🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Buriram sits in southern Isan, near the Cambodian border. For a long time it was a place people just passed through, until two things turned it into a destination. The first is the Khmer stone temples scattered around the province, led by Phanom Rung, which sits on the rim of an extinct volcano. The second is Buriram United and Chang Arena, plus the Chang International Circuit race track, which pull crowds in for football and racing all year round. If you grasp these few big-picture points first, planning your first trip gets a lot easier.
How to get to Buriram — pick by budget and time
Buriram is about 400-plus kilometres from Bangkok — not a day trip, so you'll stay at least one night. Choose how you travel based on your budget and how much time you have.
- Flying — the fastest option. Fly from Don Muang or Suvarnabhumi into Buriram airport in about 1 hour, with several flights a day. Good if you're short on time or want both days fully free. The airport is outside town, so you'll need onward transport into the centre.
- Train — board at Krung Thep Aphiwat Central (Bang Sue) and get off at Buriram station, right in the centre of town. It takes about 6–7 hours, with both rapid and special-express services. Many people take the overnight train to save a night's accommodation. Fares start in the low hundreds of THB.
- Coach — from Mo Chit (Northern Bus Terminal), with The Transport Co. 999 and private operators running all day. The trip takes about 6–7 hours and tickets run roughly 330–450 THB, dropping you in town.
- Driving yourself — about 5–6 hours from Bangkok depending on route and traffic. The upside is having your own car to reach the temples far from town with no need to rent again at the other end.
If you can't decide
Short on time and want both days fully free? Flying in and renting a car at the airport is the best value. On a tight budget and not in a rush? Take the overnight train and you'll arrive in Buriram first thing in the morning, saving on both the fare and one night's hotel.
Book the activities in your Buriram trip ahead
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
Getting around Buriram — transport really matters
This is what first-timers get wrong most often. Buriram's top sights are spread out far from town. Phanom Rung is about 60-plus kilometres away and awkward to reach by public transport. In Buriram you really want a vehicle one way or another.
- Renting a car to drive yourself — the most convenient way to do the temples. Prices start around 650–900 THB per day depending on the model and season, with rentals available both in town and at the airport. You'll need a driving licence, and book ahead during race or football weekends since cars sell out fast.
- Hiring a car with driver — good if you'd rather not drive or you're a group. A driver can loop Phanom Rung and Muang Tam in a single day. Agree the price and the stops clearly upfront.
- Renting a motorbike — cheap and fine for around town and Chang Arena, but riding all the way to Phanom Rung is long and hot, so plan your energy and fuel.
- Songthaew / hired pickup — some people have toured by songthaew, but it's limited and involves waiting around. Not ideal if you want to hit several spots in one day.
The main sights first-timers should know
Phanom Rung Stone Temple
A Khmer temple on the rim of an extinct volcano. You climb the naga staircase and a long processional walkway before reaching the sanctuary at the top — the defining image of Buriram. Four times a year the sun aligns to shine straight through all 15 doorways at once.
Prasat Muang Tam
A ground-level Khmer temple with L-shaped ponds set in all four corners and a beautifully intact gallery wall. It's only about 8 km from Phanom Rung, so the two pair up neatly in one trip. People often love how quiet and shady it is.
Chang Arena
Buriram United's home ground, seating over thirty thousand. On non-match days you can go in and take photos; on a match day the atmosphere from the fans is the real deal. This is the place that turned Buriram into a sports town.
Khao Kradong
A forest park on the rim of an extinct volcano near town, with a large standing Buddha (Phra Suphattharabophit) at the top. Climb the stairs or drive up for a wide view over town — a good stop in the late afternoon before sunset.
The sun through Phanom Rung's 15 doorways
The sun aligning straight through all 15 doorways happens four times a year, on dates announced by the Fine Arts Department. Generally the sunrise alignment falls around early April and mid-September, while the sunset alignment falls around early March and early October. It depends on the sky, so heavy cloud or rain can hide it. Check the exact dates for that year from the official announcement before you plan — crowds are huge, so you need to claim a spot before dawn.
Entry fees and opening hours to know
- Phanom Rung temple — about 20 THB for Thais, higher for foreigners. Open roughly 06:00–18:00. Come early while the sun is still gentle and crowds are thin; the staircase climb is easier too.
- Prasat Muang Tam — about 20 THB for Thais, with hours close to Phanom Rung's. You can continue here from Phanom Rung in the late morning.
- Chang Arena — viewing entry on a normal day is about 80 THB; on match days you buy a separate match ticket, so check the schedule first.
- Khao Kradong — free entry, open roughly 08:00–18:00. You can drive to the top or take the naga staircase.
Prices can shift
These temple and stadium fees are what you'll commonly find, but they can change with policy from time to time. Carry some cash — many spots in the area are still easier to pay for in cash.
How many days in Buriram is enough
Because the sights are spread out, most first-timers land on 2 days, 1 night. One day only lets you rush Phanom Rung and Muang Tam, or stick to town alone — not really worth the distance you came. 2 days, 1 night hits the sweet spot: you get the Khmer temples plus Chang Arena and Khao Kradong in town, with no rushing. That's what we'd recommend for first-timers. If you want to continue on to Surin or add more temples, bump it up to 3 days.
Our recommended first-timer plan — 2 days, 1 night
This plan is built for first-timers with a car. Day one pushes out to the Khmer temples far from town early, while the sun is still gentle. Day two takes the in-town sights at an easy pace before you head home. Reorder it to fit your own train or flight times.
Khmer temples: Phanom Rung & Muang Tam
In town: Chang Arena & Khao Kradong
Adjust for energy and season
This plan leaves room to trim. If you come during the 15-doorway sun alignment, swap things around to be at Phanom Rung before dawn or in the evening, per that day's window. If you're travelling with kids or older folks, lean on Muang Tam and Khao Kradong, which involve less walking, and skip Phanom Rung's long staircase in the strong sun. In the rainy season the temple paths get slippery, so take extra care.
Food first-timers shouldn't miss
- Kung jom from Prakhon Chai — the signature dish of Prakhon Chai district: fermented tiny shrimp with a sour-salty kick, eaten with fresh veg and pork belly. It's a local chilli relish that's hard to find elsewhere, and you can buy it to take home.
- Punchy Isan food — som tam, larb, koi, grilled chicken, grilled pork neck, all bold and properly Isan. Found all over town at friendly prices.
- Moo kratha — the popular dinner where Buriram locals meet up. Restaurants are everywhere in town, and you'll eat your fill without spending much.
- Old-school pork knuckle / noodle shops — the Nang Rong area and the town have old shops running for decades. They make a perfect stop on the way back from the temples.
Ready to go? See the full Buriram guide, or find a well-located place in town to stay the night.
See the full Buriram guide →