Buriram Attractions – What to Do During the Day

 

 

There are plenty of Buriram attractions to investigate while visiting the region. As Buriram consistently expands, more businesses, both local and foreign owned, are making their way into the fabric of local life. Here is a breakdown of some of your options.

 

Buriram Attractions

 

Buriram is a culturally rich province and home to a variety of ethnic groups including ethnic Laotian, Khmer, and Chinese (among others). Festivals and tourist attractions in the region reflect this diversity.

 

Read my in-depth post on tourist attractions, including festivals, here.

 

Buriram Sports

 

Buriram city is developing into Thailand’s major sports hub and is an exciting place to visit for sports enthusiasts.

 

Soccer/Football

 

Buriram United F.C. (formerly Buriram PEA) are Thai Premier League champions. The entire city of Buriram comes alive when they play. Home matches are held at I-Mobile stadium (nicknamed Thunder Castle) located on Road 219 to Prakon Chai between The Monument of King Rama (monument with King Rama riding an elephant) and the Khao Kradong Forest Park and Reservoir.

 

More information, including Buriram United’s schedule here.

 

 

 

Muay Thai

 

Buriram is legendary for producing some of the best Muay Thai fighters in Thailand. Muay Thai gyms are found throughout the province, including Buriram city. Muay Thai fights in Buriram are consistent during the dry season, especially in the countryside. If you’re interested in a watching fight promotion, I recommended asking a local for more information. This could be as simple as asking tuk tuk or motorcycle taxi drivers at the bus station. Fight promotions often occur in fields and at temple festivals, so be prepared to drive.

 

For those of you interested in training Muay Thai in Buriram, there are loads of options, particularly outside of the city. For those of you planning to train and fight Muay Thai fulltime, Kiat Moo 9 Muay Thai gym is an extremely well respected gym located in Takotapi. I only recommend those serious about training and fighting train at Kiat Moo 9. At this point in time, I’m not certain if the gym has anyone onsite who can speak English. You can try reaching them here for more information.

 

 

Ya Kiatpetch is another of Buriram’s esteemed Muay Thai Gyms. Located in the Sateuk district of Buriram province, the gym has a stable of active stadium fighters. More information on Ya Kiatpetch Muay Thai gym here.

 

Buriram Be Boxing Muay Thai gym is located in the I-Mobile stadium located on Road 219 to Prakon Chai between The Monument of King Rama (King Rama riding an elephant) and the Khao Kradong Forest Park and Reservoir. The gym is best suited for Muay Thai beginners, recreationalists and those looking for a fitness activity. That being said, there are seasoned fighters and trainers on staff, so there is a lot to learn for those who have previous Muay Thai experience. The style of Muay Thai training at Buriram Be Boxing reflects Western training norms, as opposed to traditional Thai ways of training. There is English speaking staff onsite.

 

Badminton & Tennis

 

Buriram’s badminton and tennis courts are located on Paludmuang Road, between Tanee Road and Jira Road. The courts are located beside the Buriram swimming pool.

Hours of Operation: 10:00 am to 8:00 pm

 

Fishing

 

There are a number of places to fish in Buriram city and the surrounding area. A drive anywhere outside the downtown area or in any nearby village are good places to start. There are local rivers and bodies of water, as well as designated fishing ponds which charge an entrance fee. The designated fishing ponds, where an entrance fee is required, often hold competitions: the person who catches the heaviest fish wins a sum of money. In regards to undesignated fishing areas, I recommended asking locals if fishing is allowed. It’s quite possible you may end up on private property.

 

 

Fitness

 

Several neighbourhoods in Buriram house roadside gyms furnished with stationary fitness equipment which are free of charge to use.Drive around Buriram and you’ll come across many. The most popular however, is located on Romburi Road at Jira Road, across from the main moat. Locals tend to meet and train together at this location. This includes running around the moat between 6:00 am and 8:00 am and again between 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm (the cooler times of the day). Free aerobic classes occur here in the evening.

 

Rajabhat University has a two level, full equipped fitness gym facility that was constructed in 2011. The gym opens at 4:00 pm and the entrance fee is 30 baht per visit. Locals tend to train together, including running around the university’s track, between 6:00 am and 8:00 am and again between 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm. Rajabhat University is located on Jira Road, between Bulamduan Road and Inchannarong Road. The running track is located beside the fitness gym and is easily identifiable from Jira Road due to the bleachers/seating surrounding it.

 

Fit Fit Fit Fitness Buriram is a privately owned, luxury indoor gym which also has an onsite sauna. It is located at 448 Moo 3. Monthly memberships are available. It is also a great place to meet people.

 

Golf

 

The Buriram driving range is located on Road 226, leading to Surin. Drive out of Buriram, towards Surin, continually driving straight and not veering off any of the roads that deviate from a straight path. In time, the golf course signage, in Thai language, will be visible on the left hand side.

 

 

Swimming

 

The Buriram pool is located on Paludmuang Road between Tanee Road and Jira Road. It is open between 10:00 am and 8:00 pm. Entrance fees are 30 baht for adults and 20 baht for students. Buriram locals dress moderately when swimming. I highly recommend that men wear swim shorts, not briefs, and women wear either a full piece swimsuit or a t-shirt over a two piece swimsuit.

