Buri Ram (Thai: บุรีรัมย์) is one of the north-eastern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from south clockwise) Sa Kaeo, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Maha Sarakham and Surin. To the south-east it borders Oddar Meancheay of Cambodia. The name Buri Ram means City of happiness.
History
Almost a thousand years ago the present- day Buri Ram area was evidently subdued to Khmer Empire as many ruins from that time are still visible there. The biggest of them on an extinct volcano is protected in the Phanom Rung historical park. According to the inscription found, her ruler recognized the hegemony of Khmer Empire's king. Before the foundation of Bangkok, little was known about her. From early Bangkok Period, in the early nineteenth century, the town originally called Muang Pae, was renamed 'Buriram'. Then she became under Thai rule. After the administrative reform in the late nineteenth century, Buriram was incorporated into Siam or late Thailand as a province.
Administrative divisions
The province is subdivided into 23 districts (amphoe). The districts are further subdivided into 189 subdistricts (tambon) and 2212 villages (muban).
1. Mueang Buriram
2. Khu Mueang
3. Krasang
4. Nang Rong
5. Nong Ki
6. Lahan Sai
7. Prakhon Chai
8. Ban Kruat
9. Phutthaisong
10. Lam Plai Mat
11. Satuek
12. Pakham
13. Na Pho
14. Nong Hong
15. Phlapphla Chai
16. Huai Rat
17. Non Suwan
18. Chamni
19. Ban Mai Chaiyaphot
20. Non Din Daeng
21. Ban Dan
22. Khaen Dong
23. Chaloem Phra Kiat
Tourism
Lower Northeastern Cultural Centre (ศูนย์วัฒนธรรมอีสานใต้): The Centre collects and exhibits artefacts and precious historical objects, folk art and archaeological evidence. It is also the resource centre for conducting research.
The Monument of King Rama I (พระบรมราชานุสาวรีย์พระบาทสมเด็จพระพุทธยอดฟ้าจุฬาโลก): The monument was built in 1996 to honour King Rama I who founded Buri Ram while he was serving as Somdet Phraya Maha Kasatsuek.
Khao Kradong Forest Park (วนอุทยานเขากระโดง): This extinct volcano is now a relaxation spot. The top is 265 metres above sea level and it houses "Phra Suphattharabophit", a large Buddha image that is the symbol of Buri Ram.
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.
Huai Talat Reservoir and Buri Ram Bird Park (อ่างเก็บน้ำห้วยตลาดและสวนนกบุรีรัมย์): A survey found more than 100 species of birds living in this area during the dry season which lasts from November to April.
Phanom Rung historical park (อุทยานประวัติศาสตร์พนมรุ้ง): Prasat Hin Phanom Rung is a Hindu shrine dedicated to the God Shiva. On the occasion of the Thai Heritage Conservation Day in 1988, Phanom Rung Historical Park was officially opened by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on May 21 of that year.
Wat Khao Angkhan (วัดเขาอังคาร): Inside the temple compound, there are ruins of ancient monuments and sandstone boundary markers of the Dvaravati period. At present, it is one of the most beautiful and significant temples in Buri Ram.
Thung Laem Reservoir (อ่างเก็บน้ำทุ่งแหลม): It is a small reservoir which has been renovated into a recreational area with shelters for rest and relaxation. During the dry season, many species of waterfowl can be found at this reservoir.
Prasat Hin Mueang Tam (ปราสาทหินเมืองต่ำ): It is one of the Khmer sanctuaries with outstanding architecture in Buriram.
Ang Kep Nam Sanam Bin Non-hunting Area (เขตห้ามล่าสัตว์ป่าอ่างเก็บน้ำสนามบิน): The office of the non-hunting area is located on the left side of the road.
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.
Ancient Kiln Sites (แหล่งเตาโบราณ): Archaeologists found ancient kilns and ceramics during their surveys. The kilns date from around the 9th – 10th century and served as a production centre for Khmer ceramics supplying other cities.
Prasat Wat Khok Ngio (ปราสาทวัดโคกงิ้ว): It is a Khmer stone sanctuary located behind Wat Khok Ngio, and it once served as an "Arogayasala" or a hospital.
Rao Su Monument (อนุสาวรีย์เราสู้): It was 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.
Lam Nang Rong Dam (เขื่อนลำนางรอง): It is an area under a Royal Project for security development. The Lam Nang Rong Dam is an earthen dam with an asphalt road along the crest with an expansive view.
