Mini-Adventure to Buriram

[Big Boy]

At the end of my write up on my jaunt to Koh Samui, I stated that my next adventure would be to Buriram. A strange choice for somebody who dislikes Isaan I hear you say. You are 100% correct. However, one of my passions is football, and I love visiting new stadiums. I've lived here for over 10 years now, and I've never set foot in Thailand's premier stadium, The Chang Arena (a.k.a. Thunder Castle). Every year, when Ratchaburi play at Buriram, I always promise myself a visit, but it's a bit far for a day trip. Being determined to go, and wanting to have some mini-breaks post Covid, I decided it made sense to combine the 2, and take Mrs BB with me for a few days.

My DIL is from Buriram, and my son has been to her village a few times, but I think on their visits, they have seen the village, and nothing else.................. yuk. Been there many times on visits to Mrs BB's village. See one village, you've seen them all. If I ask them what else there is to see and do up there, I get fairly blank faces.

I will spend a couple of days in the area, and I'd love to know what there is to see and do up there. When I looked at Google Maps, I was amazed to see Siem Reap on the same page. Now Siem Reap was probably my favourite part of my Cambodian adventure a couple of years ago, so that looked promising. Further research tells me there are similar ruins in the Buriram area, so that is one visit I intend making - hopefully it will be at least semi wheelchair friendly.

Outside of the ruins, there seems to be the Chang Circuit, a shopping centre and beach???? I hate shopping, and wheelchairs don't do beaches

So, my question to you guys, to help my planning, and to work out my trip durations, what are the sights in and around Buriram please?

[buksida]

The ruins you mention are called Phanom Rung about 60km southwest of Buriram, went there years ago. Its the Thai version of Angkor Wat though nowhere near as impressive ... and not even Thai because it was built by the Khmer Empire and part of the same temple complex as Angkor (but don't tell Thais that as they think its theirs).

There's probably an inflated farang entrance fee though.

[Big Boy]

Thank you for that - I'll pay what it costs as a one-off i.e. it'll be negligible compared to cost of fuel, hotel, etc.

It was probably the last thing on your mind, but was it even semi-wheelchair friendly? The likes of Sukhothai has decent pathways around the ruins - I can always leave Mrs BB under a shady tree with a bottle of water while I explore. Failing that, TIT, there's bound to be a restaurant of some type where she can wait.

I guessed it would have some connection with Angkor Wat when I saw how close the sites were to each other on Google Maps.

Did you find much else to see and do in the area? My what to do enquiries keep throwing up the beach, and a shopping centre with a cactus garden. Nothing of any substance. I most certainly don't want to end up at my son's outlaws, visiting their village for most of my mini-trip.

[buksida]

I went 20-odd years ago and it wasn't wheelchair-accessible then but things may have improved ... maybe? Didn't spend time in the city as it was indistinguishable from any other homogenous Issan city.

[Big Boy]

That's the impression I'm getting about the city. It seems the only excursion my son ever made was to the football stadium (not on a match day), and even that was to eat at the multiple food outlets outside (same as you'd find inside any shopping mall).

I am not surprised regarding the wheelchair friendliness. That is something Thailand does not excel in. Even people friendliness is often lacking in many of their historical parks with uneven steps, uneven footpaths, lack of handrails, etc.
that could apply to most of the country, not just historical parks.

If it wasn't for the footie, I would not be going, and I'll keep the game to the final day, giving me something to look forward to whilst shopping, surrounded by cacti Seriously, if nobody can come up with any little gems, I'll probably book less hotel days, shortening the trip, but saving some cash at the same time.

[STEVE G]

I've been to Phanom Rung a few times and it's nice but definitely not wheelchair friendly as there is a long stone staircase from the entrance up to the temple.
As for Buriram city, I only went there a couple of times to take someone to the hospital but there didn't seem to be much there.

[joelle]

Friends of mine visited the following :
- the botanical garden and Buriram Castle Botanical Park and loved it.
According to the photos it looks wheelchair friendly.
- Huai Talat Reservoir with its birdpark which they found interesting
- the city moat which should, maybe, remind you of Khao Tao lake

[Big Boy]

the botanical garden and Buriram Castle Botanical Park and loved it.

HaHa, isn't that the shopping centre with the cacti?

Huai Talat Reservoir

I think that might be the location of the beach, but looking at Google search headlines, it looks to have a lot more to offer. However, I've clicked on several links but they won't load, or I get porn links . I will research further in slower time, thank you.

the city moat

Yes, thank you - that looks interesting, and even wheelchair friendly.

[joelle]

the botanical garden and Buriram Castle Botanical Park and loved it.

HaHa, isn't that the shopping centre with the cacti?

No idea, never been there myself but this is what my friends said, I quote:
《Buriram Botanical Garden...
Wedged between the circuit and the stadium, this little pearl of greenery and flowers enchanted us!
A pure feast for the eyes and the head.》

[Big Boy]

I guess all will be revealed soon

[joelle]

I guess all will be revealed soon

When are you going?

[Big Boy]

End of next month. The date of the match was announced yesterday as 25th November. I'm more excited about visiting the stadium than Buriram. It'll probably be a once in a lifetime visit, such are my feelings about Isaan, so tagging on a few extra days before the game makes sense. However, a site I read earlier said you can see everything there is worth seeing in a day. I'm not a Chinese tourist, so hopefully more than a selfie and move on, but my current feeling is 3 to 4 nights should be ample.

[Bamboo Grove]

I don't know if this will be of any help, don't even know when the site has last been updated. I've never been to Buriram myself but know some Finns who spend quite a lot of time there. Mostly enjoying quiet countrylife there.

https://www.tourismthailand.org/Search- ... attraction

[Big Boy]

Thanks BG. I will study that later.