TLDR
Buriram is a compact Isan base within easy reach of Phanom Rung, Muang Tam, Khao Kradong, the Sarus crane wetland, and Surin’s elephants. This guide ranks the best day trips with realistic travel times, costs, and transport options — plus which to skip.
Insider Tip
Do Phanom Rung and Muang Tam as a single loop — leave the hotel by 07:00, hit Phanom Rung first for the light, then Muang Tam for lunch and quieter photos. A 150 THB combo ticket covers both.
Why Buriram Is a Great Day-Trip Base
Buriram sits right in the middle of some of Isan’s best sights. You’re in easy reach of ancient Khmer ruins, extinct volcanoes, wetlands packed with birdlife, and even the Cambodian border — all without the crowds you’d get from Siem Reap or Chiang Mai.
Most day trips from town run between 30 minutes and two hours each way. Rental cars and private drivers are by far the easiest way to cover them; public transport exists but requires patience and flexibility. The Thailand tourism board has a good overview of the province on the official Tourism Thailand Buriram page if you want a second opinion on what’s worth visiting.
Planning your stay? Check current rates at Ray Hotel Buriram — a comfortable downtown base in Buriram with a pool, breakfast included, and friendly staff.
Phanom Rung Historical Park (1 hour)
Phanom Rung is the single most impressive day trip from Buriram. It’s a 10th-13th century Khmer temple built on the rim of an extinct volcano, 402 metres up, and it’s one of the best-preserved Khmer sites outside Cambodia.
The drive takes about an hour from central Buriram via Highway 218 south. Entrance is 100 THB for foreigners, and the park is open 07:00-18:00 daily. Aim to arrive before 09:00 — the stairs up to the sanctuary tower are long and mostly unshaded, and the central prang is at its most photogenic in morning light.
A few times a year — in April and October — the rising or setting sun aligns perfectly with the temple’s 15 doorways. If your trip lands on one of those days, the viewing is packed but genuinely special. Check the Fine Arts Department’s Phanom Rung page for the exact dates.
Prasat Muang Tam (add 20 minutes to Phanom Rung)
Muang Tam — meaning “lower temple” — is less famous than Phanom Rung but often the favourite by the end of the day. It’s 8 km downhill from Phanom Rung, the crowds are a fraction of the size, and the four lotus-filled reservoirs surrounding the inner sanctuary are photogenic in a way that’s hard to describe until you stand there.
Combining Phanom Rung and Muang Tam is the classic Buriram day out. A 150 THB combo ticket covers both sites. Bring sun cream, a hat, and small bills for the little food stalls in the car park at Muang Tam — the papaya salad stand on the right usually has a queue for a reason.
Khao Kradong Forest Park (20 minutes)
If you’re short on time, Khao Kradong is Buriram’s closest proper day trip. It’s a small extinct volcano on the edge of town with a giant white Buddha statue (Phra Phutthabat Phimonlak) at the summit. Entrance is free, and you can drive almost all the way up, then climb the final 297 steps.
Sunrise and sunset hikes are popular with locals. The view stretches across the Isan plain in every direction — rice fields, mango orchards, and on a clear day the silhouette of Chang International Circuit to the south-west.
“One of the best hotels in downtown Buriram. Very friendly staff, especially Suwichak at the reception desk. Clean and spacious rooms, a nice pool with good swimming opportunities, a restaurant, and two fitness areas. Walking Street and bars are an 8-minute drive away by taxi.”
MJoe — verified guest, Ray Hotel Buriram (6 months ago)
Sarus Crane Wetland Learning Centre (50 minutes)
For something completely different, drive 50 minutes east to the Chorakhe Mak Reservoir. This is one of the only places in Thailand where Eastern Sarus cranes — once extinct in the wild — have been successfully reintroduced. The learning centre has a small exhibit and observation platforms around the wetland.
Go in the cool season (November-February) for the best sightings. Entry is free but a small donation at the centre is welcome. Binoculars or a zoom lens are essential; the cranes stay well back from the boardwalks.
Surin Elephant Village (2 hours east)
Surin is the next province over and has a long history with domesticated elephants. The Elephant Study Centre at Ban Ta Klang houses around 200 elephants that have been retired from tourism work. This is not a ride-the-elephant experience — it’s an observation-and-education setup that’s more ethical than most.
It’s a full-day trip. Leave Buriram by 07:00 to have enough time. You can easily combine it with a stop at Prasat Ta Muen Thom on the Thai-Cambodian border if you’re driving yourself.
Transport Options for Day Trips
A rental car is the simplest way to tackle Buriram day trips. Budget around 1,000-1,500 THB/day plus fuel. For Phanom Rung alone, many visitors book a private car-and-driver through their hotel for 1,800-2,500 THB round-trip — a good option if you’d rather not drive Thai country roads.
Public transport works for budget travellers with flexibility. Songthaews run to Nang Rong (the nearest town to Phanom Rung) and you can hire a tuk-tuk from there. Expect the round trip to take most of the day and cost around 500 THB total.
A Look Inside Ray Hotel Buriram
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Ray Hotel Buriram — downtown Buriram, with a pool, two fitness areas, poolside dining, and a breakfast buffet that guests remember. A sensible base for everything in this guide.
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Keep reading: Best Restaurants in Buriram: Where to Eat, Best Time to Visit Buriram: Month by Month Guide, Buriram Neighborhood Guide: Every Area You Need to Know.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best day trips from Buriram?
Phanom Rung Historical Park (the Khmer temple on an extinct volcano) is the standout. Muang Tam is a lovely add-on. Khao Kradong is the closest option; Surin's elephant village and the Sarus crane wetland are excellent for a second day out.
How long does it take to drive to Phanom Rung?
About an hour each way from central Buriram via Highway 218. Most people leave Buriram around 07:00 to be at the temple before the morning heat and the tour buses.
Do I need a car for Buriram day trips?
Not strictly — you can reach Phanom Rung by songthaew-plus-tuk-tuk for under 500 THB return — but it takes most of the day. A rental car or private driver (1,800-2,500 THB/day) saves a lot of time if you're fitting in multiple stops.
Can I see Phanom Rung and Muang Tam in one day?
Yes, easily. Muang Tam is 8 km downhill from Phanom Rung and a 150 THB combo ticket covers both. Allow four hours on the ground for both sites plus travel time.
Is there an entrance fee for Phanom Rung?
100 THB for foreigners, 20 THB for Thais. Open 07:00-18:00 daily. The combo ticket with Muang Tam is 150 THB and worth it.
When are the Phanom Rung sun-alignments?
The sanctuary's 15 doorways align with sunrise in early April and early September, and with sunset in early March and early October. Exact dates shift slightly each year — check the Fine Arts Department site before booking if you want to see one.