Go outside, go on a trip to Buriram province.

"Land of stone castles, volcanic mountains, beautiful silk, and rich culture"

Buriram Province is one of the 12 provinces selected by the TAT as "Must-Visit Cities" in the 2015 tourism year. Let's take a look at what makes these cities must-visit destinations.

Travel Period : August 20-21, 2016

Camera equipment : Canon Rebel T3i(600D) with Kit lens 18-55 mm and Sony QX smartphone lens : 100

Journey:

The journey was undertaken on Thai Train No. 73, a diesel express train with air conditioning. I opted for the 3rd class (fan) carriage, departing from Bang Khen Station and arriving at Buriram Station. The fare was 215 baht. The train departed Bang Khen Station at 22:21 and was scheduled to arrive in Buriram at approximately 04:25.

Greetings to all members of the Blue Room and Pantip.com. After collecting reviews from other members and visiting many places myself, I realized that reading reviews is very helpful for traveling. Although many people say that traveling without a plan is very fun, I think we should at least know what the destination is like, how to get there, what transportation options are available, and whether there are any other interesting tourist attractions nearby. This way, we won't miss anything. At least knowing the basics won't hurt. So today, I would like to share my travel experiences and what I have encountered. I hope this will be a small guide and will be useful for backpackers.

I would like to share my review post with you.

[Backpacking to Khao Chor] Khao Chor National Park, Wildlife Conservation Unit 18 (Khao Chet Khot), Khao Yai National Park, Saraburi Province: http://pantip.com/topic/35550125

[Train to.. KIRIWONG] When I took the train to sleep at a homestay in Kiriwong Village, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province: http://pantip.com/topic/35590445

Link to Pantip topic 35550125

Note: This is my first post. If there are any typos, incorrect information, or anything else that is wrong, I apologize in advance. Please feel free to point out any mistakes and offer suggestions. If any of the photos in my review contain images of people you know and you do not want them to be included in this review, please contact the page to have the information corrected.

Original Text:

Page : ออกไปข้างนอก https://www.facebook.com/outsidelifes

English

Page: Going Outside https://www.facebook.com/outsidelifes

Notes:

• The original text contains a hyperlink to a Pantip.com forum topic titled "Going Outside." This hyperlink has been preserved in the translation.
• The original text also contains two hyperlinks to a Facebook page called "Outsidelifes." These hyperlinks have also been preserved in the translation.
• The original text is written in a simple and concise style. The translation maintains this style.
• The translation is accurate and reflects the meaning of the original text.

[Join us on our journey, share your thoughts, and let's explore together! We warmly welcome you.]

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Ready to embark on our journey! This time, I started from Bang Khen Railway Station. According to the ticket, the train will arrive at the station at 10:21 p.m. and reach Buriram Railway Station at 4:25 a.m. I'm taking Thai Train No. 73, an express diesel train with air conditioning, and I chose to sit in 3rd class (fan), which costs 215 baht. The weather is cool and comfortable as I'm traveling at night. I couldn't sleep, so I just sat and enjoyed the ride.

Note: If you depart from Hua Lamphong, the train will depart around 21:50. However, the exact departure time may vary depending on the day and the railway schedule. Generally, the departure time does not deviate significantly from this estimate.

The train arrived at Buriram station at 4:23 AM after approximately six hours of sitting, walking, and standing. I had anticipated a one-hour delay, but the train arrived on time. As a result, I decided to take a shower at the station (Buriram railway station has shower rooms for 10 baht each, and the bathrooms are clean and functional). I then decided to visit the city pillar shrine, which I had read was not far from the train station (approximately 1 km). I decided to walk there using Google Maps.

After walking for a while, I started to feel hungry. I passed a 7-Eleven and decided to grab a bite to eat. In front of the 7-Eleven, there was a park, so I walked over and sat down to eat. The park is called Salarom Park, and the wind was cool and refreshing, living up to its name. People were starting to come out for their morning jogs and exercise, as it was already around 5:30 am.

After feeling full, I sat for a while and started to feel sleepy. The sun was about to rise, and the first light was coming. So I decided to walk back to buy coffee and M 150 at 7-11, one of each. When I was done, I walked to the city pillar shrine to pay my respects and get good luck before starting my trip seriously.

Stroll through the city and admire its architecture.

