Buriram remains an off the beaten path travel destination for foreign travelers despite its growing popularity amongst Thai tourists.  What was once a city associated with negative connotations (I remember my Lonely Planet guide from 2006 advising tourist not to waste their time on Buriram), has evolved into an incredible spot for tourists to experience North Eastern culture, while having access to some of the comforts found in Chiang Mai and Bangkok.   However, unlike Chiang Mai and Bangkok, Buriram is a city where walking from one place to another is uncommon, unless your destinations are near one another.  Although experiencing the city walking is doable, Buriram is … [Read more...]

    Buriram Tourism   The city of Buriram, Thailand has been in a consistent state of expansion for years. When I first arrived in 2010, the city was under development and during the two and a half years I resided there, much changed and the momentum hasn't stopped.  Local politician Newin Chidchob has been a driving force in Buriram's development; he, among other Buriram residents and investors, have invested substantial amounts of energy and capital in an effort to reinvent the city.   Buriram is quickly becoming a sports and leisure destination among Thai nationals; it's also home to the highly ranked Thai Premier League football / soccer team Buriram … [Read more...]

  Overview   Buriram province is located in Thailand's northeast region of Isaan. The province’s capital Buriram City (Amphoe Mueang Buriram) lies approximately 410 km Northeast of Bangkok by road, and approximately 376 km by train. Buriram City is the land transportation hub for the rest of the province with buses and trains leaving daily to destinations in and outside of the province. Buriram's airport is located near the town of Satuek approximately 35 km from the city’s centre. There are direct buses leaving from Bangkok to Buriram multiple times daily.   Buriram's neighbouring provinces are Sa Kaeo, Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat), Khon Kaen, Maha Sarakham and … [Read more...]

    About Phanom Rung   Phanom Rung Historical Park is located in Buriram Province in the Chalerm Prakiat District and the Tapek Sub-District.  The sandstone and laterite Hindu temple dates back to the 10th to 13th centuries. The temple was originally dedicated to Shiva and built by the Khmers. Phanom Rung houses the largest and best restored Khmer monument in Thailand; it took 17 years to complete the restoration.   I lived in Buriram for two and a half years and the site holds a high esteem with the people of Buriram.  I was consistently told by locals that the temple is rumoured to have been a prototype for the later built Angkor Wat in nearby … [Read more...]