BURIRAM
CITY OF CASTLES IN TWO ERAS
Buriram literally means the “ City of Happiness .” Situated in the lower part of Thailand ’ s North Eastern region , Buriram is home to more than a hundred ancient sandstone sanctuaries , stunning remnants of the area ’ s past glories . The significant discoveries made here include historical evidence of human habitation dating back to the prehistoric Dvaravati period , important Khmer pottery kiln sites , and “ Khmer ware ” pottery dating back to the 10th - 13th centuries , just after the decline of the ancient Khmer and Khmer civilizations .
In 1776 , King Taksin the Great appointed Chao Phraya Chakri as his general in a quest to defeat the rebels and join forces with Chao Phraya Surasi to control the armies of the northern provinces . They gathered inhabitants of nearby cities and established a colony called “ Muang Pae ,” and appointed ‘ Buriram ’, son of Phathai Saman ruler ( Phutthaisong ), as the first governor of the city .
Later , around the beginning of King Chulalongkorn ’ s reign ( King Rama V ), “ Mueang Pae ” was renamed “ Mueang Buriram ” and subsequently became a dependency of Nakhon Ratchasima . In 1933 , the organization of provincial administration officially regarded Buriram as a city .
Phanom Rung Historical Park
This is a grand and majestic Khmer site over nearly thousand years old . Built on an extinct volcano , it is originally a Hindu religious site . During the 15th-18th Buddhist century , several additions were made . It is located in Ban Tapek village , Ta Pek subdistrict , the historical park is one of the most beautiful and meaningful historical examples of Lop Buri art in Thailand . Phanom Rung sanctuary is located on top of an extinct volcano at 350 metres above sea level . The word “ Phanom Rung ” or “ Vnam Rung ” in the ancient Khmer language means “ a huge mountain .” This phrase appears in the Khmer inscription found at Phanom Rung sanctuary , also indicating the name of the sanctuary ’ s builder , “ Narendrathit ,” a descendant of the Mahidharpur dynasty , who was a relative of King Suryavarman II , the builder of Angkor Wat .
Phanom Rung sanctuary is dedicated to Lord Shiva , the supreme god in Hinduism , as well as being a symbol of the center of the universe . The sanctuary on the top of the hill and Phanom Rung sanctuary itself represent Mount Krailash , the residence of Lord Shiva . The sanctuary was built and renovated several times between the 10th and 13th centuries .
On the Thai Heritage Conservation Day occasion on 21 May 1988 , Phanom Rung Historical Park was officially opened by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn .
Open daily from 07.00 a . m . - 06.00 p . m . Entrance fees : 100 Baht . ( A joint ticket for visiting the Phanom Rung sanctuary and the Mueang Tam sanctuary is available at 150 baht .) For further details , contact , the Phanom Ruang Historical Park Office at Tel . + 66 4466 6251 to 2