Phimai is a town in the District of Phimai within the Province of Nakhon Ratchasima. It is most famous for the Phimai Historical Park in Phimai – Thailand.
Location
Phimai Historical Park in Phimai – Thailand is located approximately sixty kilometers from the center of Phimai town. It is also near the city of Korat otherwise known as Nakhon Ratchasima, the capital of the province with the same name.
Getting There
Phimai is a relatively small town so once you get in, you can readily explore much of the town on foot including getting to the Phimai Historical Park in Phimai – Thailand.
On the other hand, if you will be coming from Korat to visit Phimai, you can catch a bus from Korat and before you even enter the center of the town, you will already pass by the historical park.
What to See and Do
Phimai Historical Park in Phimai – Thailand is best known for its Khmer Temples. These are considered as the most well-preserved temples of its kind in the country.
You will find that the Khmer Temples have a close resemblance to those that are found within the grounds of the Angkor Wat; the only difference being, the ones in Thailand are considerably smaller in scale.
The inner courtyard has 3 towers. The walls of the central tower are carved with bas reliefs depicting scenes from the epic Ramayana, bas-reliefs of Shiva, the Buddha, Bodhisattvas as well as bas reliefs of Mara.
One of the towers also houses a huge sculpture of King Jayavarman.
From the main entry point going to the site where the temples stand, you will see sculptures of guardian lions. There is likewise a sculpture of the snake, Naga, who is said to be Buddha’s protector.
Once you have visited the temple site, you can have a leisurely stroll around the park to cap your tour.
Brief History
The Khmer Temples within the premises of the Phimai Historical Park in Phimai – Thailand were believed to have been constructed between the 11th and 12th centuries.
The first recorded documentation, of the ruins was in the year 1901 by a French geographer named Etienne Aymonier. By the year 1936, specifically on the 27th of September; the temple ruins were put under government protection.
Restoration work took place between the years 1964 and 1969. Phimai Historical Park in Phimai – Thailand was officially opened to the public on the 12th of April in the year 1989, by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.
Cost
Entry fee for Phimai Historical Park in Phimai – Thailand and the temple ruins is one hundred baht.
Other Information
Phimai Historical Park in Phimai – Thailand is open for visits during the day only, starting at 7:30 in the morning. It is closed to the public in the evenings.
