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 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 Phutthaisong District, 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. The Isan language is spoken by most, but according to the most recent census 27.6% 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. The provincial tree is the pink shower. 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
Provincial government
The province is divided into 23 districts. The districts are further divided into 189 subdistricts and 2,212 villages.
Local government
As of 26 November 2019 there are: one Buriram Provincial Administration Organisation and 62 municipal areas in the province. Buriram, Chum Het and Nang Rong have town status. Further 59 subdistrict municipalities. The non-municipal areas are administered by 146 Subdistrict Administrative Organisations - SAO.
, 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 its bus station adjacent.
Public transit
The Buriram Songthaew System provides public transportation for the city. BSS was established many years ago. There are two lines: Line 1, and Line 2. Both lines are colored pink.
Buriram promotes itself as a city of sport. Buriram United is the most successful football team in Thailand after sweeping all before them by winning the league, the FA Cup, the League Cup, and AFC Champions League quarter-finalist. Buriram United play home games at Chang Arena, the largest club-owned football stadium in Thailand. A FIA Grade 1 and FIMGrade A racing circuit, Chang International Circuit, is near Chang Arena.
