Explore Buriram: Immerse yourself in the charm of Sa Kaeo and savor local delicacies at a homestay experience.

Buriram, a land in the southern Isan region with a long history, is known to many for its top-tier Thai League football club. However, Buriram also boasts a wealth of tourist attractions, including historical sites, natural wonders, and delicious local cuisine that is a must-try for any visitor.

Furthermore, Buriram province now boasts a thriving tourism community, with numerous captivating villages worth exploring. Consider seizing the opportunity to experience a genuine homestay, savoring authentic home-cooked meals for a night or two. It would be a truly enriching experience!

Embarking on a Journey to Buriram

This trip, I took the opportunity to don a Buriram jersey and explore the city of Buriram (although I'm usually a SwatCat fan!). Follow along as I share my travel experiences in this vibrant city.

The journey began at Don Mueang Airport with AirAsia, as usual. This trip was my first time flying to Buriram Province.

For convenience, I checked in online in advance and stopped by the kiosk to print my boarding pass. In a moment, I will be ready to depart.

AirAsia operates two daily flights to Buriram, departing at 7:50 AM and 12:25 PM. I opted for the morning flight to maximize my sightseeing time, as the flight duration is only one hour.


Hello Buriram!

After exactly one hour, we arrived at Buriram Airport.

The atmosphere inside the passenger terminal of Buriram Airport.

As Buriram Airport is located quite a distance from the city center, it is advisable to use a transfer service to get into town. Transfer service counters are conveniently located at the passenger terminal exit, with fares to Buriram city starting at 200 baht per trip. Alternatively, passengers can opt for AirAsia's City Transfer service to reach Surin province. For those seeking greater flexibility, car rental services are available, making it convenient to explore various attractions at your own pace. Given the distance, renting a car is arguably the most suitable option for exploring Buriram.


Travel around Buriram City!

From Buriram Airport, I headed towards Buriram city center, which is quite a distance. My first stop was Buriram Railway Station, where I searched for delicious food.

A Culinary Adventure in Buriram: Exploring the Renowned Meatball Stands

Buriram, a vibrant city in Thailand, offers a unique culinary experience for visitors. Among its many attractions, the renowned meatball stands, known as "luk chin yuan kin," hold a special place in the hearts of locals and tourists alike. Situated near the Buriram Railway Station, these stands offer a delightful array of freshly-made meatballs, each bursting with flavor and aroma.

Upon arrival, visitors are greeted by a lively scene, with several meatball stands lining the street. The air is filled with the enticing aroma of sizzling meatballs, tempting passersby to indulge in this local delicacy. The variety of meatballs on offer is truly impressive, catering to diverse tastes and preferences.

The process of enjoying these delectable treats is simple yet satisfying. Customers can choose their desired meatballs, which are then expertly fried to golden perfection. The piping hot meatballs are then presented, ready to be dipped into the accompanying dipping sauce. The rich and flavorful sauce, prepared in a large pot, adds an extra layer of zest to the already delicious meatballs.

The "luk chin yuan kin" experience is not merely about the food; it is about immersing oneself in the local culture. The casual atmosphere and friendly interactions with the vendors create a warm and welcoming ambiance. As you savor the succulent meatballs, you can observe the daily life of Buriram unfold around you, adding to the authenticity of the experience.

In conclusion, a visit to the meatball stands in Buriram is a must for any food enthusiast. The combination of fresh ingredients, skillful preparation, and vibrant atmosphere makes for an unforgettable culinary adventure. So, if you find yourself in Buriram, be sure to stop by these iconic stands and treat yourself to a taste of local tradition.

A wide variety of dipping sauces are available, including sweet, sour, spicy, and even kimchi sauce! In addition, there are unlimited fresh vegetables to enjoy as side dishes. You can stand and eat to your heart's content, losing track of the number of skewers you've had. The price is 3 baht per skewer or 20 baht for 7 skewers, the same price at all stores.

Continuing our journey, we stopped to pay respects at the Buriram City Pillar Shrine. The shrine, built in the Khmer architectural style, houses the two main pillars of Buriram City. Unlike other provinces with only one main pillar, Buriram boasts two. These pillars are considered sacred symbols of the city and a source of spiritual strength for the people of Buriram.

