Khorat

Khorat is a historical name commonly used for Khon Kaen, the largest city in Thailand's northeast region. It also refers to the surrounding Khorat Plateau, a broad, fertile highland that occupies much of northeastern Thailand, extends into Laos, and touches parts of Myanmar. The plateau formed from sedimentary deposits of the Mekong River, resulting in gently rolling landscapes and extensive loess soils that support rice cultivation and other agriculture.

Khon Kaen itself sits on the plateau’s edge, approximately 800 kilometers north of Bangkok. Founded in 1966 as a provincial capital, the city rapidly grew into a regional hub. Its economy is diversified; agriculture remains important, with rice, sugarcane, and a growing horticulture sector, while industry includes food processing, manufacturing, and increasingly, information technology. Education and research play a prominent role, highlighted by Khon Kaen University, one of Thailand’s largest universities, which attracts students from across the country and abroad.

The region’s culture blends Thailand’s central traditions with influences from Laos and Cambodia. Festivals such as the annual Tha Rahat Lantern Festival draw visitors, and the area is known for distinctive north‑eastern cuisine featuring sticky rice, grilled meats, and spicy curries. Traditional crafts include weaving of colorful silk fabrics and wood carving.

From a geopolitical standpoint, Khorat serves as a logistical center for supply routes to neighboring countries, making it a focal point for cross‑border trade and economic cooperation initiatives. The city and plateau also hold strategic importance for the Thai government’s efforts to promote balanced regional development, driving infrastructure projects such as highways, rail links, and power generation facilities.