Phanom Rung Historical Park, Buriram, Isan

Hello Buri Ram! We are here is Phanom Rung Historical Park located at Chaloem Phra Kiat District, Buri Ram Province. In our recent Explore Isan Trip we covered Surin, Si Sa Ket, and Buri Ram Provinces. Phanom Rung Historical Park is a grand majestic Khmer style temple complex set on the rim of an extinct volcano at 350 metres above sea level. It was built of sandstone and laterite in the 10th to 13th centuries.

Phanom Rung Historical Park, Buriram, Isan

The word “Phanom Rung” or “Vnam Rung” in the Khmer language means a huge mountain. This phrase appears in the Khmer inscription found at Prasat Hin Phanom Rung, also indicating the name of the castle’s builder, “Narendrathit,” a descendant of the Mahidharpur dynasty, who was a relative of King Suryavarman II, the builder of Angkor Wat. 

Phanom Rung Historical Park, Buriram

Prasat Hin Phanom Rung is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the supreme god in Hinduism, as well as being a symbol of the centre of the universe. The castle on the top of the hill and Prasat Hin Phanom Rung itself represent Mount Krailash, the residence of Lord Shiva. The sanctuary was built and renovated several times between the 10th and 13th centuries. 

The archaeological sites within Phanom Rung Historical Park consist of; The Lower Stairway of Prasat Hin Phanom Rung, made of laterite and features three landings that lead to a cross-shaped platform. The Pavilion, which is a rectangular hall, diagonally across from the cross-shaped platform to the north. The area is presumed to be where kings and nobilities purified themselves before entering the castle. 

The main sanctuary is the centre of the inner temple, built from pink sandstone, with a recessed square layout with three extended porches. The rectangular sanctuary room dates back to the 12th century while the inner sanctuaries are decorated with carvings of the Hindu Gods and the scenes from the epic Ramayana, Hindu religious stories, such as the Gable of Sivanatraj, Narai Banthomsin Lintel, Ramayana, and hermit images can also be found adorning the walls. 

The Fine Arts Department has restored Prasat Hin Phanom Rung using the Anastylosis technique, in which they disintegrate the stone blocks, putting a code on each of them, reinforced the base and put the disintegrated pieces, together with scattered pieces, back in their original places using a modern technique.

On the Thai Heritage Conservation Day occasion on 21 May 1988, Phanom Rung Historical Park was officially opened by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

Phanom Rung Historical Park, Buriram, Isan

Phanom Rung Historical Park

Location: หมู่ที่ 7 114 Ta Pek, Chaloem Phra Kiat District, Buri Ram 31110, Thailand

Contact: +66 44 666 251

Operating Hours: 6am to 6pm

Entrance Fee: 100 Baht

(A combined ticket for visiting the Phanom Rung Sanctuary and the Mueang Tam Sanctuary is available at a special 150 Baht)

For more information about Phanom Rung Historical Park, Buri Ram, Isan, please visit Tourism Thailand Website, Facebook, and Instagram