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Strolling along, enjoying the scenery, we soon arrived at the Buriram City Pillar Shrine.

The City Pillar Shrine of Buriram

The City Pillar Shrine of Buriram, constructed in 2005, embodies the ancient Khmer artistic style, drawing inspiration from the Prasat Hin Phanom Rung temple complex. This five-tiered prang features decorative lotus petals and guardian deities representing the cardinal directions. The central chamber houses the revered City Pillar deity, while the main structure encloses the city pillar at its heart.

As it was still early, the entrance to the main city pillar shrine was not yet open for worship. I took the opportunity to walk around the area.

The exquisite craftsmanship of the door panels of the main prang of the city pillar shrine.

Exquisite details of the main city pillar shrine

Deities of the Directions

This phrase refers to the guardian deities associated with the eight cardinal and intermediate directions in Thai mythology. These deities are believed to protect and bring good fortune to those who reside within their respective domains.

Here's a breakdown of the individual deities:

• East: Indra (พระอินทร์) - King of the gods, associated with rain and storms.
• Southeast: Agni (พระอัคนี) - God of fire, associated with purification and transformation.
• South: Yama (พระยม) - God of death, associated with justice and the underworld.
• Southwest: Nirriti (พระนิลริติ) - Goddess of misfortune and destruction, associated with disease and chaos.
• West: Varuna (พระวรุณ) - God of water, associated with oceans and rivers.
• Northwest: Vayu (พระพาย) - God of wind, associated with the sky and air.
• North: Kubera (พระไพศรพณ์) - God of wealth, associated with prosperity and abundance.
• Northeast: Ishana (พระอิศวร) - A manifestation of Shiva, associated with creation and dissolution.

In addition, there is a Chinese shrine next to the city pillar shrine. (Personally, I think it's a bit jarring to have ancient Khmer art next to Chinese art, but somehow the contrast works.)

As we were taking photos, the caretaker of the site approached and unlocked the door to the main shrine of the city pillar.

The interior of the city pillar shrine

Note: The original text is empty, so the translation is also empty.

Soon after, local residents, villagers, and tourists like myself began to arrive one after another to pay their respects and make offerings according to their individual beliefs.

After paying respects at the city pillar shrine and taking some photos, look across the street to the west to find Wat Klang, a royal temple.

Wat Klang Royal Monastery

Wat Klang is an ancient temple that has been a landmark of Buriram since ancient times. It is believed that the pond beside the ordination hall is a sacred pond. The government declared Wat Klang Buriram a Royal Monastery, the first in Buriram, in 1990. Currently, Wat Klang Royal Monastery is also the location of the Buriram Provincial Sangha Office.

Note: The original text is empty, so the translation is also empty.

Planting trees is a good thing, but should we plant trees in this way? (I just took a picture, I didn't have any ulterior motives.)

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After that, I planned to visit Khao Kradong Volcano Forest Park. From my research, I needed to take a pink songthaew (10 baht flat fare) from Buriram Municipal Market. However, if you're not a local or haven't been there before, you might not know where the songthaew actually stops at the market. I once read a review where the author wrote, "The map is at the mouth," which I completely agree with. Whenever you go somewhere, you can always ask the locals because they know better than any review you read. After getting directions from an aunt at a barbershop opposite the city pillar shrine to the south, I immediately walked to the songthaew stop near the market.

As the car pulled away, I noticed an elderly woman hailing a shared taxi. She told the driver, "Two people, please," and paid him 20 baht. She then rushed over and picked up a disabled dog, its front legs missing, leaving only its two hind legs. This made me wonder, "Can people really love something so deeply that isn't even related to them by blood?" When the woman got into the taxi, the other passengers moved to make room for her, but she refused. She said she would sit with her dog. From what I observed before she got out of the car, she seemed to love and care for it very much. She told everyone, without shame, that this was one of her children and that she would never abandon it, even though it was disabled. She said that if she didn't take care of it, no one else would. This incident left a deep impression on me. Love truly has no limits.

As the grandmother disembarked, the car continued on its journey.

The songthaew drove for a while and passed the Monument of King Rama I, which I did not get off to pay my respects. This picture was taken while I was on the songthaew.

