Buriram Province
| Buriram บุรีรัมย์ | ||
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| Province | ||
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 Map of Thailand highlighting Buriram Province | ||
| Country |
 Thailand | |
| Capital | Buriram | |
| Government | ||
| • Governor | Seri Sihatrai (since 2014) | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 10,322.9 km2 (3,985.7 sq mi) | |
| Area rank | Ranked 17th | |
| Population (2014) | ||
| • Total | 1,579,248[1] | |
| • Rank | Ranked 5th | |
| • Density rank | Ranked 27th | |
| HDI | ||
| • HDI (2009) | 0.729 (medium) (45th) | |
| Time zone | ICT (UTC+7) | |
| Area code(s) | 044 | |
| ISO 3166 code | TH-31 | |
| Vehicle registration | บุรีรัมย์ | |
Buriram (Thai: บุรีรัมย์, rtgs: Buri Ram, pronounced [bū.rīː rām]) is one of the northeastern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from south clockwise) Sa Kaeo, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Maha Sarakham, and Surin. To the southeast it borders Oddar Meancheay of Cambodia. The name Buriram means city of happiness.
Geography
Buriram is at the south end of the Khorat Plateau, with several extinct volcanoes around the province. The southern limit of the province is a mountainous area at the limit between the Sankamphaeng Range and the Dângrêk Mountains.
History
About a thousand years ago, the area that makes up today's Buriram Province was under the Khmer Empire and many ruins remain from that time. The largest, standing on an extinct volcano, is in the Phanom Rung historical park. According to an inscription found there, its local ruler recognised the authority of the Khmer king. However, the area was remote and sparsely populated, and little is recorded about it until it the Bangkok Period of Thai history. In the early nineteenth century, Muang Pae, the largest town, acknowledged Thai sovereignty and was renamed Buriram. Following administrative reforms in the late nineteenth century, Buriram was formally incorporated into Thailand as a province with its own governor.
Culture
Festivals
Aside from important religious days, Songkran Day and New Year's Day, Buriram also has other local festivals such as the festival of the 5th lunar month when the locals make merit, bathe Buddha images and senior people, perform traditional sports such as Saba and tug of war. In some areas like Amphoe Phutthaisong, there is the Bang Fai traditional rocket dance, Khao Phansa, at the beginning of Buddhist Lent and Loy Krathong in the 12th lunar month. Some of the local festivals include:
Phrachao Yai Wat Hong Homage–paying Fair (งานนมัสการพระเจ้าใหญ่วัดหงษ์): Held in Amphoe Phutthaisong during the 14th day of the waxing moon to the 1st day of the waning moon in the 3rd lunar month of every year. It is a fair to pay homage to and for applying gold leaf on the Phrachao Yai, a highly revered Buddha image of the people of Buriram. The event lasts 3 days with numerous merit-making ceremonies and fun-filled activities.
Buddha’s Footprint Homage–paying Fair (งานนมัสการรอยพระพุทธบาทจำลอง): The event takes place at Khao Kradong, Amphoe Mueang, at the full moon of the 3rd lunar month. A large number of local people visit Khao Kradong to pay homage to a replica of the Buddha’s footprint and the Phra Suphattharabophit image whilst enjoying the big celebration.
Phanom Rung Fair (งานประเพณีขึ้นเขาพนมรุ้ง): Phanom Rung Sanctuary was once a sacred Hindu shrine which was later changed into a religious site for Buddhists. During the time it was deserted, a replica of the Buddha’s footprint was taken to be enshrined at Prang Noi. It has become a tradition for local people to climb up to the mountaintop to pay respect to the Buddha’s footprint and put gold leaf on it. Every year, on the full moon day of the 5th lunar month, there is an annual festival to pay respect to the site. Because Phanom Rung is a beautiful and important historical site, the province also organizes an annual festival on the first weekends of April when a colourful parade is held following ancient royal Khmer tradition as well as a sound and light show at the Phanom Rung Sanctuary.
Buriram Long Boat Races (ประเพณีแข่งเรือยาวจังหวัดบุรีรัมย์): It is organized annually on the first weekend of November when the Mun River is high. Oarsmen from Buriram and other nearby provinces would gather to join the boat racing which is held in front of Amphoe Satuek’s district office. Each year, there are about 40 to 50 boats in the competition. There is also a parade of fancy decorated boats during the event. Boat racing was once a traditional festival celebrated among friends and relatives to pay homage to Chaopho Wang Krut, a spirit named after a whirlpool in the Mun River. Since 1986, it has become a festival of the province.
