Explore Buriram

Buriram sits in Thailand’s northeast, in the Isan region, and it mixes ancient history, everyday farm life and some surprisingly big sporting events.

Phanom Rung is the centerpiece, a Khmer temple complex on top of an extinct volcano, with carved stone and big views. The rice fields around it show you what rural Thai life actually looks like. Football fans get Buriram United at Chang Arena, known as the Thunder Castle, and motorsport fans get MotoGP at Chang International Circuit.

I updated the PDF in November 2026. Temple fees and hours in it now match this page, and travel prices are still from January 2025.

Getting to Buriram

By air

Flying from Bangkok to Buriram Airport (BFV) takes about an hour and it’s the fastest way to get here. Flights typically ran $30 to $60 one way when I wrote this. The airport is about 40 km from the city, and there are taxis and shuttles for the trip in. Check current flights on Skyscanner.

By train

Buriram is on the State Railway of Thailand line from Bangkok. The trip takes 6 to 7 hours and costs 250 to 1,000 THB depending on the class, and you get a long look at the countryside. See the train schedule or buy tickets on 12Go.

By bus or car

Air-conditioned buses run regularly from Bangkok. The trip takes 5 to 6 hours and tickets run 300 to 600 THB. Find schedules and bookings on 12Go. A taxi from Bangkok is convenient but costs a lot more, about 4,000 to 6,000 THB.

Best times to visit

• Best weather: November to February, the cool season, around 20 to 28°C.
• Sun alignments at Phanom Rung: four times a year the sun lines up through all 15 doorways of the temple. Sunrise is around April 3 to 5 and September 8 to 10. Sunset is around March 5 to 7 and October 5 to 7. The exact days are announced each year, so check before you plan around it.
• MotoGP: the dates move from year to year. See the official MotoGP site.
• Football: Buriram United play home games at Chang Arena during the Thai League season. Check the club’s fixtures.

For the full year, see when to go to Thailand.

Historical wonders

Phanom Rung Historical Park

Phanom Rung sits on an extinct volcano and shows off what the Khmer Empire could build. It went up between the 10th and 13th centuries and stands for Mount Kailash, with carvings, a Naga Bridge and those perfectly lined up doorways.

Tourism Authority of Thailand open data, updated June 2025, lists it as open daily from 07:00 to 18:00, at ฿200 for foreigners and ฿20 for Thais. To get there, drive, hire a taxi or join a tour from Buriram.

Muang Tam Sanctuary

Prasat Muang Tam is a Khmer temple complex from the 10th and 11th centuries, dedicated to Shiva, with sandstone carvings and four lotus-filled reservoirs. It’s quieter than Phanom Rung and a lovely place to wander.

Tourism Authority of Thailand open data, updated June 2025, lists it as open daily from 06:00 to 18:00, at ฿120 for foreigners and ฿20 for Thais.

Natural beauty

Khao Kradong Forest Park

Khao Kradong is another extinct volcano, about 6 km from Buriram city. You get green trails around the old rim, a crater viewpoint, a suspension bridge and Phra Suphattharabophit, a big Buddha statue with views over the city.

When I wrote this it was open daily from 06:00 to 18:00 and free to enter. Drive, take a taxi or rent a motorbike. See it on Google Maps.

Farming life

This is the part of Buriram closest to my heart. My wife’s family has been farming here for generations, and every visit fills me with admiration for the hard work, the resilience and the community that make up life on the farm.

Farming here is more than a way of life. Neighbors come together to help each other during planting and harvest, sharing tools, meals and plenty of laughs along the way. That sense of looking out for each other is what makes farming in Buriram so special.

Thrills and excitement

Buriram United football

A Buriram United game at Chang Arena, the Thunder Castle, is electric. The fans bring chants and drums, and the whole thing is a mix of great football and real local pride. Even if you don’t follow football, it’s a fun night out. See the club’s website.

MotoGP

The Thailand Grand Prix has run at Chang International Circuit since 2018, and it’s a big deal for race fans from all over the world. High-speed racing with Buriram’s temples and rice fields just down the road is a hard combination to beat. Check the official MotoGP site for this year’s date.

Staying in Buriram

For budget and mid-range hotels, I’d start with Booking.com and filter by price. Airbnb has rooms, villas and whole homes if you want something more local.

A couple of places with more character:

• Phanomrung Hostel: a cozy stay in a peaceful village near Phanom Rung, with the Linn-chan Cafe on site.
• Baan BongPhaOhn Resort: a quiet retreat in a village, within walking distance of a fresh farmers market and local cultural activities.

Some links in this guide are affiliate links. If you book through them I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Buriram’s Isan food

A few of my favorites, and there’s more in the Thai food guide:

• Som tam (ส้มตำ): spicy, tangy papaya salad with chili, lime, fish sauce and palm sugar. Try it with fermented fish as som tam pla ra.
• Larb (ลาบ): minced meat salad, often pork or chicken, with lime, fish sauce, toasted rice and chili.
• Kai yang (ไก่ย่าง): marinated grilled chicken, usually with sticky rice and a spicy dipping sauce.
• Tom saap (ต้มแสบ): a hot and sour soup with pork or beef, lemongrass and lime leaves.
• Khao niew (ข้าวเหนียว): sticky rice, which goes with just about everything here.

Festivals and markets

The Phanom Rung Festival is held around the April sun alignment each year, with a procession up the hill, light and sound shows, Thai dance and music, and plenty of Isan food and crafts.

Buriram’s markets are where you see daily life up close:

• Buriram Night Bazaar: Isan street food, handmade souvenirs and live music.
• Walking Street Market: a weekly pedestrian street with fresh produce and handmade crafts.
• Fresh markets: traditional morning markets like Buriram Fresh Market, where locals buy their daily food.

Thanks for reading

Thailand changed my life, and that’s what got me building the Thailand Explorer app. Thanks so much for checking out my guide. I hope you get to see this part of the country for yourself.