Buriram is a province located in the northeastern section of Thailand, in the lower part of the region known as Isan. The area, primarily rural and has Buriram town as its capital, borders Cambodia.
Rich history
Several sites from the Dvaravati and Khmer eras remain of Buriram’s rich heritage. The Khmer empire exerted its authority over the region for many centuries. In addition to constructing a large number of temples, the Khmer were responsible for the construction of highways that connected the various areas of their empire. Phanom Rung, the most significant Khmer temple in Buriram’s province, is depicted on the province’s official seal.
Khmer ruins
The province of Buriram is home to the remains of several ancient Khmer temples spread out over the region. To this day, they have been left in various states of preservation. Some have been returned to their former splendor, while others have been reduced to little more than a heap of laterite stones.
Phanom Rung
Phanom Rung, Thailand’s largest and most important Khmer temple, is built on top of an extinct volcano. The temple was constructed between the tenth and thirteenth centuries on the old path from the Khmer capital of Angkor Thom to Phimai, the location of another huge Khmer temple farther west in Nakhon Ratchasima. The majestic center sanctuary is reached via a 160-meter-long processional walkway. Phanom Rung is also known as the “stone castle” since the main cover is pink sandstone. The Thai Fine Arts Department has repaired Phanom Rung. The monument has been included in UNESCO’s tentative list of potential World Heritage Sites.
Muang Tum
Muang Tum is situated at the base of the hill, on top of which stands the Phanom Rung temple. Phanom Rung is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva built over a thousand years ago. The inner sanctuary comprises five sandstone towers on a platform and a library building with Hindu literature. The central tower, the tallest, has collapsed. The Thai Fine Arts Department has repaired the temple.
Ancient Khmer-era kiln sites
Ceramic goods were created in kilns at many sites in Buriram province around the 9th or 10th century. The Thai Fine Arts Department has excavated the sites. Visitors can see the excavated kilns covered by a modern structure and some of the unearthed ceramics at the Nai Chian kiln site and Sawai kiln site, which are located a few kilometers apart in the Ban Kuan area.
Wat Khao Angkhan
Wat Khao Angkhan is a peaceful, little-visited temple perched on the rim of an extinct volcano. The Wat Khao Angkhan dates back to the Dvaravati era (8th or 9th century). Several sema stones, sandstone boundary markers that delimit the sacred temple area, have been found here. The temple has buildings in a variety of architectural styles. Most of the structures that still stand today were built in the 1980s and beyond. The most impressive feature is a 29-meter-long golden reclining Buddha picture. Wat Khao Angkhan lies in the district of Chaloem Phra Kiat, about 10 kilometers south of Highway 24.
