:: Chaloem Phra Kiat

Wat Khao Angkhan is on an extinct volcano 20 kilometres from Phanom Rung. If travelling from Ban Ta Pek (between Ban Tako and Phanom Rung), use the road to Lahan Sai for 5 kilometres and onto a branch road to the temple for 10 kilometres. Wat Khao Angkhan represents an interesting mixture of architecture from various periods. Inside the main building are wall murals and stories of Buddhism told in English. Furthermore, many Dvaravati sandstone temple boundary markers have been discovered here.

Phanom Rung Historical Park is a grand and majestic Khmer site over a thousand years old. Built on an extinct volcano, it was originally a Hindu religious site but was later transformed into a Buddhist one. During the 10 th -13 th century, several additions were made.

The first thing visitors see when they arrive at the site is the grand stairway from the foot of the hill up to the top. Most of the buildings of the sanctuary were made of laterite and sandstone, all with elaborate designs. The buildings are lined all the way to the main pagoda. This layout is according to Hindu belief of the layout of the heaven of the god Shiva.

The main pagoda is a large one with a square base and facing east. The designs on the pagoda, columns, doorway, and lintels are exquisite, most telling a story of gods in Hinduism. From these designs and the architecture, it was surmised that the pagoda, the stairway, and the Naga Bridge were built during the 12 th century. Each building has descriptive designs telling people the purpose for its construction, its usefulness and the beliefs of ancient people.



Phanom Rung is open daily from 06.00-18.00 hrs.

Getting to Phanom Rung by car is easy. The sanctuary is 64 kilometres to the south of Buri Ram town. There are 2 ways to get there. Visitors can proceed from Nang Rong to Prakhon Chai (Highway No. 24) and upon reaching Ban Tako, there is a 12-kilometer road to Phanom Rung. Alternatively, if visitors proceed from Prakhon Chai, there is a road from there to the sanctuary with a distance of 21 kilometres. This route passes a branch road into Muang Tam sanctuary. Visitors can rent air-conditioned vans in town.

Visitors traveling by bus from Nakho Ratchasima can take the Nakhon Ratchasima-Surin bus and get off at Ban Tako (124 kilometres from Nakhon Ratchasima). From Ban Tako, a motorcycle service is available to take visitors to the site (fare according to agreement). There is 1 accommodation near the site.

:: Prakhon Chai

Muang Tam stone sanctuary can be reached by taking the road to Prakhon Chai for 8 kilometres and another 5 kilometres on a road on the right-hand side. This Khmer site has a square layout. Its main structures are 5 brick pagodas built on the same foundation and enclosed by two walls. The 4 doorways are perpendicular to each other and built of sandstone with beautiful designs.

The inner wall was made of sandstone and consists of one long, narrow continuous corridor, called Rabiang Khot. The outer wall was made of laterite. Lintels adorn the doorways and the main pagoda, recounting Hindu tales. Another highlight of the site is the 4 large pools between the walls. The edges of the pools have serpent designs with the head at the pool corner. The beauty of this Khmer site is second only to that of Phanom Rung.

:: Ban Kruat

Ban Kruat is 66 kilometres south of Buri Ram. Historical sites in this district are as follows:

Quarry at Ban Kruat is 6 kilometres into the way to Lahan Sai. The hill is littered with large and small rocks, some with traces of rock cutting. It is believed stones taken from here were used to construct a large number of sanctuaries in the lower Northeast.

Ancient kilns here constitute one of the most important pottery-making centers of the ancient Khmer Empire. The kilns date from the 9 th -14 th century. The pottery made here was supplied to cities in the empire. The Fine Arts Department renovated 2 kilns called Tao Sawai and Tao Nai Chian , 5 and 10 kilometres from Ban Kruat, respectively. The kilns are ideal for those interested in archaeology studies.
:: Pakham

Ban Khok Ngiu sanctuary is 3 kilometres before Pakham, or 75 kilometres from Buri Ram on Highway No. 218 and Highway No. 348. This ancient Khmer site is in Wat Khok Ngiu and it acted as a sort of local health office in ancient times. King Jayavoraman VII ordered its construction in the 13 th century.

:: Non Din Daeng

Nong Hong sanctuary is another Khmer sanctuary about 100 kilometres south of Buri Ram town near Lam Nang Rong Dam. The sanctuary comprises of 3 brick pagodas built on the same laterite base and surrounded by a laterite wall and a moat. It dates from the 11 th century.

:: Ban Mai Chaiyaphot

Ku Suan Taeng in Ban Don Wai can be reached by using the Buri Ram-Phayakkhaphum Phisai Road (Highway No. 219) for 70 kilometres, then left onto Highway No. 202 to Prathai for about 40 kilometres where there is a left-hand road to Ku Suan Taeng. This is another Khmer site with 3 brick pagodas on a single laterite base. The famous Narai Banthom Sin lintel was discovered here and is now kept in the National Museum in Bangkok. The lintel proves this site dates from the 12 th century.

:: Huai Rat

The Suan Nok (bird park) is at Huay Talat Reservoir, a wildlife reserve. To get there, take the Buri Ram-Prakhon Chai Road for 12 kilometres and take a left-hand road for 2 kilometres. The park is the home of many waterfowls that include both local species and those that migrate from colder countries. They are prevalent during November to April, which is Thailand's dry season.