FESTIVALS
Surin Elephant Roundup
is held in the middle weekend of November. Visitors from around the world flock to see this grand event. Shows include capturing elephants, a tug-of-war between elephant and men, an elephant soccer match, elephant dances, a parade, elephants at war, and cultural performances.
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Welcome to Surin
Source: Tourism Authority of Thailand
General
Surin is world-famous for the Elephant Roundup and for its many Khmer sanctuaries, wide variety of handicrafts, its silk, its rich cultures and its first ruler, Phraya Surin Phakdi Si Narong Wang, from whom the town got its name. Phra Surin, a member of the Suay tribe, became leader in 1760 when he was instrumental in recapturing an escaped royal white elephant, as legend goes.
The province is separated from neighboring Cambodia by the Banthat Mountains. During the 1970s, the period of Khmer Rouge terrorization, thousands of Cambodian refugees crossed into Surin and took up residence alongside already established Laotian refugees, Thais, and Suay tribespeople. Though many refugees have been repatriated, some opted to remain.
Surin is 457 kilometres from Bangkok and has an area of 8,124 square kilometres. It is divided into the following districts: Muang, Chumphon Buri, Tha Tum, Chom Phra, Prasat, Kap Choeng, Rattanaburi, Sanom, Si Khoraphum, Sangkha, Samrong Thap, Buachet, Lamduan, Si Narong, Phanom Dong Rak, Khwao Sinarin and Non Narai.
Attractions
Ban Buthom Basketry Village
Ban Buthom Basketry Village is at Tambon Muang Thi on the Surin-Si Khoraphum Road at the 14-15-km. marker. When villagers are not harvesting, they make basketry from rattan to sell as household items and souvenirs.
Huai Saneng
Huai Saneng is a reservoir popular with locals who seek relaxation. It is 5 kilometres from Amphoe Prasat.
Phanom Sawai Forest Park
Phanom Sawai Forest Park is 14 kilometres away on the way to Amphoe Prasat and 6 kilometres on a road on the right. The park comprises 3 peaks and a large Buddha image in the meditation posture. The view from the top is quite spectacular.
Phraya Surin Phakdi Si Narong Changwang (Pum) Monument
Phraya Surin Phakdi Si Narong Changwang (Pum) Monument is dedicated to the first lord of the city. It is located at the southern entrance to the city in the area where the city’s inner wall once stood. It was built in 1968.
Prasat Mueang Thi
Prasat Mueang Thi is 16 kilometres from Surin on the way to Si Khoraphum on Highway No. 226. Three, square brick pagodas were part of five on the same base.
Silverware and Silk Villages
Silverware and Silk Villages can be reached by taking the Surin-Chom Phra Road (Highway No. 214) to the 14-15-km markers, then 4 kilometres to the right. The villages of Ban Khawao Sinnarin, Ban Chok and Ban Sado are all nearby one another. The beautiful silverware and silk products made here are sold to shops and tourists.
In addition, Chan Rom village at the 9-km marker on the Surin-Sangkha Highway cultivates Indian mulberry for silkworms that are then used to produce ancient-style silk designs and colors. Basketry is also made here.
Wat Burapharam
Wat Burapharam is on Krung Si Nai Road near the provincial hall. It houses Luang Pho Phra Chi, a sacred Buddha image of the city. This old image was built during the Thon Buri period at the same time Surin was founded.
Transportation
Bus
Buses depart from Bangkok’s Mochit 2 Bus Terminal to Surin every day. Contact Transport Co.Ltd at Tel: 0 2936 2852-66 for more information
Car
From Bangkok, take Highway No. 1 to Saraburi and Highway No. 2 to Nakhon Ratchasima, then use Highway No.226 to Surin via Buri Ram, a total distance of 457 kilometres.
Train
Regular trains depart from Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Railway Station to Surin every day. Call 1690, 0 2223 7010-20 for more information.
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