Major city · Thailand
Surinสุรินทร์
Give Surin one night for the Khmer prasat and the night market; add a second only for the November Elephant Roundup or the silk villages.
Surin is a small Isaan provincial capital of about 40,000 people, 450 km east of Bangkok and 50 km from the Cambodian border. It is a base for Khmer-era temple ruins, silk-weaving villages and the November Elephant Roundup. The town itself is quiet and walkable; most sights sit outside it and need a songthaew, tuk-tuk or hired car.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- THB
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- avoid Mar–May (hot and dry), Sep–Oct (wettest)
- Airports
- BFV · BKK
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Thailand ↗Check entry rules and any arrival card on the official Thai government sites for your passport; visa-exempt stays and pre-arrival forms change.
- Thailand ↗Do not criticise or mock the monarchy: insulting the royal family is a criminal offence.
- Thailand ↗Temples and palaces: shoulders and knees covered, shoes off before entering halls.
- Thailand ↗E-cigarettes and vapes are illegal to import or use; do not pack them.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Surin191 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Surin, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Thai baht (THB, ฿).Thailand-wide
- SIM or eSIMAIS and TrueMove H sell tourist SIMs at airport arrivals; passport registration is required.Thailand-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.Thailand-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: Leave ฿20–100 (≈ US$1–4) or the coins; skip it if a 10% service charge is on the bill.Thailand-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B/C/O. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Thailand-wide
- SafetySurin is a low-crime provincial town; the real issues are overcharging on tuk-tuks, hot-season heat…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in malls and hotels; squat toilets with a water bucket in rural stops.Thailand-wide
- Emergency numbers191 police · 1669 ambulance and rescue · 1155 tourist police (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany Bangkok street-food vendors stay off the main roads on Mondays (street-cleaning day in several districts)…Thailand-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBFV Buriram Airport (Nearest commercial airport, about 1.5–2 h by road; limited flights.
- Getting aroundThe centre is small enough to walk.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or iced drink฿40–80 (≈ US$2–3)
- Street or quick mealNoodle soup or rice plate฿50–100 (≈ US$2–4)
- Beerdraught in a bar / can at a shop฿70–120 (≈ US$3–4)฿35–60 (≈ US$2)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Tuk-tuk, short hop฿50–60 (≈ US$2) (check)
- Museum or sight ticketSongthaew to the National Museum฿10 (≈ under US$1) (check)
- Budget bedGuesthouse or hostel bed, a night, per person฿300 (≈ US$10)
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per room฿1,400 (≈ US$45)
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per room฿3,000 (≈ US$95)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ฿700 (≈ US$25) · Mid ฿1,500 (≈ US$50) · High ฿3,000 (≈ US$95)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BFV Buriram Airport (Nearest commercial airport, about 1.5–2 h by road; limited flights. Check schedules.) · BKK Bangkok Suvarnabhumi / Don Mueang (Most travellers arrive by bus or train from Bangkok, about 6–8.5 h.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Feb
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Mar
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Apr
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
May
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Jun
not flagged
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Jul
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Nov–Feb. Avoid: Mar–May, Sep–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)), coolest Jan (17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C) low), wettest Sep (19 rain days), driest Jan (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Surin: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1 rd
Feb
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
2 rd
Mar
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
4 rd
Apr
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
7 rd
May
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14 rd
Jun
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
18 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
19 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
4 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is small enough to walk. Samlors (rickshaws) and tuk-tuks cover short hops; agree the fare first. Songthaews run to outlying sights such as the National Museum. For the Khmer ruins and silk villages, hire a car with driver through your hotel or use local buses.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Prasat Sikhoraphum
goDoor to door: About 1–1.5 h
Train or bus towards Sikhoraphum, then a short ride to the ruins
Five prang on a laterite base; the Shiva lintel is the draw. Quiet site, go early.
Elephant Study Centre, Ban Ta Klang
cautionDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Bus or hired car to Tha Tum, about 60 km (37 mi)Bus or hired car to Tha Tum, about 37 mi (60 km)
Open 8:30–16:30 daily, entry about ฿100 (check). Riding and chaining are part of the shows — decide if that suits you.Open 8:30 AM–4:30 PM daily, entry about ฿100 (check). Riding and chaining are part of the shows — decide if that suits you.
