A United Nations World Heritage site, Phimai is the site of a walled complex of reconstructed temples, libraries and ancillary structures, one of the most important Khmer monuments in Thailand.
Phimai Historical Park location map
Prasat Hin Phimai
Prasat Hin Phimai is the largest sandstone sanctuary in Thailand almost situated in the center of Phimai Ancient city which has a rectangular shape of 665 meters wide and 1,030 meters long. Nowadays, the sanctuary looks magnificiently restored and renovated. The temple and other ruins of the facinating ancient Khmer architecture have been preserved as a National Historical Park.
The monument of Prasat Hin Phimai itself is surrounded with two red sandstone walls; the external wall and the gallery. These are puntuated by gatetowers (Gopuras) at four cardinal points, North, South, East and West. The main entrance is decorated with Naga balustrade which faces to the South where there are ancient routes to Angkor.
The main white sandstone Prang has its place in the middle, towers of 28 meters in height, and is flanked by two minor building, on the left was built in laterite called "Prang Bhramadhat" and on the right was built in sandstone called "Prang Hin Daeng".
Virtual Reconstruction of Phimai
Virtual reconstruction of the temple site in Phimai was done by the University of Calgary; the result of the work can be seen here. It serves as a case study highlighting the potential of computer visualization as a tool in heritage resource management.
Phimai National Museum
The Phimai National Museum is at the approach in Amphur Phimai. The museum houses an extensive collection of succeeding eras of Ancient Khmer and Dvaravati artifacts: carved sandstone pediments and lintels from the 6th century Dvaravati Period, and those of Khmers ranging from the early Koh Ker style from 9th century Dvaravati style to Angkor Wat's Bayon style of the 12th century.
How to get to Phimai
You can pick up a bus to Phimai every half hour from Khorat bus station. The journey takes around 90 minutes. Songtaews take you to the museum from Phimai bus station.
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