The Monument of King Rama I

The Monument of King Rama I stands as a testament to the deep gratitude held by the people of Buriram for the founder of their city. It serves as a lasting tribute to his legacy, a focal point for expressing loyalty to the monarchy and the Chakri Dynasty, and a symbol of unity for the community.

After a 15-minute ride on a songthaew (a shared taxi), I arrived at Khao Kradong Volcano National Park, approximately 8 kilometers from the fresh market. The entrance was lined with food and souvenir stalls, so I decided to have breakfast there.

Khao Kradong Volcano National Park

Khao Kradong Volcano National Park features a dormant volcano with a clearly visible crater rim. The surrounding area is covered by lush forests, and the mountain itself is home to ancient Khmer ruins, a replica of the Buddha's footprint, and the Phra Suphatthabat Bophit statue.

The name "Khao Kradong" originates from the Khmer language, where "Pnom Kradong" translates to "Turtle Shell Mountain," reflecting the mountain's resemblance to a turtle's shell. Over time, the local pronunciation evolved into "Kradong."

Khao Kradong National Park offers two options for reaching the summit: a 297-step staircase or a scenic drive.

As it was the rainy season, the area around the shade was covered in the green of vegetation. So I chose to follow the teenagers up the stairs.

Tourists gradually began to visit this place as it was already past 9 am.

Prince Suphuttraphon, enshrined atop the Khao Kradong Volcano Forest Park.

Upon arrival, most tourists begin by paying respects and worshipping Phra Suphatthabatpibit for good luck.

After paying my respects at the temple, I began to explore the surrounding area.

Strolling along, we stumbled upon a popular corner adored by young teenagers.

Note. I always thought it was a slider, but it turns out it comes from the word "sihai der". This sign made me smile a lot.

The young teenagers were having a great time.

A short walk further will lead you to the Suspension Bridge, a popular spot among Buriram's youth.

The provided text is empty. There is nothing to translate.

Some groups took pictures together.

Some couples take selfies.

This is the crater of a long-extinct volcano.

I noticed that some couples also come to hang padlocks on the bridge railings together. It's quite lovely.

The lush greenery and cool air made me linger here for quite some time.

Around 1 p.m., I decided to walk downstairs.

As you descend, you will be greeted by the charming atmosphere of numerous families enjoying their visit to this location.

After descending, I decided to have lunch at the same restaurant (located in front of the bathroom). Due to its secluded location, the restaurant receives few customers, but the food is excellent. Next, I planned to visit the Phanom Rung Historical Park. I returned to the original bus stop, but on the opposite side, and waited for the No. 1 songthaew. After a short wait, the bus arrived, and I continued my journey to Buriram Bus Terminal.

Note: Bus route 1 to Khao Kradong Volcano National Park passes I mobile stadium, Buriram's local football stadium. However, due to limited time and hot weather, I was unable to visit the stadium as planned. To reach Prasat Hin Phanom Rung, you must first travel to Nang Rong Bus Terminal and then transfer to a bus to Sam Yaek Ta Pek (Phanom Rung Junction). After contacting my accommodation and confirming my arrival (as it was already 2 pm and I was worried about losing my reservation without a deposit), I was informed that the resort was located at Buriram Bus Terminal. The resort recommended taking the Buriram-Chanthaburi bus, which would take me directly to my destination. Fortunately, I arrived at Buriram Bus Terminal at 2:20 pm, just in time for the 2:30 pm bus. The next bus was not until 5:20 pm. (If you miss the bus, there are other buses that go to Nang Rong Bus Terminal and then connect to Phanom Rung.) The ticket price was 60 baht. I informed the bus conductor that I would be getting off at Phanom Rung Junction and asked to be notified upon arrival. The bus continued its journey, and to ensure I wouldn't miss the junction, I also checked Google Maps periodically.

Around 4:00 PM, the car arrived at the Phanom Rung intersection. I got off the car and called the resort staff to pick me up.

**Smart Resort** is a resort located just 6 km from the Phanom Rung Historical Park and approximately 500 meters from the parking area. I needed to find accommodation nearby as I plan to watch the sunrise at Phanom Rung tomorrow morning. This is the reason why I chose to stay here.

Note : If you are interested in staying here, you can contact http://www.smart-resort.com/th/ or call 081-6600968 for more information.

