Buriram

Buri Ram is one of the largest and most populated provinces in Isaan. About 410 kilometers from Bangkok, it has a number of leading attractions, including the Prasat Hin Phanom Rung and the huge Buddha image atop Mount Khao Kradong.

What to see and what to do in Buriram?

Buri Ram Cultural Center, situated in the Buri Ram Rajabhat Institute, was built to protect and preserve the unique culture of Lower Isan and to be a museum for arts and artifacts from that area.

Buri Ram Bird Park is located at the Huai Talat reservoir, 15 kilometers from the town center on Buriram-Prakhon Chai road. The park is an ideal place for bird watchers. Various kinds of birds migrate to this reservoir during November and April every year.

Phanom Rung Historical Park is located between Amphoe Nang Rong and Amphoe Prakhon Chai. Make a right-turn at Km. 83-84 of Highway No. 24 and go twelve kilometers further to find it. The well-known Prasat Hin Phanom Rung is on the top of the Phanom Rung Mount. It is a walled enclosure, with both the door frames and walls carved in the beautiful Lophuri Period style with Khmer influence.
According to Brahminic belief, it was originally built as an idol temple. Within the Prasat (or castle) is a throne hall built in the 12th century A.D. The beauty of the main prang of Phanom Rung lies not only in its plan but in the vibrant stone carvings which cover large parts of the temple. Many lintels and pediments depict episodes from Indian texts such as the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, and the Puranas.

Prasat Hin Muang Tam is located some 18 kilometers from Prasat Hin Phanom Rung. The sanctuary is also walled. Within the compound are four ponds, while the structure itself was made of old-style bricks. Door frames, wall surfaces and stone surfaces around the ponds are carved in beautiful designs. It is believed to have been constructed in the 11th century.

Tao Sawai and Tao Nai Chian Ancient Kilns, located 5 and 10 kilometers away from Amphoe Ban Kruat, have been excavated by the Fine Arts Department. The kilns were used in the production of glazed potteries during the period of Khmer dominance in this area (about the 9th to the 12th centuries AD).

Prang Ku Suan Taeng is located at Tambon Thong Luang in Amphoe Phutthaisong. The three pagodas were erected of brick and mortar in the Khmer style. Their door panels are carved, depicting episodes from the epic of Ramakian (Ramayana). The exquisitely carving of Narai Bantomsin, once stolen and sold abroad, has been returned and is kept at the National Museum in Bangkok.

Phra Suphatthara Bophit is enshrined atop Khao Kradong Mount, about six kilometers from town on the Buri Ram - Prakhon Chai Highway. A winding road leads up to the mountain top. A replica of the Holy Footprint is also placed there.

Northeastern Kite Festival held annually in early December at Huai Chorakhe Mak Reservoir, Amphoe Muang. The festival hosts a parade and competition of local vehicles decorated with various kinds of kites. A beauty contest and an Aek kite competition are also scheduled. The Aek kite (ancient yoke shaped kite) looks like 2 kites attached to each other when flown . Activities include kite shows and cultural performances.

Buri Ram Traditional Boat Races This annual regatta is staged on the Mun River in Amphoe Satuk during the first weekend of November. Celebrations include parades and cultural performances, as well as, an elephant swimming race.


General Information
Buri Ram is a land of ancient Khmer prosperity. The southern part of the province has a number of Khmer sanctuaries, the most magnificent being Phanom Rung, regarded as one of the most beautiful examples of Khmer architecture in Thailand.

Buri Ram is 410 kilometres from Bangkok. It has an area of 10,321 square kilometres. The province is divided into the following districts: Mueang Buri Ram, Nang Rong, Lam Plai Mat, Prakhon Chai, Phutthaisong, Satuek, Krasang, Ban Kruat, Khu Mueang, Lahan Sai, Nong Ki, Pakham, Na Pho, Nong Hong, Phlapphla Chai, Huai Rat, Non Suwan, Chaloem Phra Kiat, Chamni, Non Din Daeng, Chaloem Phra Kiat, Ban Mai Chaiyaphot, Ban Dan, and Khaen Dong.

How to get there
Car
From Bangkok, take Highway No. 1 to Saraburi and Highway No. 2 to Nakhon Ratchasima, then use Highway No.226 to Buri Ram, a total distance of 384 kilometres.

Bus
Buses depart from Bangkok’s Mochit 2 Bus Terminal to Buri Ram every day. Contact Transport Co.Ltd at Tel: 0 2936 2852-66 for more information

Rail
Regular trains depart from Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Railway Station to Buri Ram every day. Call 1690, 0 2223 7010-20 for more information.

Air
Thai Airways flies from Bangkok to Buri Ram every day. The Buri Ram airport is at Amphoe Satuek, 40 kilometres north of the town. Call 1566, 0 2280 0060, 0 2628 2000 for more information.

Festivals
Buriram Boat Race
This is held every first Saturday of November when the Mun River is at its fullest. Teams from Buri Ram and other provinces race in front of Satuek district office to find the champion of the Mun.

Isan Kite Festival
This festival is held in the first weekend of December. Northeastern monsoon winds blow strongly during the harvesting season, signalling the beginning of the cool season in Thailand. A popular local pastime is when kites are flown in the villages. This sport has a long history and to preserve it, a contest is held to find the best kites called Wao Aek. The winner is judged from the design, the sound it makes and the flying style.

Khao Phanom Rung Fair
This annual fair takes place in April when a sunrise amazingly shines through all the 15 doorways of the sanctuary, bringing out the true splendor of the site and confirming the unmatched skills of the sanctuary’s builders. Such a spectacle occurs only at Phanom Rung. Activities include a procession like that in Khmer times and a light-and-sound show