Sarakham, as it is known to its inhabitants, is in a rice-growing area on the southern Khorat plain, straddling the Chi River.

[2] For a time Mahasarakham ranked with Sisaket as among the poorest cities in Isan.

Today Maha Sarakham possesses two cinemas, a modern department store and market, and branches of major retailers.

[citation needed] Maha Sarakham has no railway station or airport, and the main transport links are via express bus, or by road connections to the airports in Khon Kaen and Roi Et.

Recently the road link south was upgraded and is now mainly dual carriageway highway.