Why should you go there and how do you do it right?

The Elephant Shrine in the middle of the lake is the main reason for the trip – and rightly so. Every surface is adorned with mosaics, tile by tile, and the impression up close is quite different from that in photographs. The grounds also include a tiled chapel and seven-headed Naga statues lining the pathways. The entire complex is dedicated to Luang Phor Koon, one of the most revered monks in the region, which explains the size of the place and the steady stream of Thai visitors paying their respects.

Allow yourself more time than you think. The buildings are spread out and not arranged in a courtyard, so you'll have to walk between them. If you're in a hurry, you'll miss the point of the visit. I would arrive early. The doors open at eight o'clock, when the light is softer, and Korat isn't pleasant to explore on foot at midday with little shade. This is an active religious site, not a place for photography, so keep that in mind if you're coming with a camera and a map.