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General Information
Buriram 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.
Buriram is 410 kilometres from Bangkok. It has an area of 10,321 square
kilometres. The province is divided into the following districts: Mueang
Buriram, 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, Chalerm Phra Kiat, Chamni, Non
Din Daeng, Chaloem Phra Kiat, Ban Mai Chaiyaphot, Ban Dan, and Khaen Dong
How to get to Buriram
By Car
From Bangkok, take Highway No. 1 to Saraburi and Highway No. 2 to Nakhon
Ratchasima, then use Highway No.226 to Buriram, a total distance of 384
kilometres.
By Bus
Buses depart from Bangkoks Mochit 2 Bus Terminal to Buriram every day.
Contact Transport Co.Ltd at Tel: 0 2936 2852-66 for more information
By Rail
Regular trains depart from Bangkoks Hua Lamphong Railway Station to Buriram
every day. Call 1690, 0 2223 7010-20 for more information.
By Air
Thai Airways flies from Bangkok to Buriram every day. The Buriram airport is
at Amphoe Satuek, 40 kilometres north of the town. Call 1566, 0 2280 0060, 0
2628 2000 for more information.
Distances from Amphoe Mueang to Other Districts
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Huai Rat
Krasang
Lam Plai Mat
Khu Mueang
Satuek
Phlapphla Chai
Nang Rong
Nong Hong
Prakhon Chai
Phutthaisong
Non Suwan
Ban Kruat
Chaloem Phra Kiat
Na Pho
Pakham
Nong Ki
Lahan Sai
Non Din Daeng
Chamni
Ban Mai
Chaiyaphot
Ban Dan
Khaen Dong |
12
32
32
33
40
40
54
60
44
64
40
66
68
78
78
83
100
92
70
85
15
56 |
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Buses to Other Provinces
From Buriram Bus Terminal, there are buses running to Nakhon Ratchasima, Roi
Et, Khon Kaen, Surin, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Rayong, Chanthaburi, Sa Kaeo, Ubon Ratchathani and Bangkok. Call Buriram Bus Terminal at 0 4461 2534 for
more information.
Attractions
Amphoe Ban Kruat
Ban Kruat is 66 kilometres south of Buriram. Historical sites in this
district are as follows:
Quarry This is 6 kilometres from Ban Kruat into the way to Lahan Sai. The
hill is littered with rocks large and small, some with traces of rock
cutting. It is believed stones taken from here were used to construct a
large number of sanctuaries in the lower Northeast.
Ancient Kilns
These ancient kilns constitute one of the most important pottery-making
centers of the ancient Khmer Empire. The kilns date from the 14th-19th
Buddhist century. The pottery made here was supplied to cities in the
empire. The Fine Arts Department has renovated 2 kilns called Tao Sawai and
Tao Nai Chian, 5 and 10 kilometres from Ban Kruat, respectively. The kilns
are ideal for those interested in archaeology.
Amphoe Ban Mai Chaiyaphot
Ku Suan Taeng
This khmer sanctuary at Ban Don Wai can be reached by using the
Buriram-Phayakkhaphum Phisai road (Highway No. 219) for 70 kilometres, then
left onto Highway No. 202 to Prathai for about 40 kilometres where there is
a left-hand road to Ku Suan Taeng. This is another Khmer site with 3 brick
pagodas on a single laterite base. The famous Narai Banthom Sin lintel was
discovered here and is now kept in the National Museum in Bangkok. The
lintel proves this site dates from the 17th Buddhist century.
Amphoe Chaloem Phra Kiat
Phanom Rung Historical Park
This is a grand and majestic Khmer site over a thousand years old. Built on
an extinct volcano, it is originally a Hindu religious site and later became a Buddhist one. During the 15th-18th Buddhist century, several additions
were made.
The first thing visitors see when they arrive at the site is the grand stairway from the foot of the hill up to the top. Most of the buildings of
the sanctuary are made of laterite and sandstone, all with elaborate designs. The buildings are lined all the way to the main pagoda. This layout
is according to Hindu belief of the layout of the heaven of the god Shiva.
The main pagoda is a large one with a square base and facing east. The
designs on the pagoda, columns, doorway, and lintels are exquisite, most
telling a story of gods in Hinduism. From these designs and the
architecture, it is surmised that the pagoda, the stairway and the Naga
bridge were built during the 17th Buddhist century. Each building has
descriptive designs telling people the purpose for its construction, its
usefulness and the beliefs of ancient people.
Phanom Rung is open daily from 06.00-18.00 hrs.
Getting to Phanom Rung by car is easy. The sanctuary is 64 kilometres to the
south of Buriram town. There are 2 ways to get there. Visitors can proceed
from Nang Rong to Prakhon Chai (Highway No. 24) and upon reaching Ban Tako,
there is a 12-kilometer road to Phanom Rung. Alternatively, if visitors
proceed from Prakhon Chai, there is a road from there to the sanctuary with
a distance of 21 kilometres. This route passes a branch road into Muang Tam
sanctuary. Visitors can rent air-conditioned vans in town.
