Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand ๐น๐ญ
Nomad Score:
63%
Essentials
๐๏ธ City | Nakhon Ratchasima, also known as Korat, is a major city in northeastern Thailand, known for its cultural heritage and natural attractions. |
๐ฅ Population | Approximately 300,000 residents. |
๐ป Internet Speed | Average internet speed is around 30-50 Mbps. |
๐ธ Currency & Banking | 1 THB = 0.028 USD, 1 USD = 35.5 THB. Major banks include Bangkok Bank, Krung Thai Bank. |
๐ฐ Tap Water | Not drinkable; bottled water is recommended. |
๐ Power | 220V, 50Hz, ๐ Type A/B sockets. |
๐ถ SIM Card | AIS, TrueMove, and DTAC offer prepaid SIM cards with good coverage and data plans. |
๐ณ Banking for Expats | KBank, Bangkok Bank, and online options like Revolut are popular. |
๐ Accommodation | Options vary from hotels, hostels, to serviced apartments on platforms like Airbnb and local rental sites. |
๐ณ Cashless Friendly | Yes, widely accepted; many places support mobile payments such as Line Pay and PromptPay. |
๐ Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local property management companies offer many options. |
๐๏ธ Budget Accommodation | Hostel types include The Green Hotel and Korat Hostel. |
Working and Networking
๐ข Best Coworking Space | Korat Innovation Center is a popular coworking and startup incubator. |
โ Best Cafe for Work | Choco Lab Cafe is well-liked among digital nomads for its ambiance and Wi-Fi. |
๐ผ Networking Events | Meetups are organized through platforms like Facebook Groups, particularly for startups and creatives. |
๐ฅ Social Events for Expats | Expat community meets at local bars and through social media groups regularly. |
Transportation
๐ Best Taxi/Ride App | Grab is the preferred ride-hailing service in the area. |
๐ฒ Bike/Scooter Rental | Local shops and mobile apps like Bbike offer affordable bike rentals. |
๐๏ธ Best Beach Nearby | The nearest beach is about 2 hours away in Pattaya. |
โ๏ธ Top Regional Airline | Nok Air operates flights from Nakhon Ratchasima province to various regional destinations. |
โ๏ธ Top International Airline | Thai Airways provides connections to major cities. |
๐ฃ๏ธ Highway Access | Easy access to Road 2 (Mittraphap Road) connects to Bangkok and other provinces. |
๐ Main Train/Transit Hub | Nakhon Ratchasima Railway Station provides service to Bangkok and northeast regions. |
๐ Public Transport Passes | Multiple bus companies operate with affordable single-ride costs, but passes are not common. |
โ๏ธ Regional Travel | Buses and trains are available for regional travel to cities like Khon Kaen and Udon Thani. |
Health and Wellness
๐ฅ Best Hospital | Boranratchatanin Hospital and Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital are main healthcare providers. |
๐ง Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga House Nakhon Ratchasima offers regular classes and wellness programs. |
๐๏ธ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness First and local studios are available for fitness enthusiasts. |
๐งบ Laundry Services | Self-service laundries and drop-off services are available across the city. |
Food and Drink
๐ฑ Best Food Delivery App | GrabFood is widely used for food delivery. |
๐ฝ๏ธ Best Local Dish to Try | Khao Soi (Thai curry noodle soup) is a must-try dish. |
๐ฑ Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Loving Hut and local vegetarian eateries provide good options. |
๐ซ Best Dessert Spots | Khanom Krok stands and local cafes serve delicious Thai desserts. |
๐ Affordable Shopping Spots | Buddha Market is ideal for fresh produce and local goods. |
๐ E-commerce/Online Store | Lazada and Shopee are popular for online shopping. |
๐ Grocery Delivery | HappyFresh and BigC offer grocery delivery services. |
๐ธ Bar/Nightlife Area | Central Plaza Korat is a main nightlife hub with bars and entertainment. |
๐ป Local Brewery | Korat Craft Beer Co. offers locally brewed beers. |
๐ท Wine Bars | Wine connection is a popular wine venue. |
