Maha Sarakham is the capital city of Maha Sarakham Province in Thailand's northeastern (Isan) region. Sarakham, as it is known to its inhabitants, is in a rice-growing area on the southern Korat plain, straddling the Chi River. Maha Sarakham is 456 km northeast of Bangkok and 87 km southeast of Khon Kaen.The city has long been known as a regional education centre, the so-called "Taksila of Isan" (taking this name from the ancient Hindu centre of learning).