. It includes items from the Dvaravati and Khmer periods; three pits are open to the public.

Reaching it is simple, travel north from Khorat along highway 2 – towards Khon Kaen - and turn right after 44 kilometers; the site appears one kilometer afterwards. If arriving by bus (any bus reaching Khon Kaen is good), get off at the abovementioned milestone and take a motorbike taxi for the rest of the way.

Khao Yai National Park

This is Thailand’s first national park, dating back to 1962. It includes grasslands, forests, rainforests and several peaks; its climate is cooler than most of Thailand and thus it offers an important additional value during a long visit to Thailand.

Activities in the park include butterfly and bird watching, animal watching (deer, elephants, sun bears, wild boars and others) as well as trekking in over twenty existing paths. Some of them require overnight stays; information is provided at the park’s offices.

For watching the park’s nature, there are two wildlife watchtowers at Mo Singto and Nong Phak Chi, which are open during the day. Night tours of the park are allowed to those arriving with a car, but they must contact the park office during the day.

The offices are a hundred meters from the Kong Kaeol Namtok (the last word means "waterfall"). Despite the last being low, it allows swimming. Seven kilometers from there is the Pha Kluai Mai Waterfall, which is larger and offers views of the Red Dendrobium Orchid. A 3 km path leads from it to a third waterfall named Heo Suwat that reaches 20m height. The tallest waterfall in the area is Heo Narok, reaching 60m at its tallest step, with a total drop of 150m. Information about these and other waterfalls is available at the offices.

To reach the park by bus, get off at Amphoe Pak Chong and continue on a mini-bus up to the park’s gate. By car take road 33 (Nakhon Nayok-Prachin Buri) and at the Noen Hom intersection take road 3077 to the park.

Adults pay a 400 baht admission fee and other 50 for the car. Special fares apply for children and visits to limited areas of the park. The Pha Kluai Mai campsite charges a 20 baht fee (there are two additional campsites in the park); it features a restaurant.

Reaching

Arriving to Phimai is easy, thus it is even more surprising that so few tourists do the way to this charming place in the Thai universe. From Khorat’s bus terminal are inexpensive buses to Phimai. The sixty kilometers way takes about an hour and costs 24 baht.

Phimai is connected to Ubon Ratchathani, deeper within Isaan, buses span the distance for 135 baht; if planning to visit the Khao Phra Wihaan ruins in Cambodia, this is the way.

Orientation

As similar old towns in Thailand, Phimai is separated into the new and old cities. The new town is uninteresting; located 1.5 km from the old town and away from the way to Khorat, there is no real reason for visiting it.

When entering the city from the Khorat direction, the first cluster of buildings visible at the left side is the local museum. Leave the bus there.

Just after the museum, at the next intersection are the market and the central square of the old town. One hundred meters at their right is the main temple complex. The outer wall of the temple was seen already at the front of the museum, but the entrance from there is blocked. The way to the Saingam Village is the left turn at the main junction, if the museum is at your back.

Museum

Although the entrance fee to the buildings is somewhat high, it is possible to take a look at the impressive collection of statues at an open warehouse. Hundreds of statues are blocking the view of each other and the narrow corridors between them do not allow taking a proper view, but it is impressive nonetheless. The Khmer influence is evident. The inner museum include downscaled version of the temples complex.

Prasat Phimai

Prasat Phimai is a Mahayana Buddhist Temple; its name originates in the Khmer "Vimai," which appears in a carved inscription at the complex gate.

Rectangular in shape, the temple is surrounded by a boundary wall. The principal tower at its center is called Prasat Phimai. It has a square base of twenty two meters long and a height of twenty eight meters. Nearby is the Red Stone Tower with a base of 11.5 meters and a height of 15.

The place doesn't lack water; the Mun River passes on the northern and eastern sides of the temple while the Khem stream passes on its southern side and the Chukarat stream passes at its west and joins later the Mun River at the Songkhram. There are three ponds within the walls (Sa Kaew, Sa Phlong and Sa Khwan) and three outside them (Sa Phleng, Sa Bond and Sa Phleng Haeng). To the south there is a big reservoir.

