The King Rama I memorial is located in the middle of the roundabout at the main intersection in the city of Buriram. The statue of the King, mounted on an elephant is a reminder of his strong connections with the city.
During the Thonburi period (1776), King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (King Rama I), then Chao Phraya Chakri, led troops to suppress the rebel governor of Nang Rong, now a district of Buriram Province. After the mission was successfully carried out, he found a deserted town near Chorakhe Mak creek where he and his troops stopped by on the way back to the capital. The town was situated in a good location but was located in a malaria affected area that the local people dared not settle in. The general therefore recruited people from Talung, Surin, Sangkha and Khukhan to establish a new settlement there. The new town was called Mueang Pae as there were many pae trees (vitex quinata will) in the area. These great deeds earnt him the highest noble rank, Somdet Chao Phraya Maha Kasat Suek. Mueng Pae town gradually became prosperous and was renamed ‘Buriram’ during the reign of Rama V.