Buriram Province

Infobox Thai Province
name = Buri Ram
thai = บุรีรัมย์
capital = Buriram
area = 10,322.9
arearank = 17th
population = 1,493,359
population_as_of = 2000
populationrank = 7th
density = 145
densityrank = 27th
isocode = TH-31
governor = Santhat Chattuchai
governor_since = April 2007
map

Buri Ram ( _th. บุรีรัมย์) is one of the north-eastern provinces ("changwat") of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from south clockwise) Sa Kaeo, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Maha Sarakham and Surin. To the south-east it borders Oddar Meancheay of Cambodia. The name Buri Ram means "City of happiness".

Geography

Buriram is located at the southern end of the Khorat Plateau, with several extinct volcanoes around the province.

History

Almost a thousand years ago the present- day Buri Ram area was evidently subdued to Khmer Empire as many ruins from that time are still visible there. The biggest of them on an extinct volcano is protected in the Phanom Rung historical park. According to the inscription found, her ruler recognized the hegemony of Khmer Empire's king.Before the foundation of Bangkok, little was known about her. From early Bangkok Period, in the early nineteenth century, the town originally called Muang Pae, was renamed 'Buriram'. Then she became under Thai rule. After the administrative reform in the late nineteenth century, Buriram was incorporated into Siam or late Thailand as a province.

Demographics

Officially, Thai is widely spoken while 42% of the population still speak northern Khmerdialect in everyday life.

ymbols

The provincial seal shows the Phanom Rung sandstone castle, a Hindu shrine of the Shivaite sect. The monument was in use from the 9th till the 12th century when the Khmer Empire was overthrown from Ayutthaya. It is now a historic park.

The provincial flower is the Yellow Cotton Tree ("Cochlospermum regium"), and the provincial tree is the Pink Shower ("Cassia grandis").

The provincial slogan is "The city of sandstone sanctuaries, the 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

ights

"Lower Northeastern Cultural Centre (ศูนย์วัฒนธรรมอีสานใต้)": The Centre collects and exhibits artefacts and precious historical objects, folk arts, and archaeological evidence. It is also the resource centre for conducting research. "The Monument of King Rama I (พระบรมราชานุสาวรีย์พระบาทสมเด็จพระพุทธยอดฟ้าจุฬาโลก)": The monument was built in 1996 to honour King Rama I who founded Buri Ram while he was serving as Somdet Phraya Maha Kasatsuek. "Khao Kradong Forest Park (วนอุทยานเขากระโดง)": It is now a relaxation spot which was once an ancient volcano. The top is 265 metres above sea level and it houses ‘Phra Suphattharabophit’ — a large Buddha image that is the symbol of Buri Ram.

"Kradong Reservoir (อ่างเก็บน้ำกระโดง)": From the entrance to Khao Kradong, there is a junction on the left side to ‘Bunyanusat’ boy scout camp and a zoo.

"Huai Talat Reservoir and Buri Ram Bird Park (อ่างเก็บน้ำห้วยตลาดและสวนนกบุรีรัมย์)": The survey found out that there are more than 100 kinds of birds living in this area, especially in the dry season from November to April. "Phanom Rung historical park (อุทยานประวัติศาสตร์พนมรุ้ง)": Prasat Hin Phanom Rung is a Hindu shrine dedicated to the God Siva. 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, 1988. "Wat Khao Angkhan (วัดเขาอังคาร)": Inside the temple’s compound, there are ruins of ancient monuments and sandstone boundary markers of the Dvaravati period. At present, it is one of the most beautiful and significant temples in Buri Ram.

"Thung Laem Reservoir (อ่างเก็บน้ำทุ่งแหลม)": It is a small reservoir which has been renovated into a recreational area with shelters to rest and relax. In the dry season, there are a lot of waterfowls inhabiting this reservoir. "Prasat Hin Mueang Tam (ปราสาทหินเมืองต่ำ)": It is one of the Khmer sanctuaries with the most outstanding architecture in Buriram.