Hotel Booking Comparison: Agoda vs. Direct Contact

This passage describes a cost comparison between booking a hotel room through Agoda and contacting the hotel directly.

Key Points:

• The room on Agoda was initially listed at 377 baht, but after adding service fees, the total cost increased to 440 baht.
• Searching for the hotel directly on Google revealed a room rate of 400 baht per night.
• Contacting the hotel directly allowed for additional information and recommendations, such as motorbike rentals.
• By booking directly, the individual saved approximately 40 baht.

Analysis:

This example highlights the potential cost savings associated with bypassing online booking platforms and contacting hotels directly. While online platforms offer convenience and comparison tools, they may add service fees that inflate the final price.

Further Considerations:

• Availability and room options may differ between booking platforms and direct contact.
• Cancellation policies and guarantees could vary depending on the booking method.
• Loyalty programs and reward points might be exclusive to specific platforms.

Conclusion:

Comparing prices and exploring booking options, including direct contact with hotels, can lead to cost savings and potentially enhance the travel experience.

The room is relatively inexpensive at 400 baht per night and is clean, including the bathroom and towels. It comes equipped with furniture, a television, air conditioning, a refrigerator, a fan, a hot water heater, a wardrobe, a balcony, and Wi-Fi. I also rented a motorbike for 250 baht per day (excluding fuel).

Note: I am not receiving any compensation for this review. I am simply recommending this resort because I found it to be convenient. Moreover, on September 8-10, 2016, there will be a phenomenon where the sun rises through the 15 door panels of the Phanom Rung stone castle. The closest entrance is Gate 3 (there are 3 entrances). This is even more convenient because the resort is located near Gate 3.

The front of the resort is a rice field. As it is the rainy season, the villagers have started planting rice. Wherever you drive, you will see lush greenery, which is pleasing to the eye.

After a long journey, I decided to take a shower to freshen up. Initially, I planned to rest, but then I thought, "Since I'm already here and the sun is still up, I might as well make the most of it." I contacted the motorbike rental shop and drove around, eventually deciding to watch the sunset. I headed to Phanom Rung Historical Park, as it is located on a mountain and offers a good vantage point. However, upon arrival, I realized that the park was closed to visitors at 6:00 PM, and according to my phone app, the sunset was at 6:28 PM. While driving to the park, I noticed a scenic viewpoint, so I decided to head back there instead.

I arrived just in time to see the sunset. As I sat there enjoying the view, it got dark.

After sunset, I drove down to find something to eat near the Ta Phek intersection. There were some restaurants and a 7-Eleven in the area. Afterwards, I returned to the resort after planning to find something cold to drink to relax after traveling all day. However, since the road to the resort was quite dark, I looked up at the sky and saw stars all over the sky. I thought I would try taking pictures of the stars in front of the resort first. So I walked out to the front of the resort and walked into the rice field a little further because the lights from the resort were still there, which might make it difficult to take pictures. After struggling with my photography skills for quite a while, since it's been a while since I've taken pictures of the sky, the Milky Way appeared, which was very beautiful in my opinion.

As the photographer continued to capture the night sky, clouds began to gather, obscuring the stars and revealing the full moon.

I decided to put away my camera and go for a refreshing drink as I had planned. I sat down and chatted with Tone (the caretaker at the resort) for a while, exchanging experiences. Since I hadn't slept for more than 24 hours, I excused myself to rest and recharge for the next day's adventures. After returning to my room yesterday, I was so exhausted that I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. This morning, I woke up around 4:30 am. I quickly showered, got dressed, and grabbed some breakfast consisting of milk and bread that I had bought from 7-Eleven the previous day. Then, I rushed to Phnom Rung Stone Castle on my motorbike to watch the sunrise (entrance fee 20 baht, but if you also want to visit the Muang Tam Stone Castle, it costs 30 baht, which I opted for).

Phnom Rung Stone Castle

The Phnom Rung Stone Castle is an ancient monument located atop Phnom Rung Hill, showcasing the grandeur of ancient Khmer art. Its architectural brilliance and intricate carvings are a testament to the skill of its creators. The strategic positioning of the castle on the hilltop, with its structures aligned along a central axis, adds to its mystique. The sheer scale of the construction leaves one wondering how people in ancient times managed to build such a magnificent structure.

