Khao Kradong And Phanom Rung, Thai cultural sites in Buriram.

[Bruce Mangosteen]

On a recent trip to Buriram, some friends and I did a bit of sightseeing.  On the way into Buriram you pass a golden Buddha at the top of a hill. 



That was our first stop.  It sits atop Khao Kradong, which is actually an extinct volcano.  You can quite clearly see the crater on the way up the mountain.  As with so many of these places, there was a gazillion-step staircase.  We drove.

The top of the staircase:



There's a pagoda and some statuary around it.







Then, there's the big guy himself.







There's a pretty good view from the platform there.  You can see the new footy stadium.





Even though it was cloudy it was fooking hot up there, so we grabbed a cold drink from a vendor up there and set off for Phanom Rung.  Phanom Rung (pronounced "Panoom Roong") is the ruin of an ancient Khmer/Hindu temple which was built on yet another extinct volcano.  The crater on this one is not visible that I could detect. 

As with Khao Kradong, there's a staircase at the front of this structure.  There was also a parking lot at the top of Phanom Rung, and we elected to drive up again.

In the car park there is a sign that gives a brief description of Phanom Rung.





Note:  It was rumbling thunder and getting darker by the minute.  That made a great atmosphere to see the place in, brooding and melancholy, but HORRIBLE for taking pictures.  Lady M. did the honors here as my legs were killing me by then; I have massaged these pics the best way I could.

[TBWG]

Hi

Although I have been to Phanom Rung many times I have never been up to the Buriram big Buddha.

Anyway don't need to now I have seen your great pics 


TBWG

[Bruce Mangosteen]

Hi

Although I have been to Phanom Rung many times I have never been up to the Buriram big Buddha.

Anyway don't need to now I have seen your great pics 


TBWG

Thanks mate. 

[buriramboy]

Great photos! 

[Bruce Mangosteen]

Great photos! 

Cheers. 

[Bruce Mangosteen]