"Ang Kep Nam Sanam Bin Non-hunting Area (เขตห้ามล่าสัตว์ป่าอ่างเก็บน้ำสนามบิน)": The office of the non-hunting area is located on the left side of the road. "Stone Quarry (แหล่งหินตัด)": The quarry is where sandstone was cut by ancient Khmer people for use as a construction material to build sanctuaries in the lower northeastern region. "Ancient Kiln Sites (แหล่งเตาโบราณ)": Archaeologists found ancient kilns and ceramics from surveys. The kilns date from around the 9th – 10th century and served as a production centre for Khmer ceramics to supply to other cities.

"Prasat Wat Khok Ngio (ปราสาทวัดโคกงิ้ว)": It is a Khmer stone sanctuary located behind Wat Khok Ngio, which 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 the battle with the communists who obstructed the construction of this strategic route. "Lam Nang Rong Dam (เขื่อนลำนางรอง)": It is the area under a Royal Project for security development. Lam Nang Rong Dam is an earthen dam with an asphalt road along the crest where one can see the view. "Prasat Nong Hong (ปราสาทหนองหงส์)": It is 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 is a big standing Buddha image on the bank of the Mun River, opposite the Satuek District Office.

"Phrachao Yai Wat Hong (พระเจ้าใหญ่วัดหงษ์)": It is 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)": It is a silk weaving village, especially ‘Mudmi’ silk, which has received support for the development of skills, standard of production, and pattern and colour from the Royal Folk Arts and Craft Centre under the royal patronage of HM Queen Sirikit. "Ku Suan Taeng (กู่สวนแตง)": Ku Suan Taeng is also a Khmer architectural site, comprising three brick prangs lying from north to south, on the same laterite base.

Local Products

Buri Ram has several local products and souvenirs such as silk, cotton, sandstone carving, basketry, and tasty processed fish, delicious pork leg of Amphoe Nang Rong, Chinese pork sausage and grilled chicken, preserved radish of Amphoe Krasang, tasty shrimp , and krayasat.

Culture

Festivals

Aside from important religious days, Songkran Day, and New Year’s Day, Buri Ram also has other local festivals such as festival of the 5th lunar month when the locals would make merit, bathe Buddha images and senior people, perform traditional sports such as Saba, tug of war, etc. In some areas like Amphoe Phutthaisong, there is the Bang Fai traditional rocket dance, Khao Phansa (the Beginning of Buddhist Lent), and Loi 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 and put the gold leaves on the Phrachao Yai – a highly revered Buddha image of Buri Ram people. The event lasts for 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, on the full moon day of the 3rd lunar month. A large number of local people would go to pay homage to the replica of the Buddha’s footprint and Phra Suphattharabophit image and enjoy 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 Buddhism. 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 ascend 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 there will be a colourful parade following ancient royal Khmer tradition, as well as a light-and-sound show at Phanom Rung Sanctuary. "Buri Ram Long Boat Races (ประเพณีแข่งเรือยาวจังหวัดบุรีรัมย์)": It is organized annually on the first weekend of November when the Mun River is high. Oarsmen from Buri Ram 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 - 50 boats joining 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 so 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 would make ‘aek’ kite – a traditional kite of the northeastern people. Buri Ram province organized the first Isan Kite Festival in 1986 so to conserve and publicize the local tradition of the Lower Northeast. There is also a kite competition among the locals who come from every district and village around there. A kite to enter the competition must be more than 2.5 metres wide and would be judged by its beautiful design, sound of ‘aek’ – a sound–making device attached to the kite, and the way it floats in the sky. There are also colourful kite parades, folk performances, shows, and booth display of local products during the event.

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

* [http://tourismthailand.org/destinationguide/list.aspx?provinceid=20 Province page from the Tourist Authority of Thailand]
* [http://www.buriram.go.th Website of the Province] (Thai only)
* [http://www.thailex.info/THAILEX/THAILEXENG/LEXICON/Buriram.htm Buriram provincial map, coat of arms and postal stamp]