Buriram

Buriram (บุรีรัมย์) is a city in Isaan, about 410 km from Bangkok.

Understand

Buriram translates as "city of happiness". It is a fairly nondescript town of around 30,000 people in Thailand's less well visited northeast. While the eponymous happiness is unlikely to be found within the town, Buriram makes a suitable base for exploring the many ancient sandstone Khmer sanctuaries and temples that are scattered around the surrounding area.

There also are other remnants of the Khmer civilization, including pottery kiln sites, which date back to the 10th-13th centuries, and traces of ancient quarrying. Buriram's archaeological heritage also stretches further back with ancient pre-Angkorian ruins from the Dvaravati period.

Get in

By car

From Bangkok, take Hwy 1 (Phahon Yothin Rd) to Saraburi, then turn right onto Hwy 2 (Mittraphap Rd). Turn right onto Hwy 24 (Chok Chai-Det Udom Rd) passing Nong Ki, Nang Rong, then turn left onto Hwy 218 to Buriram. The total distance is about 410 km. Or, from Korat, take Hwy 226 passing Chakkarat Huai Thalaeng–Lam Plai Mat. The total distance is 384 km.

By bus

The Transport Company Ltd. provides daily ordinary and air conditioned buses from Bangkok to Buriram. The buses leave the Bangkok Bus Terminal (Chatuchak or Mo Chit 2). For more information, call Tel. [phone]. Buriram Bus Terminal Tel. [phone].

An alternative and more convenient way to travel to Buriram is by taking the air-con bus from Nakornchai Air bus company. Their terminal is just opposite Mo Chit 2 and the fare is 340 baht.

By train

There are rapid, express, and ordinary trains from Bangkok–Ubon Ratchathani, Bangkok–Surin, and Korat–Ubon Ratchathani, all of which run through Buriram. State Railway of Thailand has online timetables and ticket booking, its call centre can be reached on 1690, [phone], [phone].

By plane

Nok Air has flights to Buriram (BFV) from Bangkok Don Mueang Airport (DMK) on Wed, Fri, Sun, with returns on the same days. Thai Airways has no direct flights to Buriram. Visitors must fly to Khon Kaen and catch a bus to Buriram, about 200 km. For details, contact Thai Airways at Tel. 1566, [phone], [phone].

• Buriram Airport (BFV), Moo 12, Ron Thong (About 40 km north of town in Satuek), ☎ [phone]. 

Get around

The BSS songthaew system serves Buriram

The Buriram Songthaew System (BSS) provides public transportation for the city. There are two lines: Line 1 (Buriram Municipality Market-Khao Kradong Forest Park Line), and Line 2 (Ban Bua Line). Both lines are colored pink.

Ride-hailing app Grab is available with both cars and motorbikes.

See

• Ancient Kiln Sites (แหล่งเตาโบราณ). The kilns date from around the 9th–10th centuries and served as a production centre for Khmer ceramics supplying other cities. 
• Big Buddha Image (พระพุทธรูปใหญ่) (opposite the Satuek District Office). Or Phra Phuttharup Patima Santayaphirom Satuek Udom Ratsadon Nimitmanin is a big standing Buddha image on a bank of the Mun River. 
• Huai Talat Reservoir and Buriram Bird Park (อ่างเก็บน้ำห้วยตลาดและสวนนกบุรีรัมย์). More than 100 species of birds live in this area during the dry season, Nov-Apr. 
• Khao Kradong Forest Park (วนอุทยานเขากระโดง). This extinct volcano is now a relaxation spot. The summit is 265 m above sea level and it houses "Phra Suphattharabophit", a large Buddha image that is the symbol of Buriram. 
• Kradong Reservoir, อ่างเก็บน้ำกระโดง. From the entrance to Khao Kradong, there is a junction on the left side to "Bunyanusat" boy scout camp and a zoo. 
• Ku Suan Taeng (กู่สวนแตง). A Khmer architectural site, comprising three brick prangs lying from north to south, on the same laterite base. 
• Lam Nang Rong Dam (เขื่อนลำนางรอง). A royal project, the Lam Nang Rong Dam is an earthen dam with an asphalt road along the crest with an expansive view. 
• Lower Northeastern Cultural Centre (ศูนย์วัฒนธรรมอีสานใต้). The centre collects and exhibits artefacts and precious historical objects, folk art, and archaeological curiosities. It is also a resource centre for conducting research. 
• King Rama I Monument (พระบรมราชานุสาวรีย์พระบาทสมเด็จพระพุทธยอดฟ้าจุฬาโลก). The monument was built in 1996 to honour King Rama I who founded Buriram. 
• Prasat Nong Hong (ปราสาทหนองหงส์). A small archaeological site comprising three prangs made from brick on a single laterite base. 
• Prasat Wat Khok Ngio (ปราสาทวัดโคกงิ้ว). A Khmer stone sanctuary located behind Wat Khok Ngio, and it once served as an "Arogayasala" or a hospital. 
• Phrachao Yai Wat Hong (พระเจ้าใหญ่วัดหงษ์). An old Lao-style Buddha image in the posture of subduing Mara, which was built during the late Ayutthaya period, or around the 18th century. 
• Rao Su Monument (อนุสาวรีย์เราสู้). Built in 1979 to commemorate the brave undertakings of civilians, police officers, and soldiers who lost their lives during battles with communists who obstructed the construction of this strategic route. 
• Silk Weaving Village of Na Pho (หมู่บ้านทอผ้าไหมอำเภอนาพธิ์). A silk weaving village, famed for "Mudmi" silk, which has received support for their skills, the standard of production, and their patterns and colours from the Royal Folk Arts and Craft Centre under the royal patronage of Queen Sirikit. 
• Stone Quarry (แหล่งหินตัด). The quarry was used by the ancient Khmer people as a source of construction materials for building sanctuaries in the lower northeastern region. 
• Thung Laem Reservoir (อ่างเก็บน้ำทุ่งแหลม). A small reservoir which has been transformed into a recreational site with shelters for rest and relaxation. During the dry season, many species of waterfowl can be found here. 
• Wat Khao Angkhan (วัดเขาอังคาร). Inside the temple compound, there are ruins of ancient monuments and sandstone boundary markers of the Dvaravati period. It is one of the most beautiful and significant temples in Buriram. 

