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    Buriram

    Thailand

    Buriram

    CityCulture

    Buriram, in southern Isan, combines Khmer heritage with professional sports. The province is known for Phanom Rung Historical Park, a Khmer temple complex atop an extinct volcano, and the nearby sanctuary Muang Tam with its water features.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Thailand
    7. Isan (Northeast Thailand)
    9. Buriram
    Buriram, in southern Isan, combines Khmer heritage with professional sports. The province is known for Phanom Rung Historical Park, a Khmer temple complex atop an extinct volcano, and the nearby sanctuary Muang Tam with its water features.On the outskirts of the city are the Chang International Circuit, where MotoGP races, and the stadium of Buriram United. On race and match days, accommodation is scarce.For the temples, early morning and late afternoon are best, as there is little shade. Phanom Rung and Muang Tam are best combined with your own vehicle in one day. In the city, the markets offer a good impression of daily life and Isan cuisine.

    Sights in Buriram

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    1King Rama I Monument

    Monument for King Rama I. on a roundabout in the city center. According to local tradition, he founded Buriram decades before his coronation, when he was still a general. Residents place flowers and incense sticks here; please dress and behave accordingly.
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    2Chang Arena

    Home stadium of Buriram United, multiple Thai football champions. On match days, the city is full of fans in blue, tickets available at the stadium. Stadium and race track sit side-by-side on the city's edge.
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    3

    Monastery on the extinct volcano Khao Phra Angkhan, approximately 20 kilometers from Phanom Rung. The reddish-brown ordination hall is modern, blending Khmer, Thai, and other stylistic elements. Surrounding the hall are boundary markers (Bai Sema) made of basalt from the Dvaravati period, more than a thousand years old. Open daily 8 AM to 6 PM, admission free.
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    4

    City-edge racetrack, home to the MotoGP Thai Grand Prix since 2018, and the 2026 season opener. On race weekends, the city is fully booked and approach roads are packed. On other days, trackdays and smaller events are held.
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    Essen & Trinken

    1

    Kuaitiao Po Pla Nai Hang Pheng

    Buriram's noodle spot, aptly named for its Kuay Teow with fish and fish balls. Like everywhere in Thailand, it's served wet (in broth) or dry, with soup alongside. A simple place for a quick meal.
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    Shabu Paradise Premium

    Shabu-Restaurant in Buriram. You cook meat, seafood, and vegetables yourself in a broth simmering at your table. You then craft your own dipping sauce from the ingredients provided. The modern restaurant is designed for groups and families.
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    2

    Khun Phai Kitchen

    Small restaurant in Buriram serving everyday Thai cuisine. Orders are taken from a selection of standard Thai dishes found on every menu, complemented by spicy Isan salads and grilled specialties. A local spot for residents, not aimed at tourists.
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    3

    Zabb Halal Food

    A Buriram restaurant serving Thai cuisine prepared according to Halal guidelines. Instead of pork, chicken, beef, and fish are used in the dishes; otherwise, the menu follows typical Thai cuisine. For travelers observing Halal, this is an obvious choice in the city.
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    4

    Choetchai Buriram

    Thai restaurant in Buriram, primarily visited by residents. The province is part of Isan, whose cuisine features herbs, chilli, lime, and sticky rice. The setting is simple, the atmosphere relaxed.
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    5

    Jumbo Noodle Nai Rian

    Noodle shop in Buriram. The menu offers Kuay Teow, served either in broth or dry, with your preferred topping. A straightforward place for a quick lunch or dinner.
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    6

    Suki Shabu Thawikit Buriram

    Suki and Shabu spot in Buriram. At your table, a hotpot of broth awaits, where you cook thinly sliced meat, seafood, and vegetables, served with spicy Suki sauce. Dined communally, this style is popular with families and larger gatherings.
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    7

    Muang Pizza

    Pizza restaurant in Buriram, a spot for anyone seeking a break from Thai cuisine. The menu focuses on classic pizzas, and the atmosphere is simple and casual.
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    The Food and Drink

    Buriram serves Isan cuisine, which is distinctly spicier and saltier than Central Thai. Sticky rice replaces jasmine rice; fermented fish sauce, Pla Ra, provides a fundamental flavour for many dishes; and grilling is prevalent. If you can't handle spice well, be sure to say so — the standard level is high.

    Som Tum

    Salad of grated green papaya with lime, fish sauce, tomatoes, and plenty of chili. The Isan variant Som Tum Pla Ra contains fermented fish sauce and is more intense than the mild Bangkok version.

    Larb

    Minced meat with toasted rice grains, mint, shallots, lime and chili. Served lukewarm, with sticky rice and raw vegetables. One of the region's key dishes.

    Khao Niao

    Sticky rice, steamed in bamboo baskets and hand-rolled into balls. A staple food of Isan and a companion to almost everything — not a side dish, but the main event.

    Kai Yang

    Charcoal-grilled flattened, marinated chicken, served with a sweet-spicy tamarind sauce. At street stalls, often sold with Som Tum and sticky rice.

    Guay Jab and Noodle Soups

    Beyond Isan cuisine, the city offers a Sino-Thai noodle culture with fish balls, boat noodles, and rolled rice noodles. Affordable, mild, and open mornings.

