My friend and I are considering a trip by car to Cambodia via Buriram where he has a friend and asked for info and some details . This came today from Destination Thailand news.
A search has not located much [any] gay life here. Maybe others can help.
Buriram тАУ ease yourself into Isan
Posted on September 26, 2014 Posted in Destination Feature, Destination North East, Headline News | Leave a comment | Print Print | Email Email
ThailandтАЩs a pretty popular place. People have been visiting the kingdom for centuries not only to trade, but to travel and explore. Nowadays, tourists seek out perfect islands and beaches, or trek in the mountains and mists of the North.
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But Isan, the largest region of Thailand, remains largely untouched and unexplored by outsiders тАУ a mystery to overseas tourists and urban Thais alike. People regard the Northeast, with its flat, productive plains as the kingdomтАЩs rice bowl but bereft of culture.
In fact, there is much to be enjoyed here in Isan, whether you are a nature lover, a culture vulture, a pilgrim, a foodie or a football fan. So where to start exploring?
Well, the gateway into Isan from Bangkok is the province of Buriram which has enough to fascinate anyone with a couple of days to spare.
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Around 1,000 years ago, and up until the 13th century, the Isan region was part of the Khmer Empire, so is home to ThailandтАЩs best preserved Khmer temples, including Phimai, Khao Phra Viharn and of course BuriramтАЩs famous Prasat Hin Phanom Rung which sits atop a volcano.
These are stunning examples of Khmer architecture and relatively unexplored by tourists. And with CambodiaтАЩs Angkor Wat being increasingly busier these days, small and exquisite Prasat Hin Phanom Rung with its grand staircase and intricate carvings offers a great alternative
But tourists, who want the feel of a lost temple, should also head to Muang Tam, a Siva-dedicated temple sitting in the shadow of Phanom RungтАЩs mighty mountain throne.
It was a grey day when I visited Muang Tam, but the fine rain silenced the birds and added sanctity to the ruins, set in their fragrant park. The 11th century temple feels like a forgotten film set and just outside the gates is the huge Barai or Muang Tam reservoir symbolising the ocean surrounding Mount Meru, home of the Hindu Gods.
Clamber through the mighty east-facing opening gate and you find yourself flanked by two L-shaped reservoirs (of four that symmetrically surround the central area of the temple.) BuriramтАЩs ubiquitous Naga sculptures border these pools and brick laterite steps lead down to the water, where the devout once bathed before entering the main sanctuary.
The central part of Muang Tam is made up of a four-sided gallery surrounding central prangs. Lovers of Khmer art should look out for the intricately carved lintels above the main entrances, (at each point of the compass). One of the best, on the northern tower, shows Uma and her consort Shiva riding the bull Nandi.
But you do not have to be an enthusiast to enjoy Muang Tam. It is the atmosphere and relative solitude that makes the place so special. During my visit, the only other person I saw in the temple was a smiling man with a bent umbrella. It is a totally different experience to that offered by Phanom Rung.
Phanom Rung of course stands out because it is on top of a volcano, but Buriram offers many other peaks to explore and the volcanos are popular with locals looking to escape the flatness and heat of the rice plains.
The best-known peak is found at Kradong Volcano Forest Park. Over 265 metres high, it is a great place to take in the views and walk among the trees, and the crater itself can be crossed via an impressive suspension footbridge. If you are there at the right time of year, it is customary to have a giggle at one of the local plants, the Yoni Pisat (or DevilтАЩs Vagina) tree, with its fruits that evoke a ladyтАЩs naughty parts.
To get to the top, you can take the striking Naga Raj Staircase. Though lovely, 209 steps was too much for me, so I simply drove up the spiralling back roads to the peak. You pass many Buddha statues among the trees though these are tiny compared with the massive seated Buddha image (Phra Suphattharabophit) which looks out over Buriram Town. The colossal gold image is certainly too big to have created the BuddhaтАЩs Footprint which lies nearby, a popular place of veneration for local Buddhists.
The statute also looks out over the sparkling 32,600-seater stadium of Buriram United F.C where Thai football fans pay homage to their local heroes тАУ the team were the triple champions in 2011 winning the Thai Premier League, the Thai FA Cup and the League Cup. Tours of the stadium, known to fans as Thunder Stadium are offered if you want a taste of ThailandтАЩs rapidly growing home-grown football scene.
If you have a car all these attractions are easily reached and are just a few of the gems of Buriram. But they give you a taste to explore Isan further. Other wonders await and it is time that the great Northeast became better known, so ease yourself inтАж you will enjoy it.
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Originally Posted by pong
