Thailand Phimai Temple: A Jewel of Khmer Heritage Phimai, Northeastern Provinces (Issan), Travel to Thailand 5 (11)Phimai is a small town in the northeast of Thailand, located some 60 km from the big city of Nakhon Ratchasima (known to many as Khorat). Phimai was once an important fortified city as it was located on the imperial road leading in the heart of the Khmer empire. Considered one of the most beautiful temples of its kind in Thailand, the Khmer temple of Phimai is the main vestige of this distant era and constitutes in itself Phimai Historical Park.Map of the Khmer Empire at its height. Summary hide 1- Prasat Hin Phimai, Khmer architecture in all its splendor 2- Sai Ngam: The venerable Banyan Tree 3- In the surroundings of Phimai 4- How to get to Phimai 5- Where to stay in Phimai 1- Prasat Hin Phimai, Khmer architecture in all its splendorPrasat is a word for a sanctuary, while the word "hin" refers to the stone, mainly used for this type of construction. The Phimai temple is a Buddhist sanctuary (of the Mahayana current more precisely, as opposed to the Buddhism currently in Thailand, Theravada Buddhism) and the largest Khmer temple in Thailand.Knowing that I am not going to develop here all the characteristics of a Khmer temple, I refer you to Wikipedia which summarizes very well the particular style of khmer architecture.If you like museums, you can complete this visit with that of the Phimai National Museum (it was just renovated last year and it will cost you 100 Bahts). When you arrive at the site, you will first pass by a "bridge", lined with nagas, the mythological serpent, very present in Thailand in temples. Next to it is a secondary building whose function I do not know...Then you can go through the south gate (there is typically a gate at each cardinal point in these temples) to finally enter the temple grounds. This is still surrounded by a red sandstone wall, from the time of Jayavarman VII, the last great king of the Khmer Empire who reigned at the end of the 12th century (the same one whose face can be admired on Angkor Thom in Cambodia).The rest of the buildings, the oldest dating from the end of the 11th century. The main structure is cross-shaped, around it you can see the galleries connecting the gopuras, the entrance doors surrounding the sanctuary.The site is well maintained and the main sanctuary is in a good state of preservation considering its great age. Many Thais come to visit the site, in fact, there were more Thais than foreigners. A few school trips were also passing through. It is a visit that will take between 1 and 2 hours depending on your pace. The fact is that we would happily stop in the shade of the beautiful trees or inside the sanctuary, admiring the superbly sculpted and preserved statues, while the Thais indulge in their favorite pastime, the selfie.In addition to the main sanctuary and its beautiful Prang (the great tower), you can also see old annex buildings, next to which stand pieces that were not put back in place during the renovation of the site, the old water tanks, but also the garden, beautifully wooded, surrounding the entire site.Selfie!!The nagas lining the entrance.2- Sai Ngam: The venerable Banyan TreeLess than 2 km from the Prasat Hin Phimai site, there is an unusual tree. While you may have seen or heard of trees in general, the banyan tree (banyan tree in English, a type of fig tree, sacred to Hindus and Buddhists), the Sai Ngam is a good example of the fantastic creations that the planet can produce for us.If the largest of its kind is in India (at the Howrah botanical garden, near Calcutta), with a circumference of 412 m and a diameter of 131 m, this version here in Phimai still measures 120 m in length and 55 m in width, a great achievement!The “entrance” to the impressive banyan tree. And again, this is due among other things to the space available to grow finally, limited by the presence of the pond surrounding it, but which adds to the charm of the place. It is a pretty setting to come and sit a little in the shade of the tree, at the edge of the water.In addition to this, one can mention his venerable age, estimated at 350 years old. Considered sacred, in addition to coming to pray at its altar, in the heart of the tree, people leave a piece of paper there, writing a wish.Prayer corner.Greeting papers left by visitors.Wandering through this tangle of roots and trunks formed by the shoots of the tree is quite special and unique. With the prayer corner and the incense sticks that add to the mystical side of the place, it is really pleasant. And to top it all off, it's free 😉 So no excuse not to take a look!Great light!The pond surrounds it for a good part.3- In the surroundings of PhimaiBefore leaving Phimai, you can possibly go and admire the south gate of Pratu Chai, a rare remnant of the city wall that once surrounded the city. You can also check out the ruins of the Meru of Bhramadat, an ancient stupa built on a small artificial hill from the time when Phimai was briefly a small independent kingdom defying Ayutthaya's authority in the late 18th century.If you like Khmer temples, you can then complete the visit of Phimai with that of Nakhon Ratchasima and its Prasat Hin Phanomwan, then continue to the region south of Buriram and visit the impressive Phanom rung (located in a historical park) and the smaller sanctuary of Prasat Hin Mueang Tam.Prang of the Khmer temple of Phanom Rung in Buriram province.View of Prasat Hin Mueang Tam in Buriram province.4- How to get to PhimaiThe easiest way is to first go to Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat), which is accessible via the Mo Chit North Bus Terminal in Bangkok. Once there, go to Nakhon Ratchasima Terminal 2, where you will have buses leaving for Phimai every 20 minutes. Most people will get off at the square where the Phimai Clock Tower is located, but just in case, be aware that this is not the last stop so you will have to ask to get off there.The Nakhon Ratchasima – Phimai connection should not cost more than 60 Baht for a duration of 1h30.It is also possible to get there from the north of Issan, if you arrive from Nong Khai for example.5- Where to stay in PhimaiSleeping in Phimai will not necessarily be common, in my case, I only passed through, continuing my route further once the visits on site were done. If however you take the time to stop for the night, it would seem that the Benya Guesthouse either good value for money and a choice to consider. Otherwise, you can find what you are looking for using the search tool below:Find a hotel in Nakhon Ratchasima with AgodaFind a hotel in Phimai with BookingYet another good reason to come and discover Issan, isn’t it?Did you like the article? share on Pinterest! Did you like the article? Vote on the article Note globale 5 / 5. Number of votes: 11 No votes yet. Be the first to rate this article! Did you like the article? Follow me on social media Culture and traditions Historic site Khmer temple 0 8 Roman 24/05/2017
