Buriram nightlife is low key compared to the larger cities in Thailand, particularly those catering to the tourist market such as Phuket and Pattaya. That being said, Buriram isn’t a sleepy, country town. There is always something to do at night. Here are some of your options:
Buriram Bars, Nightclubs and Karaoke
From large, heavily trafficked clubs, to mid-sized drinking establishments, to intimate bars and karaoke rooms, Buriram offers a variety of choices for your nighttime entertainment.
Buriram Bars
Buriram has a number of bars throughout the city; from ex-pat hang-outs, to small local karaoke bars, to anything you can find in the entertainment block on Romburi Road. Small neighbourhood bars open up in any given neighbourhood and sometimes last only a few months.Additionally, the hours these small bars operate can be sporadic: sometimes they’re open, sometimes not. Investigate it all and go have fun.
Buriram’s entertainment block is located on Romburi Road between Nivas Road and Tanee Road. To help locate it, look for the city’s only clock tower as it is located where Nivas Toad and Romburi Road meet. The entertainment block is impossible to miss as it is clearly signed and houses a number of nighttime entertainment businesses.
Buriram Ex-pat Bars
If you’re interested in having a drink with other foreigners, two good places to start would be the city’s main ex-pat bars. Bamboo Bar is a Buriram staple and has been in business for over a decade. It’s located near Buriram’s entertainment block at 14/13 Romburi Road. Paddy’s Irish Bar is located at the other end of the city at 90/79-80 Anuwat Road and is a great place to have a pint of beer and watch a football/soccer match.
Another alternative is Nekromantix Saloon. It’s one of Buriram’s best kept secrets, hidden away from the highly populated entertainment block and can be found on Thani road, past the railroad station. To get there, drive past the railway station until you come to a crossroad. Drive straight to Lukmuang Street. The bar will be on your left. Nekromantix offers one of the largest selections of beer in Buriram and has live music. It’s a modern, intimate bar where Thais and foreigners both frequent.
Here’s a sampling of the type of entertainment you can expect at Nekromantix Saloon.
Buriram Nightclubs
The two main clubs and the focal point of Buriram nightlife are located within the same entertainment block of the city.
Speed Music Hall showcases live mainstream performance acts (i.e. a vocalist singing popular Thai songs with dancers) and on some nights, the addition of a local band. There are DJ’d sets between bands, which often includes Hip-Hop and Dance. This is a club you don’t want to show up in flip-flops. I highly recommend that you dress well.
Tawan Daeng is Buriram’s Thai country music venue. Like Speed Music Hall, Tawan Daeng showcases live performers (backed by dancers) and bands, the difference being, the music and the culture are solely country. Tawan Daeng is more casual than Speed Music Hall, but relatively the same size.
Both Buriram nightclubs are located on Romburi Road between Nivas Road and Tanee Road in the same entertainment block as many of Buriram’s largest bars (as stated in the above section on Bars). The city’s only clock tower is a highly visible landmark located where Nivas Toad and Romburi Road meet. The entertainment block is difficult to miss as it is clearly signed and houses a number of smaller bars, restaurants and the large Victoria karaoke complex (which houses a number of karaoke rooms).
Buriram Karaoke
Buriram has a selection of karaoke bars to choose from scattered around the city. The largest karaoke bar is Victoria, located in the city’s main entertainment block, next to Speed Music Hall (read above for directions). Victoria is a two level complex where karaoke rooms can be rented out by the hour. Each room offers full service food and drink options. Victoria also offers snooker tables in addition to karaoke rooms. Victoria isn’t a casual karaoke club, as one may find in Thai tourist areas. I suggest dressing well (no shorts, no flip flops, and for men, shirts with sleeves) to show respect to the local culture and to ensure polite treatment from staff.
There are smaller, more casual karaoke bars located along In Jandra Narong Road and Bulamduang Road.
Buriram Night Markets
There are two night markets in Buriram. The main night market opens at 4:00 pm daily and closes around 8:00 pm. In it you’ll find small restaurants; vendors selling pre-made meals, smoothies and juices; local produce, fish and meat; household goods; and whatever pops up on any given day. The night market is located on Romburi Road, south of Jira and near the Buriram moats and park. There are signs to help you find your way.
The Klong Thom Market moves around the city and is open from 4:00 pm to approximately 8:00 pm. Vendors from around Buriram come to sell freshly prepared food, smoothies and juices; pre-made meals ; local produce, fish, and meat; used and new clothing; household goods; pets; and anything you can imagine. Often you’ll find new vendors making an appearance in addition to vendors you can expect to see every night. When specific fruits are in season, expect to find a pick up truck full of them; farmers come in to sell produce directly from their farms. You can also find a wide array of rice being sold. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, The Klong Thom Market opens in the field over the train tracks, west on Tanee Road. On Mondays and Wednesdays, the market is located on Robmeang Road, near the Diamond Grand Hotel (between Road 219 leading to Prakhon Chai and Soonthonthep Road).
Buriram Sporting Events and Festivals
Buriram Football/Soccer
Buriram is quickly moving towards being Thailand’s major sports hub. Buriram United is one of the country’s top Thai Premier League football/soccer teams and local support is tremendous. Home matches often take place in the evenings, with spectators moving towards the night market on Romburi Road for post match meals. Matches are held at New 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.
More information, including Buriram United’s program/schedule here.
Buriram Muay Thai
Buriram is also home to some of Thailand’s top Muay Thai fighters. There are Muay Thai fights held roughly every night of the week throughout Buriram province, mainly on the outskirts of the city. Fights in Buriram often last for a very long time, starting in the early evening and ending late into the night, far past midnight. You will find fights between fighters as young as eight years old to fights between some Thailand’s top Muay Thai fighters, for a fraction of the cost you’ll pay in the major stadiums in Bangkok. I recommend speaking to the motorcycle taxi drivers in the city for more information.
Buriram Festivals
There are loads of festivals throughout the year in Buriram, many of which, I couldn’t tell you their names. Here’s a listing of some of them.
Generally speaking, the moats on Jira Road act as a place where Buriram city residents meet in the early evenings to run, do aerobics, and get massages. This is also the area where festivals are often held; a quick drive by the area on any given evening may be worth your while. Note, festivals are often held on nights of the full moon, but that shouldn’t dissuade you from checking in during any other time. You never know what you’ll find.
Find information on how to travel around Buriram, including a city map here.
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