Buri
Ram province is an important link on the historical tour known as the
Khmer route that takes travellers due east from Nakhon Ratchasima to
where the rivers Chi and Mun join the Mekong River east of Ubon
Ratchathani.
Khmer ruins constitute the most important historical sites
of the lower region of Isan. They start with Phimai and continue with
equally impressive sites in Buri Ram province such as the Khmer temple
of Prasat Phanom Rung close to the Cambodian border. Another
is the large Buddha image on Khao Kradon mountain.
Buri Ram is 410 km from Bangkok, with an area
of 10,300 square kilometres. The majority of
the interesting tourist sites are a half- to
one-hour drive from the provincial town. Traditionally
tours stay overnight in Nakhon Ratchasima or
Surin. During his reign there was prosperity and happiness. There was
water in the paddy fields and fish in the water. A stone inscription
reads in part, "This Muang Sukhothai is good. In the water
there are fish, in the field there is rice. The ruler does not
levy a tax on the people who riding their horses on the way
to sell. Whoever wants to trade in elephants, so trades. Whoever
wants to trade in horses, so trades.. Whoever wants to trade
in silver and gold, so trades"
Buri Ram Attractions:
Khao Phanom Rung Historic Park
is located 53 km from Buri Ram town off Highway 24. Built
at the same time as Angkor Wat, Prasat Phanom Rung was originally
a temple glorifying the Hindu deity Siva. Standing on an extinct
volcano, the complex holds an extraordinary collection of
Khmer art. Three magnificent Naga bridges in the park are
the only examples of their kind in Thailand, with the exception
of one in Phimai. The lintel carvings of the main prang display
a superb execution of detail. One of the lintels, the well-known "Narai Bontomsin" which
depicts a reclining Vishnu, was recently returned from a museum
in the United States.
Muang Tam - "The lower City"
- is situated 8 km from Prasat Phanom Rung. Predating Phanom
Rung by about 120 years, this lovely Khmer temple was constructed
from sandstone and laterite. Its major features are five brick
prangs surrounded by ponds.
Prang Ku Suan
Tang in Phutthaisong district consists of three Khmer-style
pagodas built of brick. The beautifully carved door panels
depict scenes from the Ramayana epic. More
