Nakhon Ratchasima is a city in the north-east of Thailand and gateway to Isan.  It is one of the four major cities of Isan, Thailand, known as the "Big 4 of Isan". The city is commonly known as Korat, a shortened form of its name. It is located at the western edge of the Khorat Plateau and historically marked the boundary between the Lao and Siamese territory, however now is considered a gateway to the  Lao-speaking Northeast (Isan).