Isan Kite Festival (งานมหกรรมว่าวอีสานบุรีรัมย์): Held annually at the sports stadium in Amphoe Huai Rat on the first weekend of December, or during the harvest season when the cold northeastern wind blows. At this time of the year, local people make "aek" kites, a traditional kite of the Northeastern people. Buriram Province organised the first Isan Kite Festival in 1986 to conserve and publicize the local tradition of the lower northeast. There is also a kite competition among the locals who come from the surrounding districts and villages. A kite to enter the competition must be more than 2.5 metres wide and it is judged for its beautiful design, the sound of the "aek"—a sound–making device attached to the kite—and the way it floats in the sky. During the event there are also colourful kite parades, folk performances, shows and booths displaying the local products.
Climate
| Climate data for Buriram | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high °C (°F) | 35.7 (96.3) |
36.0 (96.8) |
38.0 (100.4) |
39.0 (102.2) |
40.0 (104) |
37.0 (98.6) |
37.0 (98.6) |
36.6 (97.9) |
36.1 (97) |
35.0 (95) |
34.8 (94.6) |
32.0 (89.6) |
36.43 (97.58) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 11.7 (53.1) |
14.8 (58.6) |
19.2 (66.6) |
22.5 (72.5) |
23.5 (74.3) |
23.2 (73.8) |
23.2 (73.8) |
23.0 (73.4) |
23.1 (73.6) |
20.5 (68.9) |
16.5 (61.7) |
13.0 (55.4) |
19.52 (67.14) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 0.0 (0) |
52.5 (2.067) |
42.8 (1.685) |
37.0 (1.457) |
87.9 (3.461) |
186.8 (7.354) |
67.6 (2.661) |
243.5 (9.587) |
289.0 (11.378) |
121.5 (4.783) |
0.0 (0) |
0.0 (0) |
1,128.6 (44.433) |
| Source: http://www.buriram.go.th/ | |||||||||||||
Demographics
Buriram is one of the northeastern provinces with a sizable Northern Khmer population. Lao is spoken by most, but according to the most recent census 27.6% of the population also speak Northern Khmer in their everyday life.
Symbols
The provincial seal depicts Phanom Rung temple, an impressive Khmer-style Hindu shrine dedicated to Shiva. It was in use from the 9th through the 12th centuries, when the Khmer Empire's control of the region was ended by the Thais of Ayutthaya kingdom. The ruins are now preserved in a historical park.
The provincial flower is the Yellow Cotton Tree (Cochlospermum regium). The provincial tree is the Pink Shower (Cassia grandis).
The province's motto is the city of sandstone sanctuaries, land of volcanoes, beautiful silk, and rich culture.
Administrative divisions
The province is subdivided into 23 districts (amphoe). The districts are further subdivided into 189 subdistricts (tambon) and 2212 villages (muban).
Tourism
Sights
Lower Northeastern Cultural Centre (ศูนย์วัฒนธรรมอีสานใต้): The centre collects and exhibits artefacts and precious historical objects, folk art, and archaeological evidence. It is also the resource centre for conducting research.
The Monument of King Rama I (พระบรมราชานุสาวรีย์พระบาทสมเด็จพระพุทธยอดฟ้าจุฬาโลก): This was built in 1996 to honour King Rama I who founded the city of Buriram while he was serving as Somdet Phraya Maha Kasatsuek.
Khao Kradong Forest Park (วนอุทยานเขากระโดง): This extinct volcano is now a popular picnic site. The top is 265 metres above sea level and houses "Phra Suphattharabophit", a large Buddha figure that is the symbol of Buriram.
Kradong Reservoir (อ่างเก็บน้ำกระโดง): From the entrance to Khao Kradong, a junction on the left takes you to "Bunyanusat" boy scout camp and a zoo.
Huai Talat Reservoir and Buriram Bird Park (อ่างเก็บน้ำห้วยตลาดและสวนนกบุรีรัมย์): A survey found more than 100 species of birds lived in the area during the dry season, which lasts from November to April.
Phanom Rung historical park (อุทยานประวัติศาสตร์พนมรุ้ง): Prasat Hin Phanom Rung is a Hindu shrine dedicated to the God Shiva. On the occasion of the Thai Heritage Conservation Day in 1988, Phanom Rung Historical Park was officially opened by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on May 21.
Wat Khao Angkhan (วัดเขาอังคาร): Inside the temple compound are ruins of ancient buildings and sandstone boundary markers which date back to the pre-Khmer Dvaravati period. It is one of the most beautiful and important temples in the province.