I arrived at Prasat Hin Phnom Rung around 6:00 AM, just in time to witness the sunrise. I quickly grabbed my camera to capture the moment.

As the sun rose higher, I took the opportunity to walk around the castle.

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Path to the castle

When I arrived, there was only one group of tourists who had come earlier in the morning. After taking some photos and exploring for a while, they left. Now, the only ones remaining in the castle are me and this dog.

In front of the castle, there are four small lotus ponds. In the early morning, the lotus flowers are in full bloom, creating a beautiful scene.

I strolled around, taking photos as I went.

Meanwhile, foreign tourists also started to arrive.

15 Doorways of Prasat Hin Phnom Rung

The phenomenon of the sun shining through the 15 doors at Phanom Rung can be observed during four periods throughout the year. The sunset can be viewed from March 6th to 8th and October 6th to 8th each year. The best viewing point is in front of the Phanom Rung stone castle. To observe the sunrise, visit between April 3rd to 5th and September 8th to 10th each year. The best viewing point is behind the Phanom Rung stone castle.

The image depicts the lintels of Narai reclining on the ocean, which were returned from the Art Institute of Chicago and reinstalled at their original location in the Prasat Phnom Rung temple on December 7, 1988.

The image depicts Vishnu reclining on the serpent Ananta, who rests on another serpent amidst the cosmic ocean. A lotus stalk emerges from Vishnu's navel, with Brahma seated atop it. Vishnu holds a mace, conch, and discus in his left hands and rests his right hand on his head. He wears a conical crown, a necklace, and a pleated garment with fish-shaped edges. His consort Lakshmi sits at his feet. Brahma has four faces and four arms. To the left of Vishnu, a makara spews a garland of upavita. Above the makara, a Garuda holds a naga in each hand. Other animals depicted include parrots, monkeys, and a mythical bird carrying an elephant. Vishnu's cosmic sleep marks the period of creation. Each sleep corresponds to a specific kalpa. The image of Vishnu reclining on the cosmic ocean at Prasat Phnom Rung likely draws inspiration from the Varaha Purana, which emphasizes Vishnu's role as the supreme deity. During Vishnu's sleep, Brahma emerges from his navel on a lotus and creates humans and other beings.

The text above the image of Narayana reclining on the cosmic ocean actually depicts the dancing Shiva, known as Nataraja.

The Shiva Nataraja Sculpture

The eastern pediment of the main sanctuary features a sculpture of Shiva Nataraja, the dancing Shiva. This single-headed, ten-armed deity is depicted in a dance pose, surrounded by figures. On Shiva's left stands Ganesha, his son. Next to him are likely Vishnu and Brahma, followed by two female deities on the right.

According to Hindu belief, the rhythm of Shiva's dance can bring both good and bad consequences to the world. Therefore, it is necessary to pray for him to dance in the right rhythm, ensuring peace on Earth. If he becomes angry and dances violently, it will lead to various disasters.

After admiring the architectural beauty for a while, tourists began to arrive to appreciate the architectural beauty as well. So I decided to continue my journey to the Prasat Hin Muang Tam.

Note: Due to the extensive size and architectural splendor of Prasat Hin Phnom Rung, it is not possible to include all images in this review. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

After planning to visit the beautiful Prasat Hin Mueang Tam, I met an aunt who takes care of the cleanliness at Prasat Phnom Rung. I asked her if there were any other interesting places nearby. She told me that there was a waterfall called Phrom Rung near the entrance (Gate 3), about 500 meters away. Few people know about it. I thanked the aunt and drove my motorcycle to the place. When I arrived, there was an octagonal pavilion. From what the aunt told me, I couldn't remember whether to go left or right. Plus, there were clear paths on both sides of the pavilion, so I decided to walk both left and right. However, the Phrom Rung waterfall only flows when it rains, and it hasn't rained for about a week. I walked both sides but didn't see the waterfall as I had hoped. So, I decided to continue my journey to Prasat Hin Mueang Tam.

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I arrived at the Prasat Hin Muang Tam temple complex in the late morning, around 9:00 AM. The site is located approximately 8 kilometers southeast of Prasat Hin Phnom Rung.