Highlights of Visiting Sa Kaeo: A Trip to CHANG ARENA

The highlight of your visit to Sa Kaeo should be a trip to CHANG ARENA, the home stadium of Buriram United Football Club. This modern stadium is a must-see for any football fan.

The stadium is a steel and fiber structure without a running track, providing an excellent view of the football match. The stadium has a capacity of 32,600 seats.

The stadium features a souvenir shop, and on non-match days, visitors can tour the facilities, including the locker rooms and press conference room. **Admission is free.** In short, the stadium is so impressive that even I, a **#SwatCat** fan, am envious... 555+

A short distance away, you'll find the Chang International Circuit (Buriram International Circuit), a motorsports venue that meets the standards of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) in Thailand. It is situated near Chang Arena.

This circuit has been certified by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) as a Grade 1 circuit, which is the highest level of certification for a race track and allows it to host Formula One races.

Visitors to Chang Arena should also visit the Chang International Circuit!


Another Point of Interest: A Replica of Phanom Rung Castle

Located near Chang Arena, another point of interest is the replica of Phanom Rung Castle. This meticulously crafted structure closely resembles the original, making it a popular spot for tourists to capture memorable photos. Visitors can experience the essence of the real castle without venturing to the actual site.

On a leisurely day, tourists flock to this area, especially to Buriram Castle, which is a hub of shops and restaurants. One of the must-try restaurants is Kai Yang Sita, which serves grilled chicken, papaya salad, and other Isaan dishes. The flavors are rich and spicy, sure to satisfy your taste buds.

At Sida Grilled Chicken Restaurant, the must-try dish is the grilled chicken. It's grilled to perfection with crispy skin, tender meat, and a delicious dipping sauce. It's so good! There are also other Isaan dishes to try.

A short drive away, you can visit Khao Kradong Volcano National Park. Khao Kradong is an extinct volcano that has been developed into a tourist attraction for the province. It is located near Chang Arena, and if you are at Chang Arena, you can see Khao Kradong. The main points of interest are:

The **Naga Staircase**, with its 297 steps, leads to the top of Khao Kradong. If you're worried about getting tired from the climb, you can also drive up.

**Phra Suphatthabat Bophit**, the grand Buddha statue, a symbol of Buriram province.

Lava Suspension Bridge spans the crater of a volcano. At this point, tourists bring padlocks to hang on the wire rope at the bridgehead, which is provided by the park, and pray for their love to last forever according to the legend.

Volcanic crater: As you cross the Lava Suspension Bridge, you will see the extinct volcanic crater.

In the afternoon... From Buriram city, I continued my journey south for about 65 kilometers to a significant landmark of Buriram province, the Phnom Rung Historical Park. Before entering, I had to pay an entrance fee of 20 baht per person.

The Majestic Prasat Hin Phnom Rung: A Symbol of Buriram

Prasat Hin Phnom Rung stands as a magnificent symbol of Buriram province, captivating visitors with its intricate Khmer architecture and stunning location atop the extinct volcano, Phnom Rung. This ancient sanctuary, a testament to the region's rich history, beckons travelers to explore its captivating beauty.

Here, in addition to being renowned for the beauty of the castle, there is also a natural phenomenon where the rising and setting sun shines through the 15 doorways of Phnom Rung Castle. This phenomenon occurs four times a year.


Eat, Sleep, and Live Like a Local at Ubon Samakkhi Community Tourism Village

As a home-stay enthusiast, I was thrilled to embark on a new adventure in the community of Buriram, Thailand. My first stop was the Ubon Samakkhi Community, a charming village offering a unique blend of cultural experiences, home-stay accommodations, and delectable local cuisine.

Ubon Samakkhi Village: A Model of Sustainable Agriculture in Buriram

Ubon Samakkhi Village, located in Non Suwan District, Buriram Province, is a thriving community that embraces sustainable agricultural practices. Guided by the philosophy of sufficiency economy, the villagers have built a vibrant agricultural ecosystem that supports their livelihoods and preserves the environment.

The community's primary occupation is agriculture, with a focus on activities such as:

  • Rubber plantations: Providing a source of natural rubber, a valuable commodity in the global market.
  • Cassava farms: Cultivating cassava, a versatile crop used for food, animal feed, and industrial applications.
  • Dairy farming: Raising cows for milk production, contributing to the local dairy industry.
  • Fruit orchards: Growing a variety of fruits, including mangosteen, longan, durian, and bananas, providing fresh produce and economic opportunities.
  • Rotating vegetable gardens: Ensuring a diverse and sustainable supply of fresh vegetables for the community.