Phanom Sawai Forest Park
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Hired car or songthaew from town
Three peaks with a temple and viewpoints; the March festival draws crowds.
Khwao Sinarin silk village
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Hired car or local bus, about 20 km (12 mi) northHired car or local bus, about 12 mi (20 km) north
Hol silk cloth and silver buttons; buy direct from the weavers.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre near the railway station
Guesthouses and small hotels, walkable to the night market and City Pillar Shrine.
Thong Tarin Hotel area
The main cluster of bars, restaurants and larger hotels; a short tuk-tuk ride from the station.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ฿700–1,200 (≈ US$25–40) excl. bed
- Mid
- ฿1,200–2,500 (≈ US$40–80) excl. bed
- High
- ฿2,500 (≈ US$80)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room1 × 1 night × ฿1,400 | ฿1,400 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ฿1,500 | ฿3,000 |
| Bangkok (Mo Chit) to Surin bus, one way2 × ฿500 · check | ฿1,000 |
| Bangkok to Surin ordinary train, one way2 × ฿300 · check; about 8.5 h | ฿600 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ฿300 | ฿600 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ฿660 |
| Trip total≈ ฿3,630 per person per day, bed included | ฿7,260≈ US$250 |
2026 estimate in baht; long-distance travel to Surin excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or iced drink | ฿40–80 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Noodle soup or rice plate | ฿50–100 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Isaan sausage or gai yang at the night market | ฿30–80 (≈ US$1–3) |
| Beer: draught in a bar / can at a shop | ฿70–120 (≈ US$3–4) / ฿35–60 (≈ US$2) |
| Samlor ride in the centre | ฿40 (≈ US$2) (check) |
| Tuk-tuk, short hop | ฿50–60 (≈ US$2) (check) |
| Songthaew to the National Museum | ฿10 (≈ under US$1) (check) |
| Taxi return to Ta Meuan ruins | about ฿2,000 (≈ US$65) (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Fares quoted to foreigners run higher than local rates: agree the price before you get in.
- Some Khmer ruins near the Cambodian border are remote and unsigned; land-mine warnings apply off the paths at Ta Meuan — stay on marked ground.
- The November Elephant Roundup fills every room in town: book weeks ahead.
- English is limited outside hotels; signs at bus and train stations are mostly in Thai.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 191
- Ambulance and rescue
- 1669
- Tourist police
- 1155
Pocket card
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Surinสุรินทร์
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ไปที่ที่อยู่นี้To this address, please
Emergency
- Police191
- Ambulance and rescue1669
- Tourist police1155
Embassy
No embassies in Surin; most are in Bangkok. US citizens: American Citizen Services at the US Embassy, Bangkok.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Samlor in the centre: ฿40 (≈ US$2) (check)
- Tuk-tuk short hop: ฿50–60 (≈ US$2) (check)
- Surin to Chong Chom minibus: ฿60 (≈ US$2)
Say or show
- สวัสดี — Hello (sawatdee)
- ขอบคุณ — Thank you (khop khun)
- เท่าไหร่ — How much is it? (tao rai)
- แพงไป — Too expensive (phaeng pai)
- ไม่เผ็ด — Not spicy, please (mai phet)
- ห้องน้ำอยู่ไหน — Where is the toilet? (hong nam yu nai)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Surin. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Feb · avoid Mar–May (hot and dry), Sep–Oct (wettest) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for BFV and the Bangkok bus/train arrivals: last departures, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: station and night market, City Pillar Shrine and monument roundabout, museum road.
- Place pages with verified hours (National Museum, Elephant Study Centre, Sikhoraphum) and eat pages with night-market last orders.
- November Roundup fixture so gates A–D can go green on the busiest week.
Sources
- officialTourism Authority of Thailand — Surin
- officialSurin municipality
- officialState Railway of Thailand
- secondaryWikivoyage: Surin, revision 5237260 (CC BY-SA 4.0)