Isan hotels and travel guide, Thailand. Hotel reservation for Khon Kaen and all north-easter regions of Thailand.

Surin is 457 kilometers far from Bangkok by car and 420 kilometers by train, and is 194 kilometers far from Nakhon Ratchasima by car and 170 kilometers by train.
Surin is a big province on Mun River Basin in Lower Northeast of Thailand. It is well known, locally and international, for its elephant. The gigantic animal of Surin impresses everyone with loveliness, cleverness and creates unique character of the province. Surin people have long relationship with elephant which becomes icon of the province now. Plenty of Khmer Ruins, beautiful silk and famous jasmine rice make Surin a very interesting destination.
» North : Roi Et and Maha Sarakham.
» South : Cambodia
» East : Si Sa Ket
» West : Buri Ram

In historical aspect, Surin’s story can be dated back thousands of year B.C. when Suai or Kuai ethnic group migrated along Mekong River to settle around Dongrek Range. Kuai ethnic people, found in Thailand and Laos, is talent in catching and training elephant. Some 2,000 years ago, during Khmer Era, Surin town was established. After the fall of Khmer Empire, the town was neglected until 1763, when Luang Surin Pakdi (Chiang Pum) headman of Mueang Thi Village, led his people to settle at Ban Khu Prathai, in present Surin City. He was promoted as the first mayor later. From Bangkok, there are daily buses leaving the Northern Bus Terminal. Traveling takes about 6 hours. For more information please contact Tel. 2710101-5 (Non air - conditioned buses) and Tel. 2794484-7 (Air conditioned bus). There are trains leaving Bangkok Railway Station (Hua Lam Phong) daily. The distance is 420 kilometers.
For further details please call Information counter, State Railway of Thailand, Tel. 2337010, 2337020
There is also local bus service from the provincial city of Surin to all Amphoes and to nearby provinces. Traveling within Amphoe Muang is also possible by tricycle. Drive along the Highway 1 (Phahonyothin Road) and turn right to the Highway 2 (Mitraphap Road) at Saraburi, then turn to the Chok Chai-Det Udom route (the Highway 24) via Amphoe Nang Rong and Amphoe Prasat before turning left to the Highway 214 to Surin Province. The total distance is 457 kilometers. Surin has been an elephant's habitat since ancient times and the local townspeople of Surin are skilled in rounding up, training and controlling elephants. The famous ' Elephant Round-Up' was first held in 1960 and Surin has ever since become well-known among Thai and foreign visitors alike.
The Surin Elephant Round-Up has been scheduled to take place annually during weekend around mid November. The fair is regarded an international annual which attracts numbers of tourists from every cornor of the world. Planned activities during the fair include a tug-of-war between an elephant and men, elephants in football match, war elephant parade, and local performances

 

 

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