🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
What makes this trip work is the contrast across three days. Day one is ancient Khmer stone temples on the rim of Buriram's extinct volcanoes — pink sandstone, long causeways, and views over the Isan plains. Day two shifts to people and elephants at Ban Ta Klang, a village that has raised elephants for generations. Day three closes the loop with small temples in Surin town and a silk-weaving village where locals still weave for real. The two provinces share the same Khmer heritage and the same elephant trail, so it all threads together neatly.
Before You Set Off
Driving yourself is by far the easiest way to do this trip, because the temples and the elephant village sit outside town in different directions, and public transport between them is slow and infrequent. If you don't have your own car, renting one or hiring a car by the day from Buriram town is much smoother. Bring cash for entry fees, merit donations and fuel too — plenty of stops still take cash only.
Day 1 — Buriram's Volcanic-Rim Temples
Day one focuses on the cluster of Khmer temples south of Buriram. Both Phanom Rung and Mueang Tam sit in Chaloem Phra Kiat and Prakhon Chai districts, about 60 km south of Buriram town. Phanom Rung is open 06:00–18:00 with a 20 THB entry for Thais, while Mueang Tam opens 08:00–18:00. Come a little early so you can walk up to the temple before the sun gets harsh — the causeway is long and there's not much shade.
Phanom Rung → Mueang Tam
Where to Stay Tonight
Staying in Buriram town for the first night is the most convenient, since it's close to restaurants and the evening market. Options range from budget hotels to places near Chang Arena. Pick somewhere central and dinner plus the walking street are an easy stroll. The next morning you can drive across to Surin.
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.
Day 2 — Crossing to the Elephants in Surin
On the second morning, leave Buriram heading east into Surin province. From Buriram town to Surin town is about 45–50 km, but the Ban Ta Klang elephant village lies further north beyond the town, in Tha Tum district — around 100 km total from Buriram. Set off a bit early, because the elephant shows run in scheduled rounds, usually at 10:00 and 14:00.
Buriram → Ban Ta Klang
What to Know About the Elephants
The elephant shows run in rounds and may be cancelled on some days, especially in the rainy season or when the elephants aren't up to it. Call the Elephant Study Center to check before you head out. If you want to see the most elephants, come during the Surin Elephant Round-up around November, with processions of hundreds of elephants — but accommodation fills up fast then, so book ahead.
Day 3 — Surin's Temples and Silk
On the last day you mop up the sights in and around Surin town before driving home. Sikhoraphum temple is the most beautiful and best-preserved Khmer temple in Surin, in Sikhoraphum district about 30 km from town. Ban Tha Sawang is a brocade silk-weaving village that once wove cloth for APEC leaders. Make it an easy half-day, then head back.
Sikhoraphum → Tha Sawang → Home
Don't-Miss Spots Across Both Provinces
Phanom Rung Temple (Buriram)
A Khmer temple on the rim of an extinct volcano, with a naga bridge and a long stone stairway up to the summit. The famous Reclining Vishnu lintel and the classic image of lower Isan that everyone comes to photograph.
Ban Ta Klang Elephant Village (Surin)
The Elephant Study Center — Thailand's largest elephant-keeping village. See how people and elephants have lived together for generations, with an elephant museum and scheduled shows.
Mueang Tam Temple (Buriram)
A flat-ground Khmer temple at the foot of Phanom Rung hill, ringed by ponds with neat rows of coiled naga. Leafy and easy to walk, it pairs with Phanom Rung in a single day.
Sikhoraphum Temple (Surin)
The best-preserved five-towered Khmer temple in Surin, with apsara lintels and lovely carvings. It's outside town and never crowded — good for a quiet walk around.
Khao Kradong Forest Park (Buriram)
An extinct volcano near town, with the large Phra Suphatbophit Buddha on the summit and a viewpoint over the town. Climb the naga stairway or drive up — it's where locals come to exercise.
Ban Tha Sawang (Surin)
A traditional brocade silk-weaving village that once wove cloth for APEC leaders. Watch the real looms at work and pick up silk as a souvenir — handwoven work by the locals.
Routes and Getting Around
- Bangkok → Buriram — about a 6-hour drive, or take the lower-Isan train line or a flight into Buriram airport, then rent a car to get around — easier than waiting on local public transport.
- Buriram → Phanom Rung Temple — about 60 km south, through Prakhon Chai district. Phanom Rung and Mueang Tam are about 8 km apart, so you can do both in a day.
- Buriram → Surin — town to town is about 45–50 km, under an hour, but the Ban Ta Klang elephant village is further north in Tha Tum district — around 100 km total from Buriram.
- Around Surin — Sikhoraphum temple is about 30 km from town and Ban Tha Sawang is in Mueang district. Your own car is the easiest option; budget for 80–120 km of driving a day.
- The way back — return from Surin, or double back to catch a train or flight from Buriram. Leaving in the afternoon helps you avoid long stretches of night driving.
Pace It Right
Don't cram in more than 3–4 stops a day, because the distances between sights in lower Isan are fairly long and driving yourself gets tiring. If you only have 2 days, trim it to Phanom Rung and Mueang Tam on day one, then cross to the elephant village on day two as your highlight. Save Sikhoraphum temple and the silk for next time.
Adjust the Plan to Your Style
History lovers
Go all in on the Khmer temples — Phanom Rung, Mueang Tam, Sikhoraphum, and add Ban Phluang temple too. Read the signage and the lintels in detail. Great for anyone into archaeology.
Family travel
Kids love the elephant village most, so give day two over to the elephants — feeding and photos. On day one, pick just Phanom Rung and Khao Kradong, where there isn't too much walking.
Football and food
If you hit a Buriram United match day, catch the game the first night at Chang Arena, do the temples by day, and pick up Buriram–Surin eats along the way.
Plan a full Buriram trip — see all the places to stay and things to do
See the Buriram travel guide →