Surin is famous for its silk, its elephants, and its first ruler, Phraya Surin Phakdi Si Narong Wang, from whom it derives its name. A modern statue in the town depicts the leader dressed to go into battle. A member of the Suay tribe, Phraya Surin became ruler of Surin in 1760 when, according to legend, he was instrumental in recapturing an escaped royal white elephant.

The process of silk production can be seen in the surrounding villages. There are over 700 patterns used by silk weavers in Surin province. Rhomboid designs are especially popular.

During the 1970s, when the Khmer Rouge seized control of, and terrorized, neighboring Cambodia, thousands of Cambodian refugees crossed the Banthat mountains into Surin province and took up residence there, alongside already established Lao refugees, Thais, and Suay tribespeople. Although most immigrants have been repatriated, some remain.

Surin’s main attraction is undoubtedly the annual Elephant Roundup, at the Surin Sports Park . At other times of the year, artifacts associated with elephant capture and training can be seen at the Surin Museum , including buffalo-hide ropes used by Suay tribesmen to catch wild elephants. There are also exhibits of the protective clothing and amulets, inscribed with magical incantations, worn during elephant hunts. The capture and training of elephants in Surin is traditionally a male preserve. In fact, women are strictly forbidden to touch the paraphernalia of the hunt, in case they destroy the magic needed to catch the elephants.