Ubon Samakkhi Village serves as an exemplary model of how sustainable agricultural practices can contribute to community development, economic prosperity, and environmental conservation.

The atmosphere of a homestay in the community is simple and relaxed. You will be able to eat, sleep, and interact with the local people.

In addition to offering homestay accommodations, the establishment also provides authentic Thai cuisine for tourists. Guests can choose their desired meals, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Each meal features a rotating selection of authentic Thai dishes, ensuring a comprehensive culinary experience.


Staying at a homestay requires waking up early in the morning. The air is fresh and invigorating. After waking up, I went for a walk to breathe in the fresh air and observe the morning routines of the local people. I also waited to offer food to the monks.

The community's tourism activities will use the village's tour guide vehicles (motorcycle sidecars), which number more than 50, to take you to visit various tourist attractions in the community.

I rode a motorcycle with a sidecar to visit a mixed agricultural plot, which has a fruit orchard (rambutan, longan, durian, banana, etc.). There is a fruit buffet where you can pick and taste as much as you like. The orchard here is unique because it is planted with volcanic soil and uses natural mineral water for irrigation. Therefore, the fruits are sweet, crunchy, delicious, fresh, and free of chemicals.

A demonstration of how to make biofermented water (banana stem fermented water) was presented. The resulting biofermented water can be used to spray on plants to promote their growth.

Learn the techniques and methods of growing durian, a fruit that is difficult to grow. You can learn the techniques to grow durian to its full potential.

In addition to enjoying fresh fruit directly from the trees and gaining knowledge about agriculture, I also formed strong bonds with the local community, who treated me with great care and kindness. It felt like being among family.

Community Forest Adventure: Exploring Nature with a Local Twist

The community forest adventure offers a unique blend of education and excitement. Led by local guides on motorbike sidecars, visitors embark on a journey through the 3,000-acre community forest, teeming with diverse flora and fauna. From wild mushrooms and medicinal herbs to elusive white squirrels, the forest presents a captivating glimpse into the region's rich biodiversity. The adventurous terrain adds a thrilling element to the experience, making it an unforgettable exploration of nature's wonders.


Continuing on foot into the community forest, we studied the natural environment and various tree species, with the community guide providing care and guidance throughout the journey.

One can attempt to gather wild mushrooms for culinary purposes.

From the **community forest**, we walked back into the village to rest and have a snack. A local delicacy, **sun-dried bananas with mineral water**, is made from bananas that are watered with natural mineral water from underground sources. They are processed through various meticulous steps, from selecting ripe bananas to sun-drying them using solar energy. The result is sun-dried bananas that are **sweet, fragrant, and delicious, without the need for added sugar...**

In addition to the Ubon Samัkkee Tourism Community, I also have a program to visit another community in Buriram Province. When the time is right, it's time to move on!

For inquiries about packages and contact information, please visit the Ubon Samakkee Community Tourism Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ubonsamakkee

Eat, Sleep, and Live Like a Local at the Ban Sap Sombun Community Tourism Village

Change your sleeping place... by stopping by to sleep at the Ban Sap Somboon Community Homestay for another night. Here, you will find community tourism activities and homestay accommodation, along with local food served at every meal, ready to serve tourists as well.

Ban Sap Somboon: A Village of Mushrooms and Natural Hot Springs

Ban Sap Somboon, nestled within the Non Suwan district, lies in close proximity to the first community I visited. This village boasts a simple way of life and is renowned for its cultivation of Japanese funnel mushrooms. Notably, the mushrooms are irrigated with natural hot spring water, imparting a unique crispness and sweetness that distinguishes them from others.

Homestay accommodations are available with local cuisine for tourists, allowing them to experience the community's way of life. Typically, homestays are simple, comfortable, well-ventilated, clean, and safe, with breakfast included.

Additionally, there are tent accommodations available near the community pond (the Agricultural Production Bank's Fisheries Learning Center) for those who want to experience nature up close. **I chose to camp there**, as the atmosphere was truly peaceful and relaxing.

Waking up early, I opened the tent to breathe in the morning air by the lake, accompanied by a hot cup of coffee.

