BURI RAM


	Welcome to Thailand-Panorama (http://www.thailand-panorama.com)

BURI RAM

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: Muang Buri Ram, Namg Rong, Lam Plal Mat, Prakhon Chal, Phutthaisong, Satuk, Krasang, Ban Kruat, Khu Muang, 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, and Ban Dan.

Lower Northeastern Cultural Centre is in Buri Ram 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 of Buri Ram, elephants and the culture of the Suai people, local woven clothes, wall mural about the Twelve Month Ceremony of Isan people, and pottery and Chinese ceramics found in Buri Ram.

The centre is open from Monday to Friday from 09.00-16.00 hrs. It is closed on weekends and holidays. For more information, please contact tel. (044) 611221 ext. 159.

Khao Kradong Froest Park is 6 kilometres from the city on the Buri Ram-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.

Suan Nok (bird park) is at Huai Talat reservoir and is a wildlife reserve. To get there, take the Buri Ram-Prakhon Chai road for 12 kilometres and take a left-hand road for 2 kilometres. The park is the home of many waterfowls that include both local species and those that migrate form colder countries. They are prevalent during November to April which is Thailand's dry season.

Another bird sanctuary is at Sanambin reservoir wildlife reserve on the way form Buri Ram to Prakhon Chai. Plenty of birds are easily seen in the evening.

Phanom Rung Historical Park 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 Buri Ram 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-kilometre road to Phanom Rung. Alternatively, if visitors proceed form Prakhon Chai, there is a road form 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 Rachasima-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 one accommodation near the site.

Wat Khao Angkhan is on an extinct volcano 20 kilometres from Phanom Rung. If traveling 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.

Muang Tam 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.

Ban Kruat is 66 kilometres south of Buri Ram. Historical sites in this district are as follows:

Quarry at Ban Kruat is 6 kilometres 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 here constitute one of the most important potterymaking centres 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.

Ku Suan Taeng in Ban Don Wai can be reached by using the Buri Ram-Phayakkhaphum Phisal 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 Kuan Taeng. This is other Khmer site with 3 brick gagodas on a single laterite base. The famous Narai Banthom Sin lintel was discovered here and is now kept in the National this site dates from the 17th Buddhist century.

Khao Phanom Rung Fair takes place 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.

Boat race is held every first Saturday of November when the Mun (Moon) River is at its fullest. Teams from Buri Ram and other provinces race in front of Satuk district office to find the champion of the Mun.

Isan Kite Festival is held in the first weekend of December. Northeastern monsoon winds blow strongly during the harvesting season, signaling 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 is makes and the flying style.

Visitors to Buri Ram usually buy beautiful silk and cotton fabrics from Ban Na Pho (78 kilometres north of Buri Ram). They can also be purchased from silk stores in town. Basketry and other kinds of souvenirs are available at Phanom Rung and Muang Tam sanctuaries.