Visitors traveling by bus from Nakhon Ratchasima can take the Nakhon
Ratchasima-Surin bus and get off at Ban Tako (124 kilometres from Nakhon
Ratchasima). From Ban Tako, a motorcycle service is available to take
visitors to the site (fare according to agreement). There is an
accommodation near the site.
Khao Angkhan Temple (Wat Khao Angkhan)
Wat Khao Angkhan is on an extinct volcano 20 kilometres from Phanom Rung. If
travelling from Ban Ta Pek (between Ban Tako and Phanom Rung), use the road
to Lahan Sai for 5 kilometres and onto a branch road to the temple for 10
kilometres. Wat Khao Angkhan represents an interesting mixture of
architecture from various periods. Inside the main building are wall murals
and stories of Buddhism told in English. Furthermore, many Dvaravati
sandstone temple boundary markers have been discovered here.
Amphoe Huai Rat
Bird Park (Suan Nok)
This is a wildlife reserve at Huai Talat reservoir. To get there, take the
Buriram-Prakhon Chai road for 12 kilometres and take a left-handed road for
2 kilometres. The park is the home of many waterfowls that include both
local species and those that migrate from colder countries. They are
prevalent during November to April which is Thailand's dry season.
Amphoe Mueang
Buri Ram Cultural Centre
The Centre is located in the Rajabhat Buri Ram University, Amphoe Mueang.
Collections of antiques, local textiles, mural paintings and various
exhibitions are on display. Open daily (except national holidays), Monday to
Friday from 8.30 a.m.-7.00 p.m. Weekends from 8.30 a.m.-4.00p.m. Tel. 0 4461
1221} 0 4460 1616 ext.159
Khao Kradong Forest Park
This forest park is 6 kilometres from the city on the Buriram-Prakhon Chai
road (Highway No. 219). Khao Kradong is an extinct volcano that is 265
meters high. The summit of the mountain has a pool which is believed to be
the mouth of the volcano. Around the area are several plant species worth
studying and Phra Suphattharabophit, an important Buddha image of the
province.
Lower Northeastern Cultural Centre
This cultural centre is in Buriram Rajabhat Institute. It has collections
and displays of artifacts and is a local archaeological, historical and arts
study centre. Exhibitions of the centre include:
- Geography, history and ancient community.
- Elephants and the culture of the Suai people, including tools used in
capturing elephants, items in elephant rituals and photos of elephant
corralling in the old days.
- Local woven clothes.
- Wall mural about the Twelve Month Ceremony of people in Northeast.
- Pottery and Chinese ceramics found in Buriram.
The centre is open from Monday to Friday from 09.00-16.00. It is closed on
weekends and holidays.
For more information, please contact tel. 0 4461 1221
ext. 159.
Amphoe Non Din Daeng
Nong Hong Sanctuary (Prasat Nong Hong)
Prasat Nong Hong is another Khmer sanctuary about 100 kilometres south of
Buriram town near Laem Nang Rong dam. The sanctuary comprises 3 brick
pagodas built on the same laterite base and surrounded by a laterite wall
and a moat. It dated from the 16th Buddhist century.
Amphoe Pakham
Ban Khok Ngio Sanctuary (Prasat Ban Khok Ngio)
This stone sanctuary is 3 kilometres before Pakham, or 75 kilometres from
Buriram on No. 218 and 348. This ancient Khmer site is in Wat Khok Ngio and
it acted as a sort of local health office in ancient times. King Jayavoraman
VII ordered its construction in the 18th Buddhist century.
Amphoe Prakhon Chai
Mueang Tam Stone Sanctuary (Prasat Mueang Tam)
This stone sanctuary can be reached by taking the road to Prakhon Chai for 8
kilometres and another 5 kilometres on a road on the right-hand side. This
Khmer site has a square layout. Its main structures are 5 brick pagodas
built on the same foundation and enclosed by two walls. The 4 doorways are
perpendicular to each other and built of sandstone with beautiful designs.
The inner wall is made of sandstone and is one long, narrow continuous
corridor, called Rabiang Khot. The outer wall is made of laterite. Lintels
adorn doorways and the main pagoda, recounting Hindu tales. Another
highlight of the site is the 4 large pools between the walls. The edges of
the pools have serpent designs with the head at the pool corner. The beauty
of this Khmer site is second only to that of Phanom Rung.
Local Products
Hand-woven Fabric
Visitors to Buriram usually buy silk and beautiful cotton fabrics from Ban
Na Pho (78 kilometres north of Buriram). They can also be purchased from
silk stores in town. Dining
Amphoe Mueang
Chokelikit
246/14 Niwat Road, Amphoe Mueang, Buriram
Tel :: 0 4461 2665
Maitrichit
169/2-4 Sunthonthep Road, Amphoe Mueang, Buriram
Tel :: 0 4461 1538
Rungrueang
Niwat Road, Amphoe Mueang, Buriram
Tel :: 0 4461 1778, 0 4461 1375
Amphoe Nang Rong
Laksana
375 Chokchai-Detudom
Tel :: 0 4463 1158 |
