This area of Thailand was once ruled by the Khmer people of Cambodia, who built the temple of Prasit Hin Khao in the Angkor period between the 10th and 13th centuries.
This is a good place to explore to get a feel for Thailand’s rich history and architectural diversity. The original name of this ancient temple complex was Phanom Rung, which means ‘big mountain’ in the Khmer language, and the scared site was dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.
This is a very popular pilgrimage site for Thai people as folk tales state that everyone should visit the temple complex at least once in their lifetime to pay respect to the deities and celestial beings that inhabit the mountain. Although many of the temples and other buildings on this site have now crumbled, extensive restoration has been carried out.
There are plenty of refreshment stalls located both in and just outside Prasat Hin Khao Phanom Rung Historical Park. Although there are not many places to stay in Buriram, there are a number of good hotels in nearby Nakhon Ratchasima.
Getting There & Away
There are regular buses from Buriram to Phanom Rung that will drop passengers outside the park upon request (1 hour). There are also regular buses from Nakhon Ratchasima (2 hours).