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    Surin

    Thailand

    Surin

    CityCulture

    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.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Thailand
    7. Isan (Northeast Thailand)
    9. 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.

    Sights in Surin

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    1Monument to Phraya Surin Phakdi (Chiang Pum)

    Bronze statue of Kui leader Pum, who as an elephant expert gathered people around him and founded Surin in the late 18th century. King Rama I made him the first governor. The 2.2-meter-tall figure holds an elephant hook, and carries two swords on its back. Every year on April 13th, the province lays wreaths here. Freely accessible.
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    2Surin National Museum

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    Essen & Trinken

    1

    Sleep Knock

    Restaurant in 2 12 Sirirut Road.
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    2

    Kuai Chap Phon Suwan (Branch 7)

    Restaurant in 3.
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    3

    Hakuzou

    Restaurant in 32000 349/3 Thanon Thetsaban 1.
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    4

    Sawasdee Surin

    Bar in 6.
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    Food and Beverages

    Surin serves Isan cuisine with Khmer influences: lots of sticky rice, grilled meats, fermented fish, and chili. You'll find mild dishes primarily at the Sino-Thai noodle shops. The greatest selection is at Talat Mai and the evening stalls in the center.

    Som Tum

    Papaya salad with lime, fish sauce and chili. In its Isan variant, with fermented fish sauce Pla Ra, it's significantly stronger and saltier than the version you get in Bangkok.

    Larb and Koi

    Minced meat salads with roasted rice grains, herbs and lime. Larb is cooked; Koi is traditionally served raw — the latter poses an infection risk and is not a good idea for travelers.

    Waxy rice

    Steamed in a bamboo basket and eaten by hand. In Isan, it's the staple food, not a side dish; it always accompanies grilled meats, dips, and salads.

    Kuay Jap

    Noodle soup with rolled rice noodles, crispy pork belly, and peppery broth. Several shops in Surin specialize in this — a mild breakfast dish.

    Sai Krok Isan

    Short, tangy rice sausages, fermented and grilled, with cabbage, ginger, raw chilies. Found at most stalls.

    Evening Stalls Downtown

    Around the clock tower and main street, food stalls set up nightly: Grilled skewers, papaya salad, Rotis, and juices. Cheap, quick, and no menu – just point to what's on display.

    Culture and History

    In Surin, alongside the Isan majority, live the Northern Khmer, whose language is related to Cambodian, and the Kui (also Suay), who speak their own language from the Mon-Khmer family. A Kui leader named Pum founded the city in the 18th century and became its first governor under Rama I.For generations, the Kui caught and trained wild elephants. With the end of elephant capturing and the timber industry, this work ceased, and many families moved to cities with their animals. Today, many elephants live with their families in Ban Ta Klang north of the city. You should not support riding and show programs.The second topic is silk. In the village of Ban Tha Sawang, sometimes four weavers work on one loom to create brocade patterns. From the 10th to the 13th century, the province was under Angkor's influence, and Prasat Sikhoraphum dates from this period.The Elephant Round-up usually takes place on the third weekend of November.

    Out & About Locally

    The center is small: the train station, market, and hotels are close together, and motorcycle taxis and Tuk-Tuks cover the rest.To Ban Ta Klang it's about 60 kilometers north. Songthaews run irregularly; a rental car or driver is more practical. The weaving village of Ban Tha Sawang is close to the city. You can also reach Prasat Sikhoraphum by train towards Ubon.Surin is located on the railway line from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani; buses and minibuses also run to Korat, Buriram, and Ubon. During the Round-up, hotels and trains are heavily booked, so book early.Border Region: The border with Cambodia was the scene of armed clashes in 2025, including in Surin province. Before any trip towards the border and to the Khmer temples on the border ridge, inform yourself at the German Federal Foreign Office.

    Accommodations in Surin

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    Nearby

    Buriram

    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.
    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.
    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.
    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.

    Sources & method

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