The main construction period was in the 11th and 12th centuries, but there were additions in the 13th one, the evidence based on the inscriptions found on the carved stones of the temples. Unlike many temples in Thailand which face the east, Phimai faces southeast the direction of Angkor, the capital of the Khmer empire.

As said, the old town is surrounded by the remains of the old wall, some parts of it, especially around the central square, were restored. The short street connecting the main temples with the outer wall, hosts the guesthouse, the hotel, the restaurant and a big temple by the wall, with big dogs at its entrance keeping it safe from curious visitants.

The entrance to the main complex costs 40 baht and it opens quite early, before 8:00, despite the low number of visitors. At the left side from the entrance there is a big rectangular structure built from big stones and divided into rooms, without a roof and without ornament. At the right side, there is a small shop with an excellent model of the site. An elevated, stone made, road leads from there to the central temple, which is shaped like the central temple in Angkor Wat, but much smaller, without the richness of the original and without sculpted walls. Around it there are very few and very small surrounding structures. Yet, it is impressive and complimentary to a visit to Angkor Wat, or even exchanges such a visit if you lack the time or means for it.

Saingam

Twenty minutes by bike, north from the old town, the Saingam village hosts the biggest clusters of Banyan trees in Thailand, which are locally known as Sai Yoi (sweeping Banyans). The massive clusters cover a whole island in the Mun River, just beyond a charming little village with an interesting temple hosting the area's crematorium. When Queen Sri Phatcharinthara visited the place in 1911, she changed the name of the place to Sai Ngarm (the "r" is not pronounced), which means "Area of the Splendid Banyans."

The Banyan is the tree under which Buddha achieved enlightenment, and thus it is considered sacred to the Thais. The oldest the tree is the more worshipped it is. Its most visible characteristics are the roots hanging from the branches, that once they reach the ground grow up to a new trunk, allowing thus to the tree to expand. This specific tree is 350 years old and has covered a full small island in the local river. Its central and original trunk, placed along the riverside closest to Phimai, among hundreds of other trunks, is wrapped with colored clothes, a typical Buddhist practice towards old and revered trees. Not far from the central trunk there is a small shrine constantly used by the pilgrims. A narrow way advances among the trunks, with benches carefully located at its sides, for the use of local couples. The branches from the different trunks are interconnected in an intricate and beautiful way, creating an effective roof protecting from the sun and the rain. The leaves grow in the outer side of the branches, so that the interior space is mainly brown colored. Many local tourists visit here and there is a long row of food stalls in front of the island. Further away there is a small dam over the river, with a bilingual sign providing a phone number for the case that a dog will bite you, but despite my thorough search, no dogs were visible.

It is possible to rent at the Phimai guesthouse a bike for 10 baht for the whole day, so that you can easily reach the trees in an independent fashion. They will rent the bike even if you have not slept at their place. Leaving their institution, just travel to the main junction of the old town and continue straight ahead (the new town is at the right and the central temples at the left).

Ancient Khmer Highway

The Ancient Khmer Highway was a 225 km roadway connecting Angkor and Phimai. It dates back to the 12th century; most of the buildings along it were constructed by King Jayavarman VII, the main constructor of Angkor. Nowadays, most of the road is overgrown by the jungle, and only visible in aerial photographs. The only part of the road which is accessible by car is the entrance to the Phimai temples.

The road used the Ta Muen Thom pass over the Dongrek Mountains, and the first major stop was the Phanom Rung temples which are now within the Thai territory and can be easily visited.

A traveler lives not only on sights. Shopping souvenirs, tasting local delicacies and dealing with travel formalities are also an integral part of the experience.

Souvenirs and Local Products

Silk

Nakhon Ratchasima is an excellent place for buying Thai silk originating from Isaan, which is one of the main production areas. All the main souvenirs and gifts shops in town sell silk and silk products; most of the good ones are along the Pakthongchai area. Learning about the complexities of the item is recommended before buying its more expensive products.