Thung Laem Reservoir (อ่างเก็บน้ำทุ่งแหลม): This small reservoir site has been renovated into a recreational area with shelters for rest and relaxation. Many species of waterfowl can be found here during the dry season months.
Prasat Hin Mueang Tam (ปราสาทหินเมืองต่ำ): This is a Khmer-period sanctuary with outstanding architecture.
Ang Kep Nam Sanam Bin Non-hunting Area (เขตห้ามล่าสัตว์ป่าอ่างเก็บน้ำสนามบิน): The office is located on the left side of the road.
Stone Quarry (แหล่งหินตัด): This quarry was used by the ancient Khmer for construction materials when they built thei Hindu sanctuaries in the lower northeast.
Ancient Kiln Sites (แหล่งเตาโบราณ): Archaeologists found ancient kilns and ceramics during their surveys. The kilns date from the 9th-10th centuries and served as a production centre for Khmer ceramics supplying other cities.
Prasat Wat Khok Ngio (ปราสาทวัดโคกงิ้ว): It is a Khmer stone sanctuary located behind Wat Khok Ngio, and it once served as an "arogayasala" or a hospital.
Rao Su Monument (อนุสาวรีย์เราสู้): It was built in 1979 to commemorate the brave undertakings of civilians, police officers, and soldiers who lost their lives during battles with communists who obstructed the construction of this strategic route.
Lam Nang Rong Dam (เขื่อนลำนางรอง): An area under a royal project for security development. The Lam Nang Rong Dam is an earthen dam with an asphalt road along the crest with an expansive view.
Prasat Nong Hong (ปราสาทหนองหงส์): A small archaeological site comprising three prangs made from brick on a single laterite base.
Big Buddha Image (พระพุทธรูปใหญ่) or Phra Phuttharup Patima Santayaphirom Satuek Udom Ratsadon Nimitmanin, a big standing Buddha image on the bank of the Mun River, opposite the Satuek District Office.
Phrachao Yai Wat Hong (พระเจ้าใหญ่วัดหงษ์): An old Lao-style Buddha image in the posture of subduing Mara, which was built during the late Ayutthaya period, or around the 18th century.
Silk Weaving Village of Amphoe Na Pho (หมู่บ้านทอผ้าไหมอำเภอนาโพธิ์): A silk weaving village, especially "Mudmi" silk, which has received support for their development of skills, the standard of production, and their patterns and colours from the Royal Folk Arts and Craft Centre under the royal patronage of HM Queen Sirikit.
Ku Suan Taeng (กู่สวนแตง): Ku Suan Taeng is a Khmer architectural site, comprising three brick prangs lying from north to south, on the same laterite base.
Local Products
Buriram has several local products and souvenirs such as silk, cotton, sandstone carving, basketry, processed fish, pork leg of Amphoe Nang Rong, Chinese pork sausage and grilled chicken, preserved radish of Amphoe Krasang, shrimp, and krayasat (certain type of sweets).
Sports
The local Buriram United is currently the most successful football team in Thailand after sweeping all before them last season by winning the league, the FA Cup, the League Cup and reaching the last eight of the Asian Champions League.
A racing circuit, Buriram United International Circuit, is near the already impressive New I-Mobile Stadium situated just outside town.
Politics
Senators
- Karoon Sai-ngam (Thai:การุณ ใสงาม)
- Porn Penpas (Thai:พร เพ็ญพาส)
- Permpoon Thongsri (Thai:เพิ่มพูน ทองศรี)
- Surapong Painual (Thai:สุรพงศ์ ไผ่นวล)
- Oudsanee Chidchob (Thai:อุษณีย์ ชิดชอบ)
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Buriram Province. |
Buriram travel guide from Wikivoyage- Province page from the Tourist Authority of Thailand
- Local English Language News and Information Site
- Website of the Province (Thai only)
- Website of Buriram Province
Farang Community Forum: http://www.buriramexpats.com/forum/
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Khon Kaen Province | Maha Sarakham Province | | |
| Nakhon Ratchasima Province |  |
Surin Province | ||
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| Sa Kaew Province | Banteay Meanchey Province,  Cambodia |
Oddar Meanchey Province, Cambodia |
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Coordinates: 14°59′39″N 103°6′8″E / 14.99417°N 103.10222°E
References
- ↑ "Population of the Kingdom" (PDF). Department of Provincial Affairs (DOPA) Thailand (in Thai). 2014-12-31. Retrieved 19 Mar 2015.