    City Center Night Market

    Evenings, downtown street kitchens open, with grilled skewers, papaya salad, sausages, sweets. The quickest way to taste local food, no menu needed.

    Culture and History

    Buriram belongs to Isan and is also located in the southern Khmer cultural region. Isan, a language related to Laotian, is spoken, as is Northern Khmer in the border districts.From the 10th to the 13th century, the area was under the influence of Angkor. The province's sandstone complexes, including Phanom Rung and Muang Tam, date from this period. Even older are the boundary stones from the Dvaravati period at Khao Phra Angkhan volcano. According to local tradition, the founding of the present-day city is attributed to the later King Rama I.In May, Bun Bang Fai, the Rocket Festival, is celebrated in many places, petitioning for rain for the rice crop. Silk is woven in some villages.

    Exploring the Area

    The city centre is walkable. Songthaews and motorcycle taxis operate within the city.For Phanom Rung and Muang Tam, a rental car or a driver is most practical. By public transport, you take a bus to Nang Rong and continue from there by motorcycle taxi. It's difficult to visit both temples in one day using public transport.Buriram is on the Bangkok–Ubon Ratchathani railway line; the station is centrally located. The airport offers flights to Bangkok. On race weekends, flights and rental cars book out early.Current information on safety and health, including the border area with Cambodia, can be found on the website of the German Federal Foreign Office.

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    Nearby

    Surin

    Surin

    Surin, located in the south of Isan, is closely linked to Thailand's elephant culture. The province is shaped by the Kui people, who have caught and guided elephants for generations. The annual Elephant Round-up in November is the city's biggest event.Beyond that, Surin is a tranquil provincial town. At the Talat Mai market, you'll find Isan cuisine and silk, still hand-woven in the surrounding villages.The surrounding area features Khmer sanctuaries like Prasat Sikhoraphum with its five brick towers. The most pleasant time to visit is the cooler dry season from November to February.
    Phanom Rung Historical Park

    Phanom Rung Historical Park

    Prasat Hin Phanom Rung stands on the rim of an extinct volcano in Buriram province and is one of the most complete Khmer sites in Thailand. The temple was built in several phases from the 10th to the 13th century and was dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. The mountain was considered an image of his abode, Kailash.Access is via a paved processional road, across a bridge lined with Naga snakes, and up a staircase to the main prang. Lintels and pediments with scenes from Hindu mythology are preserved at the portals, including the Narai-Bandhomsindhu lintel, which returned from Chicago in 1988.On a few days annually, the sun aligns through all 15 doorways at sunrise or sunset. Crowds are huge then. Shade is minimal; come early morning. The smaller sanctuary Prasat Muang Tam lies a few kilometers away at the mountain's foot.
    Phimai Historical Park

    Phimai Historical Park

    The Phimai Historical Park in Nakhon Ratchasima Province encompasses the grand Khmer temple complex Prasat Hin Phimai. The main prang was begun around 1080 under King Jayavarman VI, with additions made in the 13th century. Unlike most Khmer temples, Phimai was dedicated to Mahayana Buddhism from the outset.The main prang, built of light sandstone, stands within a rectangular walled enclosure with four gateways. The complex opens to the south, towards the old Royal Road to Angkor. Lintels and pediments display Buddhist and Hindu motifs.The complex is located in the heart of Phimai town and is easily accessible on foot, while the National Museum showcases sculptures and lintels from the region. On the outskirts of town is the Banyan Grove Sai Ngam, with food stalls by the water. Phimai is a day trip from Nakhon Ratchasima.
    Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat)

    Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat)

    Nakhon Ratchasima, commonly known as Korat, is one of the largest cities in Isan and, for travellers, primarily the gateway to the region. It lies beyond the ascent to the Khorat Plateau and is well-connected by train, bus, and road.From the historic city centre, parts of the city wall, the moat, and the Chumphon Gate are preserved. In front of it stands the Thao Suranari Monument, dedicated to a local heroine who is said to have organised resistance against troops from Vientiane in 1826. Here, she is honoured daily with flowers, incense sticks, and music.Korat is a good starting point for excursions: northeast to the Khmer complex Phimai, southwest to Khao Yai National Park. South of town, Dan Kwian village produces ceramics from iron-rich clay.Culinarily, the city is known for Pad Mi Korat, fried rice noodles. The easiest way to try them is at the night markets in the centre.
    Isan (Northeast Thailand)

    Isan (Northeast Thailand)

    Isan is Thailand's Northeast and the country's largest region: a vast, agricultural plateau bordered by the Mekong to the north and east. Touristically, it is less developed than the coasts and the north, and you'll less often get by with English.Culturally, the region is close to Laos. The spoken language is related to Laotian, as are its music, festivals, and cuisine. On the plate, you'll find Som Tam, Laab, and sticky rice, usually spicier than in Central Thailand.From the time of the Khmer Empire, several temple complexes are preserved in the south of the region, including Phanom Rung and Phimai. Additionally, there is silk weaving and its own festival calendar, such as the Rocket Festival at the start of the rainy season and the Candle Festival in Ubon Ratchathani.The cooler dry season from November to February is the most pleasant time to travel. From March to May, it gets very hot.

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