Prasat Nong Hong (ปราสาทหนองหงส์): It is a small archaeological site comprising three prangs made from brick on a single laterite base.
Big Buddha Image (พระพุทธรูปใหญ่) or Phra Phuttharup Patima Santayaphirom Satuek Udom Ratsadon Nimitmanin is a big standing Buddha image on the bank of the Mun River, opposite the Satuek District Office.
Phrachao Yai Wat Hong (พระเจ้าใหญ่วัดหงษ์): It is 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.
Silk Weaving Village of Amphoe Na Pho (หมู่บ้านทอผ้าไหมอำเภอนาโพธิ์): It is a silk weaving village, especially "Mudmi" silk, which has received support for their development of skills, the standard of production, and their patterns and colours from the Royal Folk Arts and Craft Centre under the royal patronage of HM Queen Sirikit.
Ku Suan Taeng (กู่สวนแตง): Ku Suan Taeng is also a Khmer architectural site, comprising three brick prangs lying from north to south, on the same laterite base.
Festivals
Aside from important religious days, Songkran Day and New Year’s Day, Buri Ram also has other local festivals such as the festival of the 5th lunar month when the locals make merit, bathe Buddha images and senior people, perform traditional sports such as Saba and tug of war. In some areas like Amphoe Phutthaisong, there is the Bang Fai traditional rocket dance, Khao Phansa, at the beginning of Buddhist Lent and Loy Krathong in the 12th lunar month. Some of the local festivals include:
Phrachao Yai Wat Hong Homage–paying Fair (งานนมัสการพระเจ้าใหญ่วัดหงษ์): Held in Amphoe Phutthaisong during the 14th day of the waxing moon to the 1st day of the waning moon in the 3rd lunar month of every year. It is a fair to pay homage to and for applying gold leaf on the Phrachao Yai, a highly revered Buddha image of the people of Buri Ram. The event lasts 3 days with numerous merit-making ceremonies and fun-filled activities.
Buddha’s Footprint Homage–paying Fair (งานนมัสการรอยพระพุทธบาทจำลอง): The event takes place at Khao Kradong, Amphoe Mueang, on the full moon day of the 3rd lunar month. A large number of local people visit Khao Kradong to pay homage to a replica of the Buddha’s footprint and the Phra Suphattharabophit image whilst enjoying the big celebration.
Phanom Rung Fair (งานประเพณีขึ้นเขาพนมรุ้ง): Phanom Rung Sanctuary was once a sacred Hindu shrine which was later changed into a religious site for Buddhists. During the time it was deserted, a replica of the Buddha’s footprint was taken to be enshrined at Prang Noi. It has become a tradition for local people to climb up to the mountaintop to pay respect to the Buddha’s footprint and put gold leaf on it. Every year, on the full moon day of the 5th lunar month, there is an annual festival to pay respect to the site. Because Phanom Rung is a beautiful and important historical site, the province also organizes an annual festival on the first weekends of April when a colourful parade is held following ancient royal Khmer tradition as well as a sound and light show at the Phanom Rung Sanctuary.
Buri Ram Long Boat Races (ประเพณีแข่งเรือยาวจังหวัดบุรีรัมย์): It is organized annually on the first weekend of November when the Mun River is high. Oarsmen from Buri Ram and other nearby provinces would gather to join the boat racing which is held in front of Amphoe Satuek’s district office. Each year, there are about 40 to 50 boats in the competition. There is also a parade of fancy decorated boats during the event. Boat racing was once a traditional festival celebrated among friends and relatives to pay homage to Chaopho Wang Krut, a spirit named after a whirlpool in the Mun River. Since 1986, it has become a festival of the province.
Isan Kite Festival (งานมหกรรมว่าวอีสานบุรีรัมย์): Held annually at the sports stadium in Amphoe Huai Rat on the first weekend of December, or during the harvest season when the cold northeastern wind blows. At this time of the year, local people make "aek" kites, a traditional kite of the Northeastern people. Buri Ram province organized the first Isan Kite Festival in 1986 to conserve and publicize the local tradition of the Lower Northeast. There is also a kite competition among the locals who come from the surrounding districts and villages. A kite to enter the competition must be more than 2.5 metres wide and it is judged for its beautiful design, the sound of the "aek" – a sound–making device attached to the kite - and the way it floats in the sky. During the event there are also colourful kite parades, folk performances, shows and booths displaying the local products.
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