Surin (Thai: สุรินทร์) is one of the north-eastern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from west clockwise) Buriram, Maha Sarakham, Roi Et and Sisaket. To the south it borders Oddar Meancheay of Cambodia.

History

Surin was originally an important part of the Khmer empire (its center at Angkor in present day Cambodia). Temple ruins and a substantial ethnic Khmer minority remain part of Surin. In 1763 a village was moved to the location of the modern city of Surin, and was upgraded to a city with the name Mueang Prathai Saman. At that time there was a man named Chiangpum who gave a white elephant in tribute to Rama I of Bangkok before he became king. In return he received the honorary name Luang Surin Phakdi and was assigned as the village leader. Later he became the first governor when Rama I became king. In 1786 the town was renamed in honor of its first governor to its current name, Surin.

Sights

City Pillar Shrine of Surin. ศาลหลักเมืองสุรินทร์. The shrine is a sacred icon of the city. At first, the shrine did not house any pillar. In 1968, the Fine Arts Department has designed a new city shrine and got golden cassia log from Mr. Prasith Maneekan, and made it the city pillar.

The Monument of Phaya Surin Phakdi Si Narong Changwang (Pum). อนุสาวรีย์พระยาสุรินทรภักดีศรีณรงค์จางวาง (ปุม). The statue of Surin’s first mayor was built to honor Phaya Surin. The antique brass statue is 2.2 metres high with curve-blade pike in right hand, mirroring his excellent skill in controlling war elephant and prosperity of elephant in Surin since ancient time.

Wat Burapharam. วัดบูรพาราม. the ancient Buddhist temple was built by Surin’s first mayor Phaya Surin Phakdi Si Narong Changwang. The city houses principle Buddha image Luang Pho Phra Chi which was built at the same time with the temple.

Surin National Museum. พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติ สุรินทร์. The museum features five areas namely geography, archeology, city history, ethnology, and heritages of the province.

Lower Isan Art and Crafts Centre. ศูนย์ศิลปาชีพอีสานใต้ Located on bypass road, close to Tambon Nok Mueang Administration organization, southeast of Surin City, the centre displays art and culture exhibits of Lower Isan.

Huai Saneng. ห้วยเสนง. Huai Saneng Reservoir has high and steep crest which is served as asphalted road. Its southern area is rich of water lily which colonies of various birds. The palace of Mother Princess is located in the headquarter

Phanom Sawai Forest Park. วนอุทยานพนมสวาย. The park has a hill with three peaks. The first peak, Yot Khao Chai, or the man peak, is where Wat Phanom Sawai is located on. The second peak, Yot Khao Ying, or the lady peak, houses a medium-size Buddha image. The third peak, Yot Khao Kok, houses octagon pavilion.

Mueang Thi Khmer Ruins. ปราสาทเมืองที. Built from brick and cement, the Khmer ruins comprised 5 stupas on the same base, with the biggest one at the middle and the rest at 4 corners. Today, one stupa at the corner has completely damaged.

Ban Buthom Basketry Village. หมู่บ้านจักสานบ้านบุทม. The village is famed for its rattan basketry which is extra earning for villager after harvest season. Villager would not paint lacquer on finished products which may cause fungus later, but soak their basketry with lemon, carambola, or kaffir lime to make it glossy.

Village of Chansoma Golden Brocade, Ban Tha Sawang. หมู่บ้านทอผ้าไหมยกทองจันทร์โสมา บ้านท่าสว่าง. The village is highly recognised for its 1,416-heddled, gold-brocaded silk, being offered to Her Majesty the Queen. The outstanding performance of the village is that it was selected by the government to weave cloth for the shirts of 21 APEC leaders and the shawls of their spouses.

Khwao Sinarin Handicrafts Village. หมู่บ้านหัตถกรรมเขวาสินรินทร์. The community is famed for local-style silk cloth called ‘Hol’ which is considered the best silk sloth. Ban Chok village is the first village to produce silver buttons called ‘Luk Pa Kueam’ which is used as decorations for lady.

Ban Phlai Khmer Ruins. ปราสาทบ้านไพล. Three brick stupas in the same line are surrounded with moat except on the east. Although Shiva Linga and some lintels are missing, the remaining artifacts are kept at Phimai National Museum indicate that the Khmer Ruins was built in 11th Century.

Festivals

Surin Jasmine Rice and Silk Cloth Fair. งานวันข้าวหอมมะลิอินทรีย์และมหกรรมผ้าไหมสุรินทร์. Held every January, the fair features contest of agricultural products, silk cloth, and performances of public bodies.

Thai Elephant Day. งานวันช้างไทย. The light and sound show about the legend of Thai elephants and traditional entertainment will be annually held on november second week

Going up Phanom Sawai Mountain Festival. งานประเพณีขึ้นเขาพนมสวาย. This annual festival is the parade of traditional art and culture to Phanom Sawai mountain in order to pay respect to Phra Yai, the intimate Buddha’s footprint, Luang Phu Dun, and Wat Phanom Silaram. It will be held on March of every year.

Si Khoraphum Khmer Ruins Celebration and Loi Krathong. งานฉลองปราสาทศีขรภูมิและงานประเพณีลอยกระทง. The annual celebration is held every third weekend of November at Si Khoraphum Khmer Ruins. The celebration features performance, lifestyle of ethnic people (Khmer, Lao, and Suay), local performances, souvenir market, beauty contest, Krathong contest and float.

Surin_Elephant_Round-up and Surin Red Cross Fair. งานช้างและกาชาดสุรินทร์. The annual fair is held every third week of November at Si Narong Stadium. Since ancient time, Surin is rich of elephant. Suay ethnic people has turned wild elephant into their vehicles and their talent in elephant controlling has made debut for Thailand. The Round-up features contest of elephant’s dining table, elephant welcome float, the world’s biggest dining event of the elephant, and performance such as elephant capture, tug of war between elephant and men, elephant football match, war elephant, and local performances such as Ruam An-re and Kantrum.

Eel Festival. เทศกาลงานปลาไหล. The fair is held at the field of Amphoe Chumphon Buri every third week of December, after the harvest when eel is big enough for the catch. Farmer normally can catch lots of eel at that time, and it turns yellow and not smells fishy.

Ordination parade on elephant’s back. งานประเพณีบวชนาคแห่ช้าง. The vibrant tradition is held mostly on the 13th-15th day of waxing moon of May (around mid of May) at Wat Chaeng Sawang, Ban Ta Klang, Amphoe Tha Tum. Khmer, Laotian, and Suay speople are all Buddhist. All families wish their sons to enter monkshood and study dhamma before wedding. Ordination of many monks at the same time and parade on elephant’s back in long distance means great merit for all families. As all participants always dress up beautifully with mat-mi silk, the tradition earns lots of interest and inherited for generations. The parade comprises big parade of more than 50 elephants crossing Moon River. The men entering monkshood will have their heads shaved, pay homage to Chao Pho Wang Thalu Shrine before starting the ordination.

Long Boat Racing Festival. งานประเพณีชิงถ้วยพระราชทาน. Organized in October every year. Four types of racing for the royal trophy and the contest of boat beauty parade will be organized on Maenam Mun in front of Wat Pho, Amphoe Tha Tum.