Phanom Rung Historical Park
Location: Amphoe Chalerm Prakiat,
Buriram
Phanom Rung Historical Park is located approximately 64 km from Burirum town centre
and 120 km from Nakhon Ratchasima town centre. It is a home to one of the most important
Khmer sites in Thailand with a beautiful backdrop of Isan countryside. Based on an
extinct volcano on Phanom Rung Mountain, the site boasts graceful temples, towers,
Buddha images with Khmer-influenced architecture. It also features a Hindu Saivite or
Shiva monasty, sculptures of Vishnu and a number of ruins which contain images depicting
Hindu God Brahma and scenes from Ramayana. The sanctuary was built in laterite and sandstone,
all with elaborate designs. The pagoda, the stairway and the Naga bridge were assumed to
be built during the 12th century.
The 15 doorways of the ancient Shiva temple could be used as an astronomical device as
they were built in a straight line which allows the sunrise and sunset through all doorways.
This event happens 4 times a year. The sun rises straight through 15 doorways twice, in
April and September. The sun sets through the doorways twice in March and October.
Opening Hours: Daily from 08.00 am. - 05.30 pm.
Admission: 40 Baht
How to get there: There is a bus from Buriram city to Ban Ta-Ko and from
there you can get a songtaew to Phanom Rung. To drive there, take Highway No.24 from Nang
Rong to Prakhon Chai and upon reaching Ban Tako, there is a road to Phanom Rung, continue
for 12 km. There is a bus from Buriram city to Ban Ta-Ko and from there you can get a songtaew
to Phanom Rung. To drive there, take Highway No.24 from Nang Rong to Prakhon Chai and upon
reaching Ban Tako, there is a road to Phanom Rung, continue for 12 km.
Prasat Pueai Noi
Location: Amphoe Pueai Noi,
Khon Kaen
Prasat Puei Noi is the largest Khmer sanctuary in the upper Northeast. Although it is not as big as
Prasat Hin Phimai, it is one of the most complete ruins in the region. The compound consists of 3 brick
buildings built on a laterite base in 10
th – 11
th century A.D.
(16
th – 17
th Buddhist century) Its art
and architecture is the combination between Khmer’s Babuan and Ankor Wat styles. It was built as a
sacred temple in Hinduism.
Opening Hours: Daily
Admission: Free
How to get there: take Highway No.2 from Khon Kaen for 44 km to Ban Phai, then
take Highway No. 23 for 11 km to Amphoe Borabu, then take a right-hand road for 24 km to Ku Pueai Noi.
Phra That Si Song Rak
Location: Amphoe Dan Sai,
Loei
Phra That Si Song Rak is located on the bank of Man River, 83 km from the town centre. It was
built in 1560 and finished in 1563 during Ayutthaya period on the border of Ayutthaya Kingdom
and Lan Xang Kingdom, with Lan Xang architecture. The pagoda is 19.19 metres high and its square
base with 10.89 metres wide on each side. The pagoda symbolises the resolve of the kings of
these two kingdoms not to invade each other’s territory and to join forces against Burmese
invaders. There is a wax figure of the late Luang Pho Phra Maha Phan Sila Wisuttho, the founder
of the temple.
In April to May annually, a ceremony is held to worship the pagoda. Dan Sai’s indigenous
tradition, Phi Ta Khon is also held there in June or July every year.
Note: It is important not to offer any red colour items or dressed in red
as it is believed that this pagoda was built on the purpose of honesty and friendship between
the two kingdoms. Red is the symbol of blood and violence. Visitors should not use umbrella,
wear hat and shoes while visiting Phra That Si Song Rak.
Opening Hours: Daily
Admission: Free
How to get there: Take Highway 203 (Loei – Phu Rua) from Loei town centre,
turn to Highway No.2013 for 15 km to Amphoe Dan Sai, then turn right to Highway No.2113 for
1 km. There are also mini buses (songtaews) and tuk-tuks running from Loei town centre.
Phrathat Nadun
Location: Amphoe Wapi Pathum,
Maha Sarakham
Phra That Nadun was built to house the Lord Buddha’s relics found in a small pagoda in the
nearby area. It is assumed to be built during Dvaravati period in 8th – 10th century A.D.
Phra That features a pagoda built with 3 tiers. The first tier or the base is used for ceremony
which some may involve walking clockwise. The second and third tiers are decorated with
miniatures of Phra That at all 4 corners. The third tier is where the bell-shaped pagoda
stands.
Opening Hours: Daily
Admission: Free
How to get there: Take Highway No.2040 from Maha Sarakhram town centre,
pass Amphoe Jae Dam, Amphoe Wapipathum and turn right to Highway No.2045 to Amphoe Nadun.
It is 65 km from the town centre.
Phimai Historical Park
Location: Amphoe Phimai,
Nakhon Ratchasima
Phimai is located 60 km northeast of Nakhon Ratchasima. It is one of the most important
Khmer temples in Thailand. Most buildings were presumably built in the late 11
th to late
12
th century with Baphuon, Bayon and Angkor Wat style. The stone castle is located in the
centre of Phimai Ancient City which is 665 metres wide and 1,030 metres long. It was built
to worship both Mahayana Buddhism and Hinduism. The external lintels