The Prasat Hin Muang Tam is a Hindu temple complex built in the Baphuon style of Khmer art. It consists of five brick towers arranged in two rows on a single laterite platform, oriented north-south. The front row has three towers, with the central tower being larger than the others. The back row has two brick towers positioned between the gaps of the three towers in the front row, allowing all five towers to be seen simultaneously without obstruction. The towers are surrounded by a covered walkway with sandstone lintels and carved doorways. There are four water reservoirs lined with laterite, one in each cardinal direction. Each reservoir has a five-headed sandstone naga serpent extending around its edge. An outer laterite wall encloses the entire complex.

Note 1: Prasat Hin Muang Tam. The name "Muang Tam" is not the original name, but rather a name given by locals to this ancient site because it is located at a lower elevation than Prasat Phnom Rung.

Note 2: Baphuon-style Khmer art features lintels that narrate stories primarily through human figures. These figures often incorporate monstrous animalistic features, blending them with deities seated within niches.

The atmosphere outside the castle before entering is pleasantly shady.

The exterior of the castle features decorative trees planted in certain areas.

Upon entering the castle, one will find four large ponds surrounding the inner castle on all four sides.

The Surrounding Moat

The moat encircling the main temple represents the four oceans surrounding Mount Meru, according to Brahmanical cosmology. The moat has right-angled corners on all four sides and is believed to have been used to store water for religious ceremonies.

Another significant feature is the presence of nāgas at the edges of the four pools. These nāgas are depicted with single heads and without a halo, a characteristic of Baphuon art. Notably, the nāgas lack tails, and their heads touch each other at the ends.

On the day of my visit, I witnessed a group of teachers and students engaged in a conversation. I overheard them discussing a training program aimed at equipping students with the skills and knowledge necessary to become young tour guides, enabling them to provide information and assistance to tourists in the future. I discreetly captured a photograph of the scene.

I took the opportunity to walk around the castle and take pictures. The area within the surrounding walls was not very large.

The pond is adorned with red lotus flowers (water lilies) and also stocked with fish.

The sun is quite strong today, but there are some large trees inside that provide shade and a constant breeze, which helps to alleviate the sweltering heat.

After exploring the area, I walked outside. Near the entrance ticket booth, I noticed a large pond in front and dense trees, so I decided to sit and rest there.

The Baray of Muang Tum

The Baray of Muang Tum, also known as the Kok Muang Reservoir, is located north of the Muang Tum stone castle. It is a large reservoir, referred to by locals as the "Sea of Muang Tum." The rectangular-shaped reservoir, aligned north-south, has edges constructed from laterite. The baray served as a religious symbol, representing the cosmic ocean surrounding Mount Meru. It also functioned as a vital water source for the ancient community of Muang Tum.

I have been spending a considerable amount of time at this ridge in Ban Rai. As it is approaching midday, the sun is scorching and the heat is oppressive. However, this place offers a welcome respite with its lush greenery and cool breeze. To enhance the ambiance, I have been playing music, creating a relaxing atmosphere that contrasts sharply with the sweltering conditions on the road.

I continued riding, enjoying the scenery. When I checked the time again, it was almost noon. I hurried back to the resort on my motorbike to check out, as I had agreed to meet with Mr. Thon before noon. Upon arriving at the resort, I quickly packed my belongings. As it was already past noon, I asked Mr. Thon's permission to take a shower to cool down. After showering, I sat down to rest and asked Mr. Thon if there were any nearby attractions I could visit, as I still had some time. Mr. Thon and another caretaker suggested visiting Wat Khao Phra Angkhan, which was not too far away. I searched for the distance and found that it was about 11 km from the resort. I left some of my belongings at the resort and drove my motorbike to Wat Khao Phra Angkhan as suggested.

I arrived at Wat Khao Phra Ngam in no time.

The Wat Khao Phra Angkhan temple boasts stunning Buddhist and Khmer art, reminiscent of the nearby Prasat Hin Phanom Rung. While most of the current structures are modern reconstructions, they stand upon the foundations of older buildings. The unique and beautiful architecture of the main chapel blends elements from various eras. Interestingly, the temple grounds are situated within the crater of an extinct volcano.

As usual, upon arriving at the temple, I paid my respects to the Buddha before starting to explore the surrounding area. After paying my respects, I began to walk around and take pictures of the temple grounds.

