Buriram province
This article is written like a travel guide. (November 2014) |
Buriram
บุรีรัมย์ | |
---|---|
Country | Thailand |
Capital | Buriram |
Government | |
• Governor | Anuson Kaeokangwan (since October 2016) |
Area | |
• Total | 10,322.9 km2 (3,985.7 sq mi) |
• Rank | Ranked 17th |
Population (2014) | |
• Total | 1,591,905[1] |
• Rank | Ranked 5th |
• Rank | Ranked 27th |
HDI | |
• HDI (2009) | 0.729 (medium) (45th) |
Time zone | UTC+7 (ICT) |
Area code | 044 |
ISO 3166 code | TH-31 |
Vehicle registration | บุรีรัมย์ |
Buriram (Template:Lang-th, RTGS: Buri Ram, pronounced [bū.rīː rām]; Northern Khmer: มืฺงแปะ, pronounced [mɤːŋ.pɛʔ]) is one of the northeastern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from south clockwise) Sa Kaeo, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Maha Sarakham, and Surin. To the southeast it borders Oddar Meancheay of Cambodia. The name "Buriram" means 'city of happiness'.
Geography
Buriram is at the south end of the Khorat Plateau, with several extinct volcanoes around the province. The southern limit of the province is a mountainous area at the limit between the Sankamphaeng Range and the Dângrêk Mountains.
History
About a thousand years ago, the area that makes up today's Buriram Province was under the Khmer Empire and many ruins remain from that time. The largest, standing on an extinct volcano, is in the Phanom Rung Historical Park. According to an inscription found there, its local ruler recognised the authority of the Khmer king. However, the area was remote and sparsely populated, and little is recorded about it until the Rattanakosin Kingdom. In the early-19th century, Muang Pae, the largest town, acknowledged Thai sovereignty and was renamed Buriram. Following administrative reforms in the late-19th century, Buriram was formally incorporated into Thailand as a province with its own governor.
Culture
Festivals
Aside from important religious days, Songkran Day and New Year's Day, Buriram also has other local festivals such as the festival of the 5th lunar month[2] when the locals make merit, bathe Buddha images and the aged, play traditional sports such as Saba and tug of war. In some areas like Amphoe Phutthaisong, there is the Bang Fai traditional rocket dance, Khao Phansa, at the beginning of Buddhist Lent and Loi Krathong.
Demographics
Buriram is one of the northeastern provinces with a sizable northern Khmer population. Isaan language is spoken by most, but according to the most recent census 27.6 percent of the population also speak northern Khmer in everyday life.
Symbols
The provincial seal depicts Phanom Rung temple, a Khmer-style Hindu shrine dedicated to Shiva. It was in use from the 9th through the 12th centuries, when the Khmer Empire's control of the region was ended by the Thais of Ayutthaya Kingdom. The ruins are now preserved in a historical park.
The provincial flower is the yellow cotton tree (Cochlospermum regium). The provincial tree is the pink shower (Cassia grandis).
The province's motto is "the city of sandstone sanctuaries, land of volcanoes, beautiful silk, rich culture and the best city of sport".
Administrative divisions
The province is divided into 23 districts (amphoe). The districts are further subdivided into 189 sub-districts (tambon) and 2,212 villages (muban).
Transport
Airports
Buriram Airport is the only airport in Buriram Province. Two airlines, Nok Air and Thai AirAsia, serve Buriram from Don Mueang International Airport (DMK).
Highways
- Highway 218: Buriram - Nang Rong
- Highway 219: Ban Kruat - Prakhon Chai - Buriram - Ban Dan - Satuek - Phayakkhaphum Phisai - Yang Sisurat - Na Chueak - Borabue
- Highway 226: Nakhon Ratchasima - Chaloem Phra Kiat - Chakkarat - Huai Thalaeng - Lam Plai Mat - Buriram - Krasang - Surin - Sikhoraphum - Samrong Thap - Huai Thap Than - Uthumphon Phisai - Sisaket - Kanthararom - Warin Chamrap - Ubon Ratchathani
- Highway 2074: Buriram - Khu Mueang - Phutthaisong
Intercity transit
State Railway of Thailand, the national passenger rail system, provides service to Buriram at the Buriram Railway Station. SRT provides many services such as limited express trains to Bangkok and Ubon Ratchathani, commuter trains to Nakhon Ratchasima and beyond.
The Transport Co., Ltd. operates a bus depot at Buriram Bus Station, and Nakhonchai Air has a stop adjacent to the bus station.
Public transit
The Buriram Songthaew System (BSS) provides public transportation for the city. BSS was established many years ago. There are two lines: Line 1 (Buriram Municipality Market-Khao Kradong Forest Park Line), and Line 2 (Ban Bua Line). Both lines are colored pink.
Sports
Buriram is well known for being a city of sport[3]. Buriram United is currently the most successful football team in Thailand after sweeping all before them by winning the league, the FA Cup, the League Cup and reaching the last eight AFC Champions League competitions.[citation needed] Buriram United play home games at Chang Arena, the largest club-owned football stadium in Thailand.[4]
A FIA Grade 1 and FIM Grade A racing circuit, Chang International Circuit, is near the Chang Arena.
Politics
Senators
- Karoon Sai-ngam (Thai:การุณ ใสงาม)
- Porn Penpas (Thai:พร เพ็ญพาส)
- Permpoon Thongsri (Thai:เพิ่มพูน ทองศรี)
- Surapong Painual (Thai:สุรพงศ์ ไผ่นวล)
- Oudsanee Chidchob (Thai:อุษณีย์ ชิดชอบ)
References
- ^ กรมการปกครอง. กระทรวงมหาดไทย. "รายงานสถิติจำนวนประชากรและบ้าน ประจำปี พ.ศ. 2560" [ออนไลน์]. เข้าถึงได้จาก: [1] 2559. สืบค้น 5 มกราคม 2561.
- ^ "Gregorian-Lunar Calendar Conversion Table". Hong Kong Observatory. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
- ^ "บุรีรัมย์โมเดล ต้นแบบการสร้างเมืองใหม่".
- ^ "'บุรีรัมย์'กร้าวป้อง5แชมป์-ยึดท็อป5เอเชีย".
External links
- Buriram travel guide from Wikivoyage
- Tourism Authority of Thailand: Buriram
- Buriram Times
- Provincial website (Thai)
- Buriram provincial map, coat of arms and postal stamp