 

There is a small, water play park outside of Buriram city in the nearby village of Baan Yang. The water park has two pools, slides, a shaded area, and a restaurant onsite. To get there, drive down the highway towards Satuk. Within roughly 3 km the main gate to Baan Yang will be on your right hand side. Turn down the very next road and follw the signs to the water play park.

 

 

Buriram Leisure Activities

 

Auto & Motorcycle Racing

 

The Chang International Circuit is a 4.554 km long vehicle racing track that boasts twelve bends of varying severity and a 50,000 person capacity grandstand. It is the first FIA Grade 1 and FIM Grade A circuit in Thailand and was designed by Herman Tilke who is considered to be among the world’s top race circut designers. The Chang International Circuit has been approved to host MOTO GP, F3, GT1, GT2 and GT3 events. It can also accommodate Formula 1 testing and it meets FIA Grade IT and FIM Grade A standards. It is located next to the I-Mobile stadium located on Road 219 to Prakon Chai between The Monument of King Rama (King Rama riding an elephant) and the Khao Kradong Forest Park and Reservoir.

 

More information on The Chang International Circuit here.

 

 

Cafes & Restaurants

 

Buriram offers a wide range of culinary options from the street stall to the full dining experience. Reflective of other cities in Thailand, a meal is easy to find at all hours of the day and night. You can investigate the city’s options on your own or, if you’re interested in meeting some of Buriram’s expats, visit one of the following:

 

Bamboo Bar 14/13 Romburi Road, Tel. 044 625577

Coffee Connection Restaurant 332/6 Jira Rd, Tel. 083 3692069

Muang Pizza 514/59 Harnchana Road, Tel. 044 612032

Paddy’s Irish Bar 90/79-80 Anuwat Road, Tel. 044 620441

 

Movies/Cinema

 

Buriram’s MVP movie theatre is located at the New Taweekit Supercenter on Jira Road. Follow Jira Road towards Nang Rong and it will be on your right-hand side after the train tracks. Thai and English language movies are available for viewing.

 

The city’s SFC Cinema is located in the Robinson Lifestyle Center at 125 Moo 6 (Hwy No 218).

 

Shooting Range

 

The Buriram United Shooting Range is open in the I-Mobile stadium located on Road 219 to Prakon Chai between The Monument of King Rama (monument with King Rama riding an elephant) and the Khao Kradong Forest Park and Reservoir. Once at I-Mobile stadium, drive through the parking lot/car park to the back of the stadium. The shooting range is there.

 

 

Shopping

 

As Buriram has been growing at a rapid rate in recent years, so have its shopping options. Buriram offers big box retailers in addition to a number of markets and independent shops.

 

Buriram Markets

 

There are a number of farmers’ markets in Buriram.

 

Morning Market

 

The morning farmers’ market, which is open between the approximate hours of 6:00 am and 9:00 am is located on Nivas Road as it veers towards the Government Public Hospital on Nasatance Road. It is on the short stretch of road between the hospital and the roundabout on Nivas.

 

Morning/Day Market

 

The day farmers’ market is located on Anuwat Road between Soonthonthep Road and Lukmuang Road. It opens at approximately 6:00 am and closes in the late afternoon/early evening.

 

Evening/Night Market

 

The Buriram night market opens at approximately 4:00 pm. General grocers begin to close shop at approximately 8:00 pm. This includes some vendors selling pre-prepared meals. Some fresh food stalls stay open late into the night/early am. The night market is located on Romburi Road, south of Jira and near the Buriram moats and park. As there is signage, it is difficult to miss.

 

Klong Thom Market

 

The Klong Thom Market is a mix of a farmers’ market, new clothing and gadget retailers, and vintage clothing sellers. It is located in the field, over the train tracks, west on Tanee Road on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and between the hours of 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm. It is available between those hours on Mondays and Wednesdays on Robmeang Road, near the Diamond Grand Hotel (between Road 219 leading to Prakhon Chai and Soonthonthep Road.

 

 

 

Retail

 

Buriram is in no shortage of independent retailers throughout the city. Romburi Road is perhaps the busiest area with independent shops. Big box retailers, offering a variety of goods in one location are available:

 

Big C 150 Moo 7, Isaan Sub District. Follow Jira Road towards Nang Rong and it will be on your left-hand side.

 

Makro Moo 7,  Isaan Sub District. Follow Jira Road towards Nang Rong and it will be on your left-hand side, after passing Big C.

 

New Taweekit Supercenter Jira Road. Follow Jira Road towards Nang Rong and it will be on your right-hand side after the train tracks.

 

Old Taweekit Supercenter Jira Road, between Paludmuang Road and Road 219 leading to Prakhon Chai, before the roundabout and across from City Hall.

 

Robinson Lifestyle Center 125 Moo 6 (Hwy No 218).

 

Buriram Hotels and Map

 

Find information on how to book a hotel in Buriram here and get your Buriram map here.

 

If I’ve missed anything, please feel free to let us know in the comments.