Surin

Introduction Surin is 457 kilometers far from Bangkok by car and 420 kil ometers by train, and is 194 kilometers far from Nakhon Ratchasima by car and 170 kilometers by train. Surin covers a total area of 8,124 square kilometers and is divided into 13 Amphoes (districts), 3 king Amphoes (Sub districts). Tourist Attractions Ban Bu Thom Basketry Village is situated at Tambon Muang Tai, Amphoe Muang, about 12 kilometers along the Highway 2080 leading towards Amphoe Sikhoraphum. Out of rice growing season, the villagers' additional occupation is rattan basketry weaving. Huai Saneng is a reservoir under the irrigation project situated some 5 kilometers from Surin along the Surin-Prasat route with a left turn for another 4 kilometers along the irrigation channel. A royal residence was built here for the Princess Mother. Accommodation is also available for visitors. For further information, please contact Chief of Surin Irrigation project, Huai Saneng Reservoir, Amphoe Muang, Surin, Tel. 511-966. Luang Pho Phra Chi, Wat Burapharam The image of the Buddha subduing Mara, Luang Pho Phra Chi is most revered by Surin people. It is not known when the images was built. Wat Burapharam is assumed to be constructed in Thon Buri or early Rattanakosin Period, dating back some 200 years. Phanom Sawai Forest Park is located about 22 kilometers from Surin City Hall and accessible by the Surin-Prasat road, the distance of 14 kilometers, then further on a dirt road for another 6 kilometers. The park's major attraction is a triple-peaked hill with the first peak called Phanom Preah where Wat Khao Phanom Sawai was built among shady surroundings and the image of the Buddha bestowing favors known as Phra Phuttha Surin Mongkhon is enshrined. The second peak is Phanom Srei topped by a Buddha image of medium size. The third, Phanom Krol, is topped by an eight-porched hall in which an imitation of the Buddha's Holy Footprint is enshrined. The hill has been regarded a sacred place by the townspeople who on the first day of the new moon in fifth lunar month walk up to the hilltop to pay homage to the place. The day is a traditional holiday for Surin people. Prasat Muang Thi is located 16 kilometers to the east of Amphoe Muang Town Hall at Tambon Muang Thi. To get there, drive along the Surin-Sikhoraphum route. The sanctuary comprises 5 brick indented Prangs situated on a common base. Only 3 Prangs are still to be seen at present. Silk Weaving Villages at Ban Chan Rom, Tambon Ta Ong, Amphoe Muang, and Ban Khwao Sinarin, Khwao Sinarin Subdistrict are renowned for local hand-woven silk and hand-crafted gold and silver beads which are also put on sale. Khwao Sinarin Village is located to the north of Amphoe Muang and accessible by an asphalt branch forad from the Surin-Roi Et Highway (the Highway 214) and further on for another 2 kilometers along a dirt road. Ban Chan Rom is located to the east of Amphoe Muang along the Surin-Sangkha Highway (the Highway 2077). The Chan Rom villagers feed their own silkworms, the source of silk threads to be woven. Surin City Pillar Shrine is situated 500 meters to the west of the City Hall. The present shrine was built in 1968 to replace the old one which contained no pillar. The 3-meter city pillar, carved from an auspicious laburnum wood from Kanchanaburi, was erected and celebrated on March 15 th, 1974. The Statue of Phraya Surin Phakdi Si Narong Chang Wang was erected in 1984 to commemorate the establishment of Surin Province by him. The monument is situated at the southern entrance to Muang Surin at the starting point of the Surin-Prasat road. The 2.2 meter bronze statue, with a mahout's hook in his right hand and a pair of swords on his back marks his bravery and also the province's reputation as the elephant city.

http://travel.thainn.com/thailand/