Do

Romburi Street, a walking street evenings

• Buriram United (Thai Premier League football). Sa-Su, 17:00-18:00. Buriram is well-known for its great local football club. They play in the new I-Mobile Stadium. 120 baht. 
• Sro Ground (Walking Street) (Runs along Romburi Rd from Jira Rd to Pitak Rd). Walking Street is a popular attraction on Saturday and Sunday evenings. The sign at the intersection of Jira Rd and Romburi Rd translates to Walking Street but it is known by the locals as "Sro Ground" or the "River Market" as it is next to a part of the moat. The market has around a hundred stalls selling items such as clothes, footwear, inexpensive jewellery and glassware. Approximately half of the stalls sell varieties of Thai takeaway food. Walking Street is closed to vehicles from 17:00–24:00. Parking is provided at the Municipality Public Park. The street was established on 5 July 2014. (updated Oct 2018)
• Buddha's Footprint Homage–paying Fair (งานนมัสการรอยพระพุทธบาทจำลอง): The event takes place at Khao Kradong, Mueang District, on the full moon of the 3rd lunar month. Locals visit Khao Kradong to pay homage to a replica of the Buddha's footprint and the Phra Suphattharabophit image whilst enjoying the big celebration.

Buy

Taweekit Plaza

There are many shopping malls in Buriram, such as Big C, Makro, Home Pro, Tesco Lotus, and Taweekit, the local shopping mall of Buriram Province.

Eat

• Baan Chay Nam Restaurant (ร้านอาหารบ้านชายน้ำ) (From the Amari it's 10 min. Down the hill past Ducati shop, 3rd exit at roundabout, go through traffic lights at junction with abandoned hotel, uturn and its in a small soi signposted for the restaurant before you hit the abandoned hotel junction). Excellent. Very popular, live music, sit in or outside at the back near the fountain. (updated Apr 2016)

Drink

• The Square (Romburi Rd). Karaoke bars, restaurants, and the huge Speed1 nightclub featuring live shows and a DJ playing Thai and Western hits every night. 

Sleep

• Best Western Royal Buri Ram Hotel, 332/22-23 Jira Rd (Off Hwy 218), ☎ [phone]. Seventy-nine rooms. Excellent breakfast buffet for two included. Pool. Wi-Fi OK, not great. 1,450+. (updated Sep 2018)
• Jintana Resort Hotel, 416 Moo 8 (400 m from Buriram Bus terminal), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 44 rooms (5 different types), free Wi-Fi in rooms, large green open area. 450-2,200 baht. 
• 🌍 Phanomrungpuri Boutique Hotel, 212 Prachantakhet Rd Nangrong District (1 Km from Buriram Bus terminal), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Check-in: 12.00, check-out: 12.00. 67 rooms (5 different types = Superior Room, Family Room, Deluxe Room, Duplex Family Room and Grand Duplex Suite), free Wi-Fi in rooms, swimming pool, Barai restaurant. 1,300 - 4,500 baht. 
• Ray Hotel Buriram, 515 Moo 8 Tambon Isaan Muang Buriram District (400 m from Buriram Bus Terminal; 3.5 km from I-Mobile Football Stadium and Chang International Racing Circuit), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail].. 44 rooms, outdoor salt-water swimming pool, fitness center, conference room, breakfast included, free-Wi-Fi. 890-1,490 baht. (updated Sep 2018)
• Siriporn Hotel (S1 City Hotel), 1/141 Tanee Road (The hotel is about 200m west of the bus station on Tanee Road), ☎ [phone]. Sort of a Thai cheap hotel that thinks it's an American motel. Big rooms with lots of well used furniture, TV, wifi, friendly staff. Next door to 711. AC rooms B500 fan rooms B280. (updated Mar 2019)
• Jaroensin Place, at train station (Exit train station and look to your right. Hotel is to the right of an Amazon Cafe.), ☎ [phone]. Newly renovated. Very convenient for early train departures. fan B350, AC B450. (updated Mar 2019)
• Thai Hotel, 38/1 Rom Buri Road (Go straight out (south) from the train station, past the roundabout with clock tower. Hotel is on left side, opposite the CAT tower, about 100m from train station.), ☎ [phone]. Newly refurbished. All rooms now AC & incl breakfast and wifi. regular AC B500, VIP B690. (updated Mar 2019)

Cope

Medical education centre, Buriram General Hospital.

Buriram has adequate medical facilities:

• Buriram General Hospital consists 750 patient beds
• Thesaban Mueang Buriram Health Center
• 66 clinics
• A Thai Traditional Medicine Center

Go next

• Khao Yai National Park
• Nakhon Ratchasima
• Phimai
• Surin
• Ubon Ratchathani
• Nang Rong

Routes through Buriram

Bangkok ← Nakhon Ratchasima ←

W  E

→ Surin → Ubon Ratchathani