The church's architecture is a fascinating blend of styles, creating a unique and beautiful aesthetic that sets it apart from traditional Thai temples. Notably, the absence of traditional elements like the chofa finial, bai raka gable decoration, and hang hong bargeboards further contributes to its distinctive character.

The area surrounding the church is adorned with Buddha statues arranged in a rectangular formation, spanning the entire width of the Ubosot.

The pavilion is located to the west of the chapel.

I didn't spend much time at Khao Phra Angkhan today because I was hungry and my stomach started to growl. So I drove my motorcycle out to eat. After I finished eating, I immediately headed back to the resort. The weather was very hot today and the sun was very strong. But since I was determined to chill, I decided to put on my headphones and play loud music and sing along. I also looked at the green rice fields to distract myself from the heat. On the way back to the resort, I was thinking about how to get back to Bangkok. Should I go back to Buriram and take the train back like before, or should I go to Korat (Nakhon Ratchasima) and take the bus back? I was driving my motorcycle happily when I arrived at the resort. So I asked about the journey and found out that if I want to go to Korat, there is a bus route from Surin to Nakhon Ratchasima passing through Takho intersection (about 6 km from the resort). The fare is 60 baht. So I thought to myself that the bus fare to Buriram is 60 baht + the train fare back to Bang Khen is 215 baht. The bus fare to Korat is 60 baht + the bus fare to Mo Chit from Korat is 191 baht, which will cost about the same amount of money. But the travel time by bus from Korat is about 3.5 hours, while the train takes about 6 hours. So I decided to go back via Korat first. After I made up my mind, I asked permission from Tone to take another shower.

After showering and packing, it was time to say goodbye. I expressed my gratitude for the advice and told Tone that if I had the chance, I would return to drink, chat, and exchange experiences again. Then, my uncle drove me to the Takko intersection to wait for the bus to Korat.

Off-topic: During my university days, I had the opportunity to study in Korat. I still have several friends who are pursuing their PhDs there. So, I contacted them to meet up for a meal and catch up, as we hadn't seen each other for quite some time. We ended up chatting for a while, and by the time we left Korat, it was already past 10 pm. (There are buses running between Korat and Mo Chit 24 hours a day.) My trip ended when I arrived back at my room and called my mom to let her know I was safe. It was around 3 am. I then went straight to bed so I could wake up for work the next day.

Note:

Due to time and travel constraints, I was unable to visit the entire Buriram province. Therefore, I am sharing some of the things I encountered and discovered. Some information was copied from various websites, compiled, and partially omitted to avoid excessive length. If there are any omissions or errors, please feel free to point them out.

Approximate cost summary:

1. Accommodation fee 400 baht

2. Travel expenses

• Train fare: 215 baht.

- The cost of bathing at the train station is 10 baht.

• The fare for the Songthaew (shared taxi) on Route 1 is 20 baht (round trip).

- Bus fare from Buriram to Chanthaburi is 60 baht.

- Motorcycle rental fee 250 baht, fuel cost 90 baht.

- Entrance fee to Prasat Hin Phnom Rung and Prasat Hin Muang Tam is 30 baht.

• The cost of flowers, incense, and candles for worship is 20 baht (in some places, I simply raise my hands in respect and ask for forgiveness).

- Train fare to Korat is 60 baht.

• Bus fare from Korat to Mo Chit is 191 baht.

3. The cost of food, snacks, and various drinks will not be included in this calculation, as it varies depending on individual lifestyles.

**Summary:** In total, I spent 1,286 baht on accommodation and travel expenses.

**Note:** Including food and drinks throughout the trip, I spent over 1900 baht (including taxi fare from and back to my dorm on the day of my return).

In conclusion, I would like to encourage everyone who has read this post to go out and explore the world. It is truly a vast and beautiful place, and Thailand is no exception. I am not saying that other countries are not beautiful, but each place has its own unique art, culture, and identity. Personally, I enjoy traveling to new places, experiencing new things, and meeting new people. Some experiences cannot be bought or borrowed from others. It doesn't matter if you travel alone or in a group. If you have the time, opportunity, and energy, go for it! There are many reviews in this Blue Room forum. If you have the chance, I will review the places I have visited or will visit. I will try my best to remember the feelings and details and share them with you. Thank you to everyone who has read and visited the Train to... BURIRAM post. I went to Buriram alone. See you on the next trip!

Go outside