Buriram means a city of happiness. It is located in the Northeast of Thailand, between Nakhorn Ratchasima and Surin Provinces. It is about 400 kilometers from Bangkok.

There are many interesting places here such as Phanom Rung Stone Castle, Muang Tam Stone Castle, Wat Khao Angkarn, Suan Nok Bird Sanctuary and Zoo Park, Ban Hin Dat Rock Fields, the Ban Gruad ancient kilns, and hundreds of sites of former settlements located along the various rivers which flow through the provincial areas.

Phanom Rung Stone Castle is a well-known place in Buriram, located on the top of an extinct volcano. Phanom Rung castle is about 1,000 years old and is the oldest Hindu temple located in Thailand. Its more famous sister structure, the Anghor Wat which is located at Siam Riep in Cambodia, was built more than a hundred years after the Phanom Rung. It was constructed of laterite (a volcanic rock) and pink sand-stone.

Every April (the exact date depends on the lunar calendar) a parade is held in the morning and a spectacular light and sounds festival involving hundreds of actors and actresses is conducted at night. The show depicts the history of Phanom Rung. Phanom Rung castle is the home to the very famous Naraibuntomsin lintel. Another similar structure which is about four kilometers from Phanom Rung is Muang Tam Stone Castle, located on the lower part of the hill. It is also very beautiful place to take photographs.

Wat Khao Angkarn is a temple, first built in the Age of Davaravadee; it was made of basalt stone. There are several mural paintings with descriptions provided in English. You should come to visit and you will learn for yourself how beautiful they are.

In 1679, war broke out between Korat and Narong cities. The King of Siam sent Prince Chakri (who later assumed the name King Rama I-- the first ruler of the Chakri Dynasty which continues to rule Thailand to the present time) to negotiate a settlement between the warring factions. After finishing his job of making peace, Prince Chakri moved his army farther and found a place, which he thought, was very appropriate to become the site of a new town; therefore, he ordered a town to be built there and gave it the name, "Muang Pae". Later, during the reign of King Rama V, the town became known as Buriram.

Buriram is a sizable provincial capital city of the province by the same name, and consisting of 21 districts and 2 sub-districts. There is a growing number of restaurants, shops, tourist attractions, and conveniences. The city of Buriram has a population around 210,000.

The Tree of Life House Christian Children's Center and Orphanage is located at 166/23 Thanon Na Watpa, Amphur Muang, Changwat Buriram 31000 Thailand and we call it The TreeHouse. TOLO itself is located less than one kilometer from the Buriram Train Station, behind Wat Pa Long Looey (Wat Taamtiram). Just exit from the backside of the train station and walk down the first street you see. At the end of the wat wall turn left til you reach the back gate of the wat. Then, turn right. We are the fourth house on the right with a big sign which reads "Tree of Life Mission of Praise Children's Center and Orphanage." That's us!

By Airplane:
PB Air normally operates a one hour and ten minute flight to Buriram from Suvarnabuhmi International Airport.

Air fare is currently quoted at 2,340 baht one-way (4,680 RT=approximately 125.00 USD)and you are allowed luggage of 20 kilograms excluding your one carry-on bag. Anything over 20 kilos is considered excess baggage and is charged at 25 baht per kilo--- in western terms that's 60 cents US per kilo. International airlines grant approximately 70 kilograms in checked baggage so if you come in loaded with luggage internationally you will end up paying for it in excess baggage charges if you fly to Buriram. There is a shuttle van service located at the Buriram airport and it costs around 300 baht per person from the airport to the center of town (32 kilometers).

For buses and trains no baggage charges whatsoever are assessed. If you call me before hand to let me know you are on the flight call at 044-617011 or 044-618-886. I can drive up to the airport to retrieve you.

By Train:
From the main train terminal at Walampho or from Bang Sue Junction. All trains for Buriram are marked Sri Saket, Surin or Ubon. Buriram is a stop on each of these train lines. There is a train schedule posted showing train numbers, times of departure and final destinations.

How and when you travel all depends on the time of day or night you arrive in Bangkok and how tired you are from your flight. I recommend that if you do arrive at night and are quite tired due to jet lag spend the night in Bangkok.

Take a taxi to Bangkok City Inn (room rate: is approximately 1,000 baht per single room per night) Bangkok City Inn is located in the Pratuwan area off Rajadamri Road. Have a good rest there until morning (see hotel information below), then take a taxi from in front of the hotel to the main train station (approximately 60 baht fare) and take train number 71 which arrives in Buriram at 5:23 p.m. Alternately, train 233 leaves a bit later from Walampo station and takes somewhat longer. It arrives in Buriram at 7:19 p.m. If you arrive at night and are not too tired to travel
there are trains departing from 2140 and 2220 and 2340 : they arrive in Buriram in the wee hours of the morning, 5 a.m., 6 a.m. and 8 a.m.

If you take the late trains---Make sure you get a second class seat for 186 baht rather than a third class seat for 68 baht. The third class seats are wooden benches and this is a seven and a half hour train ride. You would have trouble sleeping on this particular train if you rode third class. Second class seats recline and are soft, easy to fall asleep Our telephone number once you are in Thailand is 044-617011 or 044-618886.

By Bus:
Buses for Buriram from Bangkok leave every 30 minutes from the Maw Chit Northeastern Bus Terminal. If trains are fully booked then consider the bus as an alternative. The buses are available in the morning hours but do not run after 12 p.m. until late at night, perhaps 10 p.m. Fares for comfortable air conditioned second class buses are between 260 and 480 baht
(7 to 13 dollars US). Buses from Buriram to Bangkok leave in the morning up to 11:30 a.m. and resume at 9 pm at night.

Buses stop frequently and take about 6-7 hours to reach Buriram.

Hotels:
Buriram has twelve hotels in the town to accommodate its visitors. Some hotels are first-classed such as the Tepnakorn (which is the only hotel located in Buriram that might qualify for three star status), Phanom Phiman, located on the campus of the Buriram Rajabhat University and only a hundred meters from the Culture Center of the Lower Isaan, our premier museum of Thai, Lao, Cambodian and Seuie cultures, the Vongthong Hotel and the Siam Hotel and the P.N.D. Hotel; the newest addition is the Diamond Grand which boasts 65 nicely decorated rooms, some are second classed: Thai Hotel, the Grand Hotel, the Plern, the Chaichareon, the Jintana Hotel the Siriporn and the Niwat. We even have one Bed and Breakfast -- four rooms--- not far from Jitra Road.

The first-class Tepnakorn Hotel's double rooms room rates vary from 680 - 4,500 baht per night (38 baht equals 1 US Dollar and they do take credit cards---regular rooms are equipped with double beds, queen-sized beds or king-sized beds and especially spacious VIP rooms) and includes buffet breakfast. As of June 2006 they have added a beautiful swimming pool and spa and expanded the number of restaurants and shops. This hotel has some good restaurants located within the hotel itself and several other restaurants located nearby such as the Hansa which has delicious seafood available. Breakfast is included in the price of the room. Each of the hotel rooms are spacious and each has an air-conditioner, TV, refrigerator and shower or bath. Single rooms contain the same style of furniture; the standard room prices vary from 400-650 baht. The VIP suites are extremely spacious and beautifully furnished.

The second classed hotels' rooms contain ceiling fans, TV, and showers. Prices vary from 200 -360 baht. Each of these hotels is located within the city limits; hotel maps are available for each hotel.