Phanom Rung lies around 65 km south of Buriram city, just 12 km off Highway No. 24.
Phanom Rung is an ancient temple and resting place. One in a string of temples built for pilgrims traveling between Angkor and India back before there was a Siamese kingdom. Muang Singh, Khao Phi Mai and Khao Phra Viharn are some of the other famous rest stops.
Over 1,000 years old, Prasat Hin Phanom Rung is situated on top of one of Buriram's extinct volcanoes. This sandstone monastery is 400 meters above sea level and was originally dedicated to Shiva and his heavenly abode, the holy mountain of Kailash.
The regional chief of Thailand's national park service has unfortunately unilaterally decided the no foreigner can get in to visit Phanom Rung without paying the full price (seven times higher than the Thai price) irrespective of whether the foreigner has a work permit or a residence permit, thus paying Thai income taxes.
