The Phanom Rung Historical Park

19 Dec 2023

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Phanom Rung Historical Park Buriram

The Phanom Rung Historical Park, also known as Phanom Rung Stone Castle, is one of the historical parks in Thailand under the care of the Fine Arts Department, Ministry of Culture. It is one of the stone castles in the Khmer temple group, situated in Moo 2 (Ban Don Nong Nae), Tambon Ta Pek, Amphoe Chaloem Phra Kiat, approximately 77 kilometers south of the city of Buriram. The site comprises significant archaeological remains located on the summit of an extinct volcano, rising about 200 meters from the plain (approximately 350 meters above sea level).

The name “Phanom Rung” comes from the Khmer language, where “Vong Rung” translates to “large hill.”

Currently, Phanom Rung Stone Castle is being considered for inclusion as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, similar to other stone castles in the Khmer temple group. It is the most renowned among Thailand’s Khmer stone castles and holds great importance as a major tourist attraction in Buriram province. Additionally, it is a prominent symbol of Buriram province and serves as the background image for the logo of the Buriram United football club.

Phanom Rung Historical Park

Phanom Rung History:

The pathway leading to Phanom Rung Stone Castle Phanom Rung Stone Castle is a Hindu shrine constructed over several centuries, from the 15th to the 17th Buddhist centuries. In the 18th Buddhist century, during the reign of King Chaiyavaraman VII of the Khmer Empire, it was converted to embrace Theravada Buddhism. It has undergone continuous renovations and constructions.

Originally built from pink sandstone, Phanom Rung Stone Castle is situated on the summit of Phanom Rung hill, 1,320 feet above sea level. “Phanom Rung” translates to “large hill,” and it is believed to have been constructed during the 15th to 18th centuries.

Inscriptions and various readings by scholars suggest that King Ramesuan II of the Kingdom of Khmer (1487-1511) initiated the construction of a sacred site on Mount Phanom Rung. It was initially modest in size. Later, during the reign of King Chaiyavaraman V (1511-1544), extensive lands and slaves were dedicated to the Phanom Rung sanctuary. In the 17th Buddhist century, Narenthiratit, the ruler of the region (from the lineage of King Suraiwongse II, the founder of the city of Wat Nakhon) erected this castle, showing deep devotion and gratitude towards Phanom Rung.

Tap Lang Narai Batomsin

The “Tap Lang Narai Batomsin” or “Wisnu Anantasayin Patamnapha” (referring to Lord Vishnu standing above Anantana, with a lotus blooming from his navel) sculpture was enshrined above the entrance gate facing east of Phanom Rung Castle in Amphoe Chaloem Phra Kiat, Buriram Province.

This particular sculpture had gone missing from Phanom Rung Castle, and it was discovered that it had been taken for display at the Chicaco Art Institute in the United States. The Thai people collectively campaigned to reclaim it, and it was successfully brought back to its original location on December 7, 2531 BE (1988 CE).

Phanom Rung Historical Park

Location:

Tambon Ta Pek, Amphoe Chaloem Phra Kiat, Buriram Province Post box 3, Telegram Office Nang Rong, Buriram Province, 31110

Office Hours:

Open daily, no exception of the holidays and the official holidays from 6.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m.

Admission Fee:

1) The entrance fee

The name of Historical Site	The entrance fee per person (THB)
	Thai Nationality		Other Nationalities
	Retail card	Charter card	Retail card	Charter card
Phanom Rung Historical Park	20THB	30THB	100THB	150THB

2) The vehicles fee for getting to the historical site (in a case of entering the gate 3, the back of Prasat Phanom Rung)

(1) 10 THB for bicycle

(2) 20 THB for tricycle bike or motorcycle

(3) 30 THB for motor tricycle

(4) 50 THB for car

3) Person who are excepted the admission fee

(1) Monk and novice of Buddhism or priest and ascetic of other religions

(2) Uniformed students or non-uniformed student with the student identity card that authority by the Educational Institution

(3) Student included teacher and instructor in a case of school or educational institution which requested for group visiting

(4) Disabled people and disadvantaged

(5) Person who are invited or welcomed by Director General

(6) Competent Official under the law of historical site, antiquities, objet d’art, and national museum

(7) Veteran that showed the government issued card

(8) Over 6o years old person and Thai nationality which showed the identity card

(9) Member of the International Council on Monuments and Sites and member of the International Council of museums which showed the member card

(10) Member of the Council on Monuments and Sites (Thailand) which showed the member card

(11) Volunteer member for preservation and protection of cultural heritage which showed the member card

For more information:

Telephone: 0-4466-6251

Fax: 0-4466-6252

E–mail: Phnomrungoffice@yahoo.co.th

Transportation:

From Bangkok, take a highway number 1 and 2, the distances about 295 kilometers and 101 kilometers from Nakhon Ratchasima Province to Amphoe Nang Rong. From Amphoe Nang Rong, go along with the highway number 24 (Chok Chai – Det Udom Route) to Ban Tako, you will see the junction in the right which is the route to Phanom Rung. It is a paved road with the distances about 12 kilometers. When you followed this route, you will see the new road named Hiranyaviti which is the road to the hill top that the location of Prasat Phanom Rung. If you come from Amphoe Prakhon Chai, it will have the highway passed Ban Chorakhe Mak and Prasat Muang Tam to Phanom Rung Mountain, the distances about 18 kilometers.

Thanks images from Phanom Rung Historical Park, https://www.prd.go.th