Khorat Plateau

Coordinates: 15°40′N 103°10′E / 15.667°N 103.167°E / 15.667; 103.167
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Khorat Plateau
ที่ราบสูงโคราช
Natural region
Landscape of the Khorat Plateau
Landscape of the Khorat Plateau
A map of the Khorat Plateau region
A map of the Khorat Plateau region
CountryThailand
Elevation
200 m (700 ft)

The Khorat Plateau (

Northeastern Thai: ที่ฮาบสูงโคราช) is a plateau in the northeastern Thai region of Isan. The plateau forms a natural region, named after the short form of Nakhon Ratchasima
, a historical barrier controlling access to and from the area.

Geography

The average elevation is 200 metres (660 ft) and it covers an area of about 155,000 square kilometres (60,000 sq mi). The saucer-shaped plateau is divided by a range of hills called the

Mekong River.[1]: 1  The plateau is drained by the Mun and Chi Rivers, tributaries to the Mekong that forms the northeastern boundary of the area. It is separated from central Thailand by the Phetchabun Mountains and the Dong Phaya Yen Mountains in the west, the Sankamphaeng Range in the southwest and by the Dângrêk Mountains
in the south, all of which historically made access to the plateau difficult.

These mountains together with the

arid
.

Geology

Further information: Nam Phong Formation and Phu Kradung Formation

The plateau uplifted from an extensive

lowland soils resembling European brown soils.[3]

Archaeology

Many

Phu Wiang District
of Khon Kaen yielded evidence of an Iron Age settlement dating from about 1420 to 50 BCE.

The region was once under the suzerainty of the Dvaravati Kingdom, and later under the Khmer Empire. It is dotted with the ruins of Khmer rest houses positioned about 25 kilometres (16 mi) apart, a comfortable day's walk, along the Khmer highways. These were not just places of repose, but also were hospices and libraries, and typically included a baray (pond).[5] Archaeologist Charles Higham stated, "...we remain largely unaware of the relationships between sites and the presence or otherwise of states on the Khorat plateau" during the 7th to 11th centuries. Muang Sema and Muang Fa Daet are notable though for their religious structures, including sema stones at Muang Fa Daet.[6]: 312–316 

History

There is a paucity of information from the centuries known as the

Roi Et Province, by an official in the service of King Nokasad of the Kingdom of Champasak.[7]

See also

References

  1. ^ Keyes, Charles F (March 1967). "Isan: Regionalism in Northeastern Thailand". Cornell Thailand Project; Interim Reports Series, No. 10 (PDF). Ithaca: Department of Asian Studies, Cornell University. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
  2. ^ Bunopas, Sangad; Vella, Paul (17–24 November 1992). "Geotectonics and Geologic Evolution of Thailand" (PDF). National Conference on "Geologic Resources of Thailand: Potential for Future Development". Bangkok. p. 224. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 August 2011. ...latest Pleistocene early to the Recent regional uplifting must have occurred.
  3. ^ Lofjle, E; Kubiniok, Jochen (1996). "Landform Development and Bioturbation on the Khorat Plateau, Northeast Thailand". Natural History Bulletin of the Siam Society. 44: 199–216. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
  4. ^ K. Kris Hirst. "Ban Chiang, Thailand Bronze Age Village and Cemetery". About.com. Archived from the original on 6 December 2010. Retrieved 28 Dec 2010.
  5. ^ Werner, Ulrich. "Thailand's Ancient Civilizations, Isaan Heartland". Your Guide to Thai Culture. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
  6. ISBN 9786167339443
  7. ^
    ISBN 90-04-04529-5
    .

15°40′N 103°10′E / 15.667°N 103.167°E / 15.667; 103.167

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