Top 14 Things To Do In Surin, Thailand: A Cultural Paradise

Top 14 Things To Do In Surin, Thailand: A Cultural Paradise
Evelyn
Evelyn 
Updated
| 7 min read

Surin is home to Khmer influences, art, sericulture (or silk production), and gorgeous national parks - it’s definitely a destination in Thailand you should consider visiting for a few days. The countryside of this northern province is filled with hidden gems, making day trips unique and interesting, so pick a home base and start planning your trip with these 14 things to do in Surin!

1. Learn about silk at the Queen Sirikit Sericulture Centre

Queen Sirikit Botanical Gardens, Mae Sa Valley
Source: Photo by Flickr user Cédric Liénart used under CC BY-SA 2.0

The Queen Sirikit Sericulture Centre is an initiative by Queen Sirikit to maintain the Thai silk industry and its heritage - centres bearing this name can be found in Surin province and in other provinces throughout the country. It is a community hub for both educating foreigners about Thai silk and for generating income for local residents.

The centre offers guided educational tours, on the full silk-making process, and includes care of silkworms, how silk can be used in medical treatments, silk dyeing, and more. You can even pick up some sericulture items at the gift shop to remember your trip by!

Queen Sirikit Sericulture Centre

Address: Rte 226, Surin, Thailand

Price: Free

Opening Hours: 8 am - 4.30 pm daily. Closed on public holidays.

Duration: around 2 hours required.

Contact: +66 (44) 511 393

Website: Queen Sirikit Sericulture Centre

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2. Save the elephants with the Save Elephant Foundation

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

If you love animals, especially elephants, and want to help them, have an experience unique to Thailand through the Save Elephant Foundation. This is a charity organisation that works with communities in and around Thailand to help save elephants.

Volunteer projects are available in Surin, including a 7-day experience that will educate you on elephants and animal tourism in the province. You pay a fee for room and board and for the chance to feed and take care of elephants. This is the perfect attraction for ecotourists and animal lovers.

Save Elephant Foundation - Surin Project

Address: 1 Ratmakka Road, Phra Sing, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

Price: 13,000 THB (377.76 USD)

Opening Hours: by reservation only - begins on Mondays.

Duration: 7 days required

Contact: +66 (0) 53 272 855

Website: Save Elephant Foundation - Surin Project

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3. Stop by the San Lak Muang

Lak Muang stone
Source: Photo by Flickr user Gusjer used under CC BY 2.0

If you’re not used to travelling in Thailand, it might be surprising to know that the San Lak Muang, or City Pillar Shrine, can be found in every province in Thailand. It has an interesting history, starting with the idea that these were built in accordance with ancient customs. What you need to know, however, is that it is a great attraction in which to spend some time.

The San Lak Muang that can be found in Surin is an incredible sight and highly revered by the Thai. The shrine also houses statues of deities and you can leave some donations in the form of flowers and gifts. Take the time to stop by the Surin San Lak Muang before you start your day.

San Lak Muang

Address: Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok, Thailand

Price: Free

Opening Hours: 8 am - 4 pm daily

Duration: around 15 minutes required

Access: Just south of the Royal Palace

Website: San Lak Muang

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4. Get lost in Phanom Sawai Forest Park

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

If you hear bells, then you’re most likely in Phanom Sawai Forest Park. This gorgeous, hilltop forest houses a giant white Buddha, various shrines, waterfalls, a pond, and trails that you can traverse for scenic photographs. It’s a great afternoon trip!

You’ll want to take some food and drinks with you if you’re planning to spend the day in the park because unlike many other parks, there aren’t a lot of dining options. Also, be careful when walking around because elephants do roam wild here!

Phanom Sawai Forest Park

Address: Na Bua, Mueang Surin District, Surin 32000, Thailand

Price: Free

Opening Hours: 6 am - 6 pm daily

Duration: 1-2 hours required.

Access: 22 km (13.7 miles) from Surin City Hall; 6 km (3.7 miles) from Highway No. 214

Website: Phanom Sawai Forest Park

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5. Learn about the province at the Surin National Museum

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Culture and history meet at the Surin National Museum, a great attraction that will teach you everything you need to know about Surin Province. Subjects the museum covers include archaeology, traditional industries, history, culture, and architecture.

