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AMPHOE BAN KRUAT
Ban Kruat is 66 kilometres south of Buriram. Historical sites in
this district are as follows:
 Quarry
This is 6 kilometres from Ban Kruat into the way to Lahan Sai. The
hill is littered with rocks large and small, 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
These ancient kilns constitute one of the most important pottery-making
centers of the ancient Khmer Empire. The kilns date from the 14th-19th
Buddhist century. The pottery made here was supplied to cities in
the empire. The Fine Arts Department has 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.
AMPHOE BAN MAI CHAIYAPHOT
Ku Suan Taeng
This khmer sanctuary at Ban Don Wai can be reached by using the
Buriram-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 17th Buddhist century.
AMPHOE CHALOEM PHRA KIAT
 Phanom
Rung Historical Park
This is a grand and majestic Khmer site over a thousand years old.
Built on an extinct volcano, it is originally a Hindu religious
site and later became a Buddhist one. During the 15th-18th Buddhist
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 are 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 is surmised that the pagoda, the stairway and
the Naga bridge were built during the 17th Buddhist 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 Buriram 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 Nakhon 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 an accommodation near the site.
Khao Angkhan Temple (Wat Khao Angkhan)
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.
AMPHOE HUAI RAT
Bird Park (Suan Nok)
This is a wildlife reserve at Huai Talat reservoir. To get there,
take the Buriram-Prakhon Chai road for 12 kilometres and take a
left-handed 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.
AMPHOE MUEANG
Khao Kradong Forest Park
This forest park is 6 kilometres from the city on the Buriram-Prakhon
Chai road (Highway No. 219). Khao Kradong is an extinct volcano
that is 265 meters high. The summit of the mountain has a pool which
is believed to be the mouth of the volcano. Around the area are
several plant species worth studying and Phra Suphattharabophit,
an important Buddha image of the province.
Lower Northeastern Cultural Centre
This cultural centre is in Buriram Rajabhat Institute. It has collections
and displays of artifacts and is a local archaeological, historical
and arts study centre. Exhibitions of the centre include:
- Geography, history and ancient community.
- Elephants and the culture of the Suai people, including tools
used in capturing elephants, items in elephant rituals and photos
of elephant corralling in the old days.
- Local woven clothes.
- Wall mural about the Twelve Month Ceremony of people in Northeast.
- Pottery and Chinese ceramics found in Buriram.
The centre is open from Monday to Friday from 09.00-16.00. It is
closed on weekends and holidays. For more information, please contact
tel. 0 4461 1221 ext. 159.
AMPHOE NONG DIN DAENG
Nong Hong Sanctuary (Prasat Nong Hong)
Prasat Nong Hong is another Khmer sanctuary about 100 kilometres
south of Buriram town near Laem Nang Rong dam. The sanctuary comprises
3 brick pagodas built on the same laterite base and surrounded by
a laterite wall and a moat. It dated from the 16th Buddhist century.
AMPHOE PAKHAM
Ban Khok Ngio Sanctuary (Prasat Ban Khok Ngio)
This stone sanctuary is 3 kilometres before Pakham, or 75 kilometres
from Buriram on No. 218 and 348. This ancient Khmer site is in Wat
Khok Ngio and it acted as a sort of local health office in ancient
times. King Jayavoraman VII ordered its construction in the 18th
Buddhist century.
AMPHOE PRAKHON CHAI
 Mueang
Tam Stone Sanctuary (Prasat Mueang Tam)
This 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 is made of sandstone
and is one long, narrow continuous corridor, called Rabiang Khot.
The outer wall is made of laterite. Lintels adorn 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.
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