Surin is world-famous for the Elephant Roundup and for its many Khmer sanctuaries and wide variety of handicrafts.
Surin is 457 kilometres from Bangkok and has an area of 8,124 square kilometres. It is divided into the following districts: Muang, Chumphon Buri, Tha Tum, Chom Phra, Prasat, Kap Choeng, Rattanaburi, Sanom, Si Khoraphum, Sangkha, Samrong Thap, Buachet, Lamduan, Si Narong, Phanom Dong Rak, Khwao Sinarin and Non Narai.
How To Get There
By Car
From Bangkok, take Highway No. 1 to Saraburi and Highway No. 2 to Nakhon Ratchasima, then use Highway No.226 to Surin via Buri Ram, a total distance of 457 kilometres.
By Bus
Buses depart from Bangkok's Mochit 2 Bus Terminal to Surin every day. Contact Transport Co.Ltd at Tel: 0 2936 2852-66 or visit www.transport.co.th for more information
By Rail
Regular trains depart from Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Railway Station to Surin every day. Call 1690, 0 2223 7010-20or visit www.railway.co.th for more information.
Festivals
Surin Elephant Roundup
Surin Elephant Roundup is held in the middle weekend of November. Visitors from around the world flock to see this grand national event. Shows include capturing elephants, a tug-of-war between elephant and men, an elephant soccer match, elephant dances, a parade, elephants at war, and cultural performances.
Prasat Ta Muean
This khmer santuary is 12 kilometres from Ban Ta Miang on Highway No. 214 on the Thai-Cambodian border. Prasat Ta Muan Tot has a square base made of sandstone, similar to those at Ban Phluang. Prasat Ta Muan Thom is 200 metres from Ta Muan Tot sanctuary. Situated near a stream, it consists of 3 pagodas with floral and idol designs. There are also 2 laterite buildings and a pool beyond them.
Ban Buthom Basketry Village
This Basketry Village is at Tambon Muang Thi on the Surin-Si Khoraphum road at Km. 14-15. When villagers are not harvesting, they make basketry from rattan to sell as household items and souvenirs.
Huai Saneng
Huai Saneng is a reservoir popular with locals who seek relaxation. It is 5 kilometres from Amphoe Prasat.
Phanom Sawai Forest Park
Phanom Sawai Forest Park is 14 kilometres away on the way to Amphoe Prasat and 6 kilometres on a road on the right. The park comprises 3 peaks and a large Buddha image in the meditation posture. The view from the top is quite spectacular.
Phraya Surin Phakdi Si Narong Changwang (Pum) Monument
This monument is dedicated to the first lord of the city. It is located at the southern entrance to the city in the area where the city's inner wall once stood. It was built in 1968.
Prasat Muang Thi
Prasat Muang Thi is 16 kilometres from Surin on the way to Si Khoraphum on Highway No. 226. Three square brick pagodas were part of five on the same base.
Silverware and Silk Villages
Silverware and Silk Villages can be reached by taking the Surin-Chom Phra road (No. 214) to Km. 14-15, then 4 kilometres to the right. These villages are Ban Khawao Sinnarin, Ban Chok and Ban Sado, all nearby one another. The beautiful silverware and silk products made here are sold to shops and tourists.
In addition, Chan Rom village at Km. 9 on the Surin-Sangkha Highway cultivates Indian mulberry for silkworms that are then used to produce ancient-style silk designs and colors. Basketry is also made here.
Wat Burapharam
Wat Burapharam is on Krung Si Nai Road near the provincial hall. It houses Luang Pho Phra Chi, a sacred Buddha image of the city. This old image was built during the Thon Buri period at the same time Surin was founded.
Prasat Ban Phlai
Ban Phlai sanctuary is at Tambon Chua Phloeng, 10 kilometres from the district office. This Khmer religious site consists of 3 brick buildings on the same laterite base with a moat surrounding them. The buildings were built around the 16th Buddhist century.
Prasat Ban Phluang
Ban Phluang sanctuary is at Km. 32 on the Surin-Prasat-Kap Choeng road. This Khmer religious site consists of 3 brick buildings on the same laterite base with a moat surrounding them. The buildings were built around the 16th Buddhist century.
Prasat Ban Phluang
Built around the 16th-17th Buddhist century. This small sanctuary has very detailed designs. The site is 4 pagodas on a rectangular laterite base. Each pagoda is square and made of sandstone with floral and human figure designs.
Prasat Ban Prasat Sanctuary
Ban Prasat Sanctuary is at Tambon Phlai, 5 kilometres from the district office on the way to Surin. The only remaining structure is the laterite wall and ancient pool, which is to the east of the site.
Prasat Phumpon
This khmer sanctuary is at Tambon Dom, 10 kilometres from the district office on the Sangkha-Buachet road. This is one of the oldest Khmer sanctuaries in the Northeast and was built around the 12th-13th Buddhist century.
Prasat Yai Ngao
This is a Khmer sanctuary beside Highway No. 24, 4 kilometres from the district office.
Prasat Si Khoraphum
Si Khoraphum khmer sanctuary at Tambon Ra-ngaeng at Km. 34-35 on Highway No. 226 is 5 pagodas on the same base. Each is about 30 metres high. Designs adorn the door columns and lintels. The site was built around the 17th Buddhist century.
Elephant Village
This elephant village at Ban Ta Klang on Highway No. 214 (Chom Phra-Ta Tum) can be reached by going to Km. 36 and left for 22 kilometres. The locals here are called the Suai people. They are skilled in capturing, training and raising elephants. An elephant museum here displays a complete elephant skeleton, its organs, tools used to capture elephants, elephant-raising techniques, and the history and development of Surin elephants.