Because the province was under Khmer and Angkor rule during those respective empires, expect to see a lot of history that touch on both of these periods of rule. And don’t worry, if you don’t speak Thai, most of the exhibitions have English translations that accompany them.

Surin National Museum

Address: Chaniang, Mueang Surin District, Surin 32000, Thailand

Price: 50 THB (1.45 USD)

Opening Hours: Wednesday - Sunday, 9 am - 4 pm

Duration: around 3 hours required.

Contact: +66 (44) 513 358

Website: Surin National Museum

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6. Pay your respects at Wat Burapharam

Wat Burapharam - Surin
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user JJ Harrison used under CC BY 3.0

Wat Burapharam is in the centre of Surin and is one of the most beautiful temples in the province, so keep it in mind when building your itinerary. It is also the home of a replica of the country’s national Buddha, the original of which sits in Phitsanulok.

Remember to dress appropriately when visiting this temple and be respectful of the Buddhist monks. You will be given the opportunity to release little birds for good luck and take photographs of the Wat as well as buying souvenirs that help with the maintenance of the temple. It’s a great morning trip, so get here early!

Wat Burapharam

Address: Nai Mueang, Mueang Surin District, Surin 32000, Thailand

Price: Free

Opening Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 9 am - 5 pm; closed on public holidays.

Duration: around 1 hour required.

Access: located in Surin City Centre

Contact: +66 (81) 867 7864

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7. Learn about Khmer history at Prasat Mueang Thi

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Not to be confused with Prasat Mueang Tam, which is located near Chiang Mai, this is a small Khmer temple. It is attended to by both Thai and Cambodian soldiers, many of which will be happy to ask any questions you have about the site.

This small temple has three prangs, or tiered towers, that are in disrepair, but it’s still a fascinating attraction, considering that there are officers here, who are eager to give you more history. If you’re on your way to Prasat Si Khoraphum, take a detour for about an hour and spend some time here.

Prasat Mueang Thi

Address: Mueang, Surin, Thailand

Price: Free

Opening Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 8 am - 4 pm

Duration: around 30 minutes required.

Access: South of Surin, bordering Cambodia, on Road 2407

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8. View Khmer art at Prasat Si Khoraphum

Ruins_of_Buriram-33
Source: Photo by Flickr user John Shedrick used under CC BY 2.0

If you’re a fan of Khmer monuments, schedule a trip to Prasat Si Khoraphum, a 12th-century Khmer monument that was built as a Hindu temple to the god Shiva. It is best known for the bas-reliefs of the temple, the five prangs, or towers, and the fact that it was renovated in the 16th-century to become a Buddhist temple.

You will want to take photos of the lintel, which features Shiva, dancing, and two apsara, or celestial dancers, below it. These are of historical and artistic significance because it’s rare to find well-preserved lintels of Shiva in the country.

Prasat Si Khoraphum

Address: Ra Ngang, Sikhoraphum District, Surin 32110, Thailand

Price: 50 THB (1.45 USD)

Opening Hours: 7.30 am - 6 pm daily

Duration: around 1 hour required.

Contact: +66 (94) 870 6448

Website: Prasat Si Khoraphum

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9. See a generations-old tradition at Ban Buthom Basketry Village

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

About 14 km (8.7 miles) away from Surin sits the Ban Buthom Basketry Village, a community that comes alive after the harvest season, when many of the village residents take up basket-weaving as a way to make extra money when not at their rice fields. These baskets feature generations-old techniques, done entirely by hand, making them a great souvenir to take home.

The village can be quiet during the growing season, so be sure to visit after January, when the harvest season ends. That’s when you’ll find a bustling village and there are dining options, as well.

Ban Buthom Basketry Village

Address: Mueang Thi, Mueang Surin District, Surin 32000, Thailand

Price: Free

Opening Hours: 7 am - 5 pm daily; weavers are present after the harvest season.

Duration: around 2 hours required.

Access: 14 km (8.7 miles) from Highway 226

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10. Spend the morning at Wat Nong Bua

DSCF2812
Source: Photo by Flickr user sluj78 used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Anyone who loves cultural history will be interested in Wat Nong Bua. As the second-largest Buddhist temple in the city, it’s an important building for history enthusiasts, both for its architectural marvels and the Thai Lü village that is set up right behind the wat.

