Surin

Surin is a big province on Mun River Basin in Lower Northeast of Thailand. It is well known, locally and international, for its elephant. The gigantic animal of Surin impresses everyone with loveliness, cleverness and creates unique character of the province. Surin people have long relationship with elephant which becomes icon of the province now. Plenty of Khmer Ruins, beautiful silk and famous jasmine rice make Surin a very interesting destination.

In historical aspect, Surin’s story can be dated back thousands of year B.C. when Suay or Kuay ethnic group migrated along Mekong River to settle around Dongrek Range. Kuay ethnic people, found in Thailand and Laos, is talent in catching and training elephant. Some 2,000 years ago, during Khmer Era, Surin town was established. After the fall of Khmer Empire, the town was neglected until 1763, when Luang Surin Pakdi (Chiang Poom) headman of Muang Tee Village, led his people to settle at Ban Khu Prakai, in present Surin City. He was promoted as the first mayor later.

Surin is some 457 kilometres from Bangkok. The province acquires total area of 8,124 square kilometres and it can be divided into 17 Amphoes namely Mueang Surin, Chumphon Buri, Tha Tum, Chom Phra, Prasat, Kap Choeng, Rattanaburi, Phanom, Si Khoraphum, Sangkha, Samrong Thap, Buachet, Lamduan, Si Narong, Phanom Dong Rak, Khwao Sinarin, and Non Narai.