๐ฒ Street Food Stalls | Numerous food stalls around the Rom Klao Market provide tasty street food. |
๐ Popular International Cuisine | Restaurants like Pizza Hut and KFC can be found, but local Thai cuisine is dominant. |
Culture and Attractions
๐๏ธ Must-See Landmarks | Khorat Fortress and Phimai Historical Park are significant sites. |
๐๏ธ Museums & Art Venues | The Korat Museum showcases local history and culture. |
๐ฐ Historical Sites | Phimai Historical Park is an ancient Khmer temple worth visiting. |
๐ Religious Sites | Wat Sala Loi is a famous temple in the area. |
๐ Annual Events | The annual Korat Flower Festival in December attracts many visitors. |
๐จ Cultural Districts | The city center offers cultural experiences through its markets and local eateries. |
๐ญ Theater Venues | The Maha Weerawong National Museum and local auditoriums often host performances. |
๐๏ธ Local Markets | Stop by Chakkarat Market for a local experience. |
๐ผ Music Scene | Local bars often feature live music, especially Thai pop and rock. |
๐จ Street Art | Variety of murals can be found around the city, including at local cafes. |
๐งโ๐ณ Cooking Classes | Local chefs offer cooking classes for traditional Thai dishes. |
๐ฉโ๐จ Art Galleries | Find local artworks at various galleries throughout the city. |
๐ฐ๏ธ Historic Buildings | Nakhon Ratchasima's old town features colonial-style architecture. |
๐ด Local Heritage | Historical influences from Khmer culture are prevalent in local architecture and festivals. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
๐ Nearby Nature Escapes | Khao Yai National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is nearby for hiking and wildlife. |
๐๏ธ National Parks Nearby | Khao Yai National Park is the most accessible national park from the city. |
๐ฒ Cycling/Walking Paths | Paths around the local parks such as Thepprasit Park are great for walking and cycling. |
๐ Scenic Viewpoints | Enjoy the vistas at Phanom Rung Historical Park, which is nearby. |
๐ฆ Birdwatching Locations | Khao Yai National Park is ideal for birdwatching opportunities. |
๐ฅ Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated areas in national parks allow for bonfires with permits. |
Other Services and Amenities
๐ฆ Parcel Delivery Service | Thailand Post and international couriers like DHL are available. |
๐ ๏ธ Tech Repair Services | Local mobile phone shops can provide repairs for common issues. |
๐ Table Tennis Spots | Community centers and sports clubs often have tables available. |
๐งโ๐ซ Language Classes | Several language schools offer Thai classes for foreigners. |
๐ Libraries & Study Spots | The Korat City Library offers a quiet place for studying. |
๐๏ธ Community Centers | Local community centers host various cultural activities and workshops. |
๐น๏ธ Gaming Lounges | Internet cafes with gaming setups are available throughout the city. |
๐ฐ Casino & Gaming Halls | Gambling is illegal in Thailand; therefore, there are no casinos. |
Business
๐ข Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. เธฟ40,000 per mยฒ (e.g., 40 mยฒ = เธฟ1,600,000) |
๐ข Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. เธฟ30,000 per mยฒ (e.g., 40 mยฒ = เธฟ1,200,000) |
๐ 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. เธฟ35,000 per mยฒ (e.g., 60 mยฒ = เธฟ2,100,000) |
๐ 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. เธฟ28,000 per mยฒ (e.g., 60 mยฒ = เธฟ1,680,000) |
๐ก 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. เธฟ30,000 per mยฒ (e.g., 80 mยฒ = เธฟ2,400,000) |
๐ก 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. เธฟ25,000 per mยฒ (e.g., 80 mยฒ = เธฟ2,000,000) |
๐ผ Corporate Tax | 20% |
๐ต Dividend Withholding Tax | 10% |
๐ฆ Tax System | Based on territorial principle for residents. |
๐ Highest Income Tax Bracket | 35% |
๐งพ VAT | 7% |
๐ Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, there are CFC rules in place. |
๐ Property Tax | Applicable based on land and buildings. |
๐ Property Transaction Tax | 0.01% transfer fee and up to 2% for property transaction tax. |