:: Lamduan

Pine Conservation Area at Tambon Chok Nua is 35 kilometres from Surin town on the Surin-Sangkha Road. The forest here has plenty of pine trees on level land. This is unusual because these pines normally grow on high ground and in a cooler climate.

Tapiang Tia Sanctuary is at Tambon Chok Nua on Highway No. 2077. The brick structure has 5 tops and is of Laotian architecture.

:: Sangkha

Phumipon sanctuary is at Tambon Dom, 10 kilometres from the district office on the Sangkha-Buachet Road. This is one of the oldest Khmer sanctuaries in the Northeast and was built around the 7 th - 8 th century.

Yai Ngao sanctuary is a Khmer sanctuary beside Highway No. 24, 4 kilometres from the district office.

:: Chom Phra

Chom Phra sanctuary is another Khmer sanctuary beside Highway No. 214, 26 kilometres from Surin town.

:: Tha Tum

Elephant village at Ban Ta Klang on Highway No. 214 (Chom Phra-Ta Tum) can be reached by going to the 36-km marker and left for 22 kilometres. The locals here are called the Suai people. They are skilled in capturing, training and raising elephants. An elephant museum here displays a complete elephant skeleton, its organs, tools used to capture elephants, elephant-raising techniques, and the history and development of Surin elephants.

:: Festival

Surin Elephant Roundup is held in the middle weekend of November. Visitors from around the world flock to see this grand event. Shows include capturing elephants, a tug-of-war between elephant and men, an elephant soccer match, elephant dances, a parade, elephants at war, and cultural performances.

:: Hotels and accommodation

Amarin :: 235 Thetsabon 1 Road Amphoe Muang [0 4451 1328] :: :: 130-180 baht

Erawan :: 370 Krung Si Nai Amphoe Muang [0 4451 1328] :: :: 80-150 baht

Krung Si :: 185 Krung Si Nai Road, In front of Clock Tower Amphoe Muang [0 4451 1037 Fax: 0 4451 3137] :: :: 120-280 baht

Leela-Crab Guest House :: 189/3 Patthamanon Road, Near Tha Tum Hospital Amphoe Tha Tum [0 4459 1418 Fax: 0 4459 1418] :: :: -

Memorial :: 646 Lak Muang Road Amphoe Muang [0 4451 1288] :: :: 240-480 baht

New Hotel :: 6-8 Thanasan Road, Near Surin Railway Station Amphoe Muang [0 4451 1341, 0 4451 1322] :: :: 180-750 baht

Nid Diao Hotel :: 279-281 Thanasan Road Amphoe Muang [0 4451 2009, 0 4451 2099 Fax: 0 4451 4329] :: :: 180-500 baht

Nimit Thong :: 84 Damrongrak Road (North of Railway Station) Amphoe Muang [0 4451 1186] :: :: 50-100 baht


Petchkasem Hotel :: 104 Jitbumrung Road, Amphoe Muang [(66 44) 511-274]

Phetkasem :: 104 Chit Bamrung Amphoe Muang [0 4451 1274, 0 4451 1740 Fax: 0 4451 4041] :: :: 800-3,500 baht

Phirom Guest House :: 242 Krung Si Nai Road, Near Thetsaban 3 School Amphoe Muang [0 4451 5140] :: :: 60-100 baht

Thong Tharin :: 60 Sirirat Amphoe Muang [0 4451 4281-8 Fax: 0 4451 1580] :: :: 1,000-6,000 baht

Ubon :: 156 Thanasan Road Amphoe Muang [0 4451 1133] :: :: 60-100 baht

:: Restaurants

Local Cuisine

Lao Ja :: 579 Tesabal 2 Rd., Tel: 0-4451-2354

Nga Chang :: Kotchasan Rd., Tel: 0-4451-3179

Pa Tee :: 40-42 Tesabal 1 Rd., Tel: 0-4451-1682, 0-4451-1588

Phetkasem Cafe :: Jit Bumrung Rd. (in front of Phetkasem Hotel)

Surindra :: Memorial Hotel, 646 Lak Muang Rd., Tel: 0-4451-1288

Wang Phet :: Phetkasem Hotel, 104 Jit Bumrung Rd., Tel: 0-4451-1274

:: How to get there

:: By car

:: By bus

From Bangkok, take Highway No. 1 to Saraburi and Highway No. 2 to Nakhon Ratchasima, then use Highway No.226 to Surin via Buri Ram, a total distance of 457 kilometres.

Buses depart from Bangkok's Mochit 2 Bus Terminal to Surin every day. Contact Transport Co.Ltd at Tel: 0 2936 2852-66 for more information

:: By train

Regular trains depart from Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Railway Station to Surin every day. Call 1690, 0 2223 7010-20 for more information.