Besides offering homestay accommodation, Baan Sub Samboon also provides tourists with a selection of five delectable local dishes. Tourists can choose their preferred meals from breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Recommended menu items include Gaeng Liang (Southern Thai vegetable curry), sun-dried fish, mushroom salad, grilled fish, and sweet egg lotus seed soup.

Waking up early to make merit by offering sticky rice to monks with the community members.

Tourist Activities at the Agricultural Produce Bank Learning Center

The 38-acre learning center, located near the village pond, offers a variety of activities related to fisheries and sustainable agriculture. These include:

  • Fish breeding demonstrations: Learn about the techniques used to breed different fish species.
  • Raising fish in natural water sources: Observe how fish are raised in ponds and other natural environments.
  • Fish fry raising: Witness the process of raising fish fry from eggs to fingerlings.
  • Casting net demonstrations: See how experienced fishers use casting nets to catch fish.
  • Fish farming in cages: Learn about the methods and benefits of raising fish in cages.
  • Sun-dried fish and fermented fish demonstrations: Discover the traditional methods of preserving fish through drying and fermentation.

These activities provide visitors with valuable insights into sustainable fishing practices and the importance of preserving local agricultural traditions.

The natural hot spring in the community is drinkable and of high quality. Currently, there are two locations: one on private land and one in a public area managed by the Department of Groundwater Resources in Moo 7, Ban Sap Sombun. According to the Department of Resources, the water is of excellent quality and drinkable, comparable to the mineral water found in Phra Phutthabat, Tak Province, and Fang, Chiang Mai Province.

The agricultural garden is a mixed-use garden with a variety of crops, including watermelon bananas, melon gardens, and rubber plantations. This community-maintained garden serves as a supplementary source of income for households. The unique aspect of this garden is the use of mineral water for irrigation, resulting in sweet and delicious produce unlike any other.

The mineral-infused banana was a delightful treat. Its sweet and fragrant flavor lived up to its reputation.

Take a walk through the mixed agricultural garden, where a variety of vegetables are grown.

Within the community, there is a mushroom cultivation learning center that offers demonstrations on sawdust filling, mushroom block formation, mushroom food mixing, mushroom block sterilization, mushroom inoculation, and mushroom incubation in the greenhouse. Tourists can learn about the mushroom cultivation process through these demonstrations and even try their hand at some of the steps themselves.

Japanese Shiitake Mushrooms

The use of mineral water to irrigate the mushrooms is a key feature of this farm. This results in high-quality mushrooms that are crisp, sweet, and unlike any others. They are delicious in any dish.

Mushroom Processing

This section focuses on mushroom processing, specifically the production of fermented mushroom sausage ("naem hed") and mushroom chili paste ("nam phrik hed"). Tourists are invited to participate in the entire process, from preparing the ingredients and mixing the spices to stuffing and tying the sausages. While I personally opted to observe rather than participate, the experience was nonetheless engaging, and I eagerly awaited the opportunity to sample the finished products.

Staying at a Homestay and Learning About the Community

This experience of staying at a homestay and learning about the community's way of life has been truly enriching. I have gained many new experiences, and I hope to have the opportunity to visit again in the future.

Package Inquiries and Contact

For inquiries about packages and to contact the Ban Sap Somboon Travel Village community, please visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/subsomboontravelvillage.


Taste the delicious "Kway Teow Peah" before you leave!

It's time to head back. I took the route that passes through Nang Rong district, so I took the opportunity to try the "Kway Teow Pia Nang Rong" that was recommended to me. This restaurant is located on the Nang Rong-Nong Ki road and is known for its unique recipe. The restaurant uses "pia", or cow dung, as a key ingredient in its seasoning, which gives the noodles a slightly bitter but rich and delicious flavor. It was truly a delightful experience.

Kuay Tiew Pia is served with a variety of fresh vegetables, which complement the dish perfectly. Moreover, it is incredibly affordable. If you have the chance to visit the area, be sure to give it a try!

Journey Back!

And so... it's time for me to head back.

My trip to Buriram in southern Isan was a delightful experience. The region boasts a wealth of tourist attractions and local delicacies, exceeding my expectations. The homestay experience provided valuable insights into the community's warm hospitality and unique way of life. I look forward to returning and exploring more of Buriram's charm.

See you soon!

CHAILAIBACKPACKER: Experiential Tourism

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