Nakhon Rachasima flora

 Nakhon Rachasima

 Nakhon Ratchasima (Thai: นครราชสีมา, pronounced [ná(ʔ).kʰɔ̄ːn râːt.t͡ɕʰá.sǐː.māː]) is the capital of Nakhon Ratchasima province, the largest city in Northeastern Thailand and the third-largest city in Thailand. It is 250 kilometres (160 mi) northeast of Bangkok, one of the four major cities of Isan (Northeast Thailand), known as the "big four of Isan", and has a population of 466,098 people as of 2021. The city is commonly known as Korat (โคราช, pronounced [kʰōː.râːt]), a shortened form of its name.

National parks

 

There are two national parks, along with two other national parks, make up region 1 (Prachinburi) of Thailand's protected areas. (Visitors in fiscal year 2024)

Thap Lan National Park	2,236 km2(863 sq mi)	(96,852)
Khao Yai National Park	2,166 km2(836 sq mi)	(1,887,335)

Khao Yai National Park

"Nature" and “clean air” within reach of the capital

The aspiration of many, to touch it for themselves

World Heritage National Park

Khao Yai National Park has global significance and at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) regional level as a World Heritage Site and ASEAN Heritage Park in the territory of four provinces: Saraburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Prachinburi, and Nakhon Nayok.

Covering almost 2,206 square kilometers, the area is a key watershed for many rivers, has massive biodiversity, and is a habitat for over 350 important rare and endangered species. As such, the Park attracts bird watchers from all over the world.

Khao Yai is no doubt the best national park in Thailand for regular visitors where it is relatively easy to see some impressive animals.

Established in 1962 as Thailand's first national park, it is the third largest national park in Thailand. Situated mainly in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Khao Yai extends into Prachinburi, Saraburi and Nakhon Nayok provinces. The main checkpoint of the park is 180 km from Bangkok.

The park covers an area of 2,168 km², including rain/evergreen forests and grasslands. 1,351 meters tall Khao Rom is the highest mountain within the park. The average altitude of the national park ranges from 400 to 1,000 meters asl.

Khao Yai is part of the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex; a World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO, covering 5 protected areas from Khao Yai to Cambodian border. The other protected areas are; Pang Sida National Park, Thap Lan National Park, Ta Phraya National Park and Dong Yai Wildlife Sanctuary.

The rainy season is from May to October with high humidity and with the most rainfall in September. The rest of the year is quite dry. November to February are the winter months with cooler weather and average temperatures of 22 °C during the day and down to 9-10 °C during the night.

Flora 

Khao Yai National Park is a fertile forest with many colonies of plants, resulting in massive floral bio-diversity. There are many distinctive plant species to see on the nature trails. 

 Gesneriaceae

Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat) province, particularly around Khao Yai National Park, hosts a rich diversity of the Gesneriaceae family. The dense, moist evergreen and submontane forests of the region provide the perfect habitat for many endemic and regional species. 

Notable Gesneriaceae species and genera documented in Nakhon Ratchasima include:

• Chayamaritia smitinandii: A notable Gesneriad formerly placed in the genus Henckelia, commonly found in deep shade in the deep evergreen and submontane forests of Khao Yai National Park. 
• Middletonia evrardii: This plant thrives in evergreen forests and has been collected in the deep shade along rivers and streams within the Khao Yai area. 
• Rhynchoglossum ausculum: Described as a distinct and new species to science, this Gesneriad is known to occur in the Pak Thong Chai District of the province. 
• Tribounia (e.g., Tribounia venosus): A caulescent genus that features fertile stamens protruding into a prominent boss on the dorsal surface of the corolla. 
• Didymocarpus (e.g., Didymocarpus insulsus ,Didymocarpus geesinkianus &

  Didymocarpus epithemoides B.L.Burtt ): Various species from this genus, often called "rock primroses," are known to grow on moist rocks and ground surfaces throughout Eastern Thailand and the Khao Yai area.

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Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat) is Thailand's largest province, divided into 32 districts (amphoe). The central hub is Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima, home to major transit hubs and the Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital. Other prominent districts include Pak Chong (gateway to Khao Yai National Park), Phimai (famous for ancient Khmer temples), and Wang Nam Khiao (known as the "Switzerland of Thailand"). 

The 32 districts of Nakhon Ratchasima include:

• Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima
• Pak Chong
• Phimai
• Wang Nam Khiao
• Sikhio
• Dan Khun Thot
• Pak Thong Chai
• Bua Yai
• Non Sung
• Chok Chai
• Chum Phuang
• Sung Noen
• Huai Thalaeng
• Khon Buri
• Non Thai
• Prathai
• Chakkarat
• Nong Bun Mak
• Soeng Sang
• Kham Sakaesaeng
• Khong
• Chaloem Phra Kiat
• Non Daeng
• Ban Lueam
• Bua Lai
• Sida
• Kaeng Sanam Nang
• Lam Thamenchai
• Mueang Yang
• Phra Thong Kham
• Thepharak
• Kham Thale So