Backpacking in Thailand - 20 Dec 09

We took an overnight train from Bangkok (10pm) and arrived at Buriram at 7am.

After a simple breakfast of noodles at the railway station, we took a tutuk to the bus station and took a 45min bus ride to Nang Rong, a small town near to the ruins we wanted to visit.

We checked into the Honey Inn guesthouse which was just a short walk from the Nang Rong bus station. We caught a nap before heading out to the ruins in the afternoon.

We chartered a pickup to bring us to Prasat Meuang Tam and Prasat Phanon Rung for the afternoon. It cost us 1000 baht, including the service of the driver for about 5 hours (1pm - 6pm).

Prasat Meuang Tam


Prasat Meuang Tam is restored Khmer temple. The restored ruins is set in a pleasant garden surrounded by laterite walls. Galleries surround five prangs, which are similar to those found at Angkor Wat.

The most obvious similarity with Angkor Wat are the window grills.














Prasat Phanon Rung

Prasat Phanon Rung is one of the grandest temple ruins in Northeast Thailand region. It is set atop a hill on the Korat plateau.

The approach to the temple features an impressive promenade the leads up to the temple. There is a naga bridge just before the steps leading up to the temple.

The center of the temple is a huge impressive prasat. This is a Hindu temple. On the lintels, there are carvings of various Hindu gods such as Indra, Siva, Vishnu and Brahma. Within the prasat, there is a Shiva Linga as well as the sacred cow Nandi.

Most people visit Phanon Rung visit and then Meuang Tam. However, I would advise to do the trip the other way round. Meuang Tam is set within a garden and the shady trees offer relief from the hot sun. After Meuang Tam, then you head to Phanon Rung and wait to sunset. The evening sun casts a beautiful golden glow on the prasat and you get to see the sun setting over the flat Korat plateau.















Night market

Nang Rong is a small town along the major highway in Northeastern Thailand. There is nothing much in the town, but the night market is a very vibrant and interesting one.

The night market near the bus station is pretty big. The interesting thing is that there are stall selling meat and vegetables as well, which is normally not found in night markets. And of course there are all sorts of interesting snacks. We just snacked through the market. Unfortunately, the market close pretty early. The stalls start to close at about 8pm.