Buriram (, , , 'city of happiness') is a town (thesaban mueang) in Thailand, capital of Buriram Province, about northeast of Bangkok. The town occupies tambon Nai Mueang of Mueang Buriram District. In 2012 it had a population of 27,862. History Almost a thousand years ago, the present-day Buriram was part of the Khmer Empire. Ruins from that time attest to its destruction. The most significant of them is on an extinct volcano and is protected in the Phanom Rung Historical Park. According to inscriptions found, Buriram's ruler recognized the hegemony of the Khmer Empire's emperor. Before the ascent of Bangkok, little was known about Buriram. In the early Bangkok Period, in the early-19th century, the town originally called Muang Pae was renamed Buriram. After administrative reforms in the late 19th century, Buriram was incorporated into Siam as a province. Administration divisions There are 18 chumchons (villages) () in Buriram. Geography Buriram is in the centre of Buriram Province. Buriram has no significant waterways. It has a creek, Huai Chorakhe Mak, the Buriram moat (or Khlong Lalom), Nong Prue, and Huai Chorakhe Mak and Huai Talat reservoirs. Infrastructure Communications Buriram has a post office, TOT, the national telecom company, a CAT office and two radio stations: Radio Thailand AM and Radio Thailand FM. Electricity All of the houses in Buriram area (6,097 in total) have access to electricity. The Buriram Provincial Electricity Authority (Buriram PEA) is the main supplier. Water supply There are 6,097 houses which use municipal water in Buriram. Total consumption is 18,000-19,000 cubic meters a day. Huai Chorakhe Reservoir is the source of Buriram's water. Huai Talat Reservoir is the reserve water supply. Health The main hospital in Buriram is Buriram Hospital, operated by the Ministry of Public Health. Climate Weather Economy The bulk of the local economy is agricultural and the tourist industry that is a prominent feature in much of the rest of the country has yet to make a significant impact. Key agricultural crops include rice and cassava. The main languages spoken in Buriram are central Thai, Lao, and Khmer. Sports Buriram has a football club, Buriram United F.C., which plays at Chang Arena. The construction of top-tier racetrack Chang International Circuit started in March 2013 and opened on 4 October 2014. The track is an FIA Grade I certified circuit, suitable for Formula One racing, and hosted a Japanese Super GT round in