Where to stay in Surin – elephants, silk and Khmer temples
Surin city, the elephant village of Ban Ta Klang and the Khmer temples near the Cambodian border. Where to stay and when to visit.
Surin is a province in southern Isan on the Cambodian border. It is best known for the Elephant Round-up in November and for its long tradition of elephant keeping among the Kui people. It also has silk-weaving villages and Khmer temple ruins.
Choosing where to stay
- Surin city has most of the hotels and restaurants, a night market and the stadium that hosts the Elephant Round-up.
- Ban Ta Klang, about 60 km north, is a Kui village where elephants live with their mahouts. Its Elephant World centre explains the relationship between the community and its elephants.
- The southern border area has Prasat Ta Muen, a group of Khmer temples on the old royal road from Angkor.
Things to do
Visit the silk-weaving village of Ban Tha Sawang, known for fine brocade; the Khmer sanctuaries of Prasat Sikhoraphum and Prasat Ta Muen; and the elephant village of Ban Ta Klang.
When to go
The cool season from November to February is the most comfortable. The Elephant Round-up is usually held on the third weekend of November.
Getting there
Surin is on the north-eastern railway line from Bangkok, and buses run from Bangkok’s Northern Bus Terminal. The nearest airport with regular flights is Buri Ram.
Festivals and events
Surin Elephant Round-upSurin's annual elephant festival in November. What happens, the ethical questions to consider and how to plan a visit.