The temple itself hosts jataka murals, thought to be done by Thit Buaphan, who has done work on other temples, as well as other marvels. While admission is free, a donation is appreciated as are any purchases made at the village, that help to maintain the temple.

Wat Nong Bua

Address: Pa Kha, Tha Wang Pha District, Nan 55140, Thailand

Price: Free

Opening Hours: Wednesday - Sunday, 8.30 am - 4.30 pm

Duration: around 1 hour required.

Website: Wat Nong Bua

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11. See the majestic wonder of Wat Thepserin in Surin

Luang Wat Thepsirin,
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user trungydang used under CC BY 3.0

Travelers who enjoy structural attractions and architecture will enjoy exploring the scenic “old Bangkok” of Thailand where Surin lies. In the province of Surin especially, several temples have become tourist attractions dating all the way back to the 1800s. Wat Thepserin is a beloved temple that is situated near Kasatuek Bridge and Hua Lam Phong railway station and has been around since 1893. This royal temple is popular for having a crematorium on one side and a monastic residence on the other. This tourist attraction is filled with enshrined images of Buddha and interiors boasting “lai rod nam” designs.“ Learn the rich history behind this Surin treasure and take the best angular shots of one of the most beloved temples in the country.

Wat Thepserin

Address: 1464 Krung Kasem Road | Wat Thepsirin, Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Bangkok 10100, Thailand

12. Learn more about Surin's water irrigation projects at Huai Saneng Reservoir

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Surin is a part of Thailand that happens to have quite the interesting hidden gems. From temples, springs, to beaches and reservoirs like the Huai Saneng Reservoir, indeed, Surin boasts potential for another great tourist attraction to visit apart from Bangkok and Krabi Islands. If you’re traveling with family and friends, Huai Saneng is an ideal place to tone down your travel plans and just enjoy sunset walks overlooking the town’s irrigation project turned scenic city attraction. This part of Surin is scattered with gorgeous water lilies and colonies of unique birds that will definitely catch the eye of a bird watcher. Simultaneously, learn about the reservoir’s impact on the local life of those living around the area and discover how Surin turned this water work into a scenic spot for locals and travelers alike.

Huai Saneng Reservoir

Address: Chaniang, Muang Surin, Surin 32000 Thailand

Opening hours: 24 hours, Mondays to Sundays

Contact: +664451 1966

13. Spend the day with the kiddos at the Saran Water Park

Water park
Source: Pixabay

Those traveling with kids and in families can take a day off from beach parties and snorkeling and check out the Saran Water Park. This water park in Surin is one of the best for kids and kids at heart who enjoy water slides, hot tubs, floaties, and other forms of water attractions to keep the young ones preoccupied. Saran Water Park is open daily from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, perfect for those who wish to spend afternoons with their kids sliding down the water park’s outrageous slides. Enjoy some family fun in Surin’s most beloved waterpark right before you go back to beach lounging around Surin’s white-sand beaches.

Saran Water Park

Address: 16 Tambon Nok Mueang, Amphoe Mueang Surin, Chang Wat Surin 32000, Thailand

Opening hours: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Sundays to Mondays

Duration: 8 hours

Contact: +66 93 329 9665

14. Spend your last day in Surin with a shopping spree at Robinson Lifestyle

Shopping mall
Source: Pixabay

It’s never a great trip if you don’t spend your last day shopping around the best stalls and getting the best bargains from local stores. Visit Robinson Lifestyle mall in Salak Dai Subdistrict and shop from a variety of options in retailers like Carnival and Banana among other department stores, or see a movie at the SF Cinema City. Whatever you like to do on a leisure day, there’s definitely something for you when in Robinson. Get that last minute souvenir-shopping done and see what local products and Thai goods are best sold in one of Surin’s prized shopping establishments.

Robinson Lifestyle Mall Surin

Address: 338 Moo 16 | Salak Dai Subdistrict, Surin 32000, Thailand

Website: Robinson Lifestyle Mall

Opening hours: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Sundays to Mondays

Contact: +66 44 042 811

Immerse yourself in the culture of Surin

Surin Thailand
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Luc Ockers used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Whether you’re a fan of elephants or love poking around Khmer ruins, you’ll find something to do in Surin. This area is a little-visited but much-loved province of Thailand and it definitely will pique your curiosity once you get there. So what are you waiting for? Grab a map and make the trip to this cultural paradise today!

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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