Nam Phla and Nam Ra

This is the name of a fermented fish sauce very popular in the Isaan cuisine. The sauce is prepared by rubbing fresh fish with salt and putting them into a jar topped with bamboo bracts. Then they are left for two months, the juice coming out is filtered and used as Nam Phla – the sauce. After this period the fermented fish is mixed with finely-ground roasted rice and kept for another half year or more before it is ready to be eaten, this is the Nam Ra. Both products may contain parasites thus they are not recommended; even the Thai government is making attempts to discontinue their use.

Korat Fried Rice-Noodle - Mee Khorat

These rice noodles are typical of the city and are served with pork or chicken, fish sauce, fermented soy bean, salt, palm sugar or brown sugar, ground peanuts, bean sprouts, an onion-like vegetable, lime, egg, vegetable oil, shallot and garlic. They can be found in all the markets.

Dan Kwian Pottery

Dan Kwian is a village famous for its pottery, prepared from black riverside clay and displaying unique designs. They make good – though bulky – souvenirs.

Night Bazaar

Khorat’s Night Bazaar is centrally located near the Charoensri Center (reviewed in this journal), and also near the Chom Surang Hotel, on Manat Road between Chomphon and Mahatthai roads. This is the best place for a dinner under Isaan’s night skies. It is open daily from 6 PM onwards and beyond food stalls it houses clothes, shoes, souvenirs and music stalls.

The food served is typical of Isaan. The Som Tam salad is expected and loved by many, but some other items are a bit more difficult for the average western traveler. The last include fried insects (water bugs, grasshoppers, silkworm, crickets, dung beetles and even scorpions). Fried small shrimps and crabs are eaten with their shells.

Save One Night Market

This is the unusual name of another night market in Khorat; it is located at Mittraphap Road, on the downtown section of Highway 2. Many lines of stalls occupy what looks like a huge parking lot; they sell electronics, antiques, music and videos, used books, clothing, groceries, food, and almost every other imaginable item.

Morning Markets

Several morning markets operate in town; they open before dawn and working almost until noon. It offers a variety of breakfasts, foods and flower garlands used as a spiritual kind of protection by cars in Thailand.

I recommend looking for the coffee stalls serving the Thai variation of Laotian coffee; the last was introduced by the French. Thais add ground tamarind to the coffee and sweeten it with a mixture of condensed milk and palm oil. The coffee is prepared with a sock filter and served with a cup of green tea included in the price – the last is aimed to wash down the thick drink. It is served with bpaa-thaawng-go, small, elongated fried buns.

Shopping Malls

Khorat features a few modern shopping malls. Charoensri Center earned a separate entry in this journal. Others include the Big C Supercenter on Mittraphap-Nong Khai Road, between the two bus terminals. The IT Plaza – an electronic gadgets mall – and Makro are nearby. On the same road – the main shopping venue of town – are also The Mall Department Store (which houses the Home Pro & EGV Cinemas) and the Tesco Lotus Hypermarket. The last is an excellent place for finding western products and foods.

Other malls include the Klang Plaza Atsadang, on Atsadang Road, and the Klang Plaza Chomsurang on Chomsurangyat Road.

Communications

Internet kiosks are ubiquitous and inexpensive, though the connections are rather slow.

TAT

The Tourism Authority of Thailand has an office at 16/5 Mukhamontri Road; it is open daily between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM.

Travel Agencies and Car Rentals

Travel agencies abound, mainly next to the Old City and the bus terminals.

Several car rental agencies operate in town. The main ones are: VIP Car Rent at 824, Posri Road; Ngen Car Rent at 296/53 Sai Utit Road; Toy Ting Tour at 55/1-5 Tahan Road, Parada Car Rent at 78/1 Mak Khaeng Road and others

Money Issues

As everywhere in Thailand, ATM’s abound and are reliable. Many banks are located along Posri Road and are open from Monday to Friday between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM. The exchange window of the Bangkok Bank, on Prajaksilpakan Road, stays open until 8 PM.

Many businesses accept credit cards. However, it should be noted that in Thailand an additional fee is charged for such a transaction. Paying in cash is better. Since exchanging money is easy, that is not a serious limitation.