"Surin - A general guide" Surin by pullan

Surin town is located approximately 450 kilometres North East of Bangkok, about half way between Nakorn Ratchasima (Khorat) and Ubon Ratchathani (Lat 14.90, Long 103.50). The population of the town is in the region of 150,000, the majority being of Khmer and Laos decent. Thai is the main language of the area but many, particularly older residents, speak Khmern, Laos, and/or Suway.

Surin can be reached from Bangkok by air (to Buriram Airport near Satuk), train (regular services throughout the day) or bus. By private car or taxi, take the route through Saraburi, Khorat and Buriram.

The main industry in Surin Province is agriculture, and the most prevalent crop is rice (khow). The land is very flat which facilitates paddy field construction. It is apparent that around 80% of the provinces population is either farming or at least involved in farming during part of the year (planting and harvesting).

There are two seasons in the Surin Province of Thailand; the hot wet season (between April and October) and the cool dry season (between November and March). The average temperature in the hot wet season is 30oC (but can rise as high as 43oC) and the average in the cool dry season is 23oC falling as low as 10oC at night. Precipitation averages in the region are 20 mm/month in the dry season and 180 mm/month in the wet season. September is normally the wettest month and January the driest.

There are a number of hotels in Surin, prices ranging from Bht 100.00 (US$2.50) to Bht 800.00 (US$20.00) per night for standard rooms.

Surin is being hailed as the potential new gateway to Angkor Wat in Kampuchia and is benefiting from new construction particularly road up-grades. The Thai/Khmer border is only 70 kilometres to the south of Surin at Chong Chom.

Sights in the area are generally old Khmer temples, the main ones being at Phnom Rung (Buriram Province) and Khow Pra Vihan (Sisaket Province). In addition, once a year in November, up to 300 elephants arrive in town from all over the North East for the three day Surin Elephant Roundup.

The parade of the elephants

The weekend proper starts with the parade of the elephants through the centre of the town on the Friday morning. The elephants and floats congregate by the railway station and thereafter parade down Tanasan Road to what is locally called the "Elephant Roundabout". Here, the local population has already set up trestle tables of food for the "elephant breakfast". After a few words of welcome from the local dignitaries, the elephants are allowed to eat their fill of fruits and vegetables (65 tonnes were provided in 2005).

The elephants and mahoots then make their way to the "Elephant Stadium" for the rehearsal of the weekend's highlight, the "Elephant Roundup".

The official show is on the Saturday and repeated on the Sunday. Here the elephants and mahoots show their skills and strengths to both locals and tourists alike. The show culminates in a re-enactment of the historic battles between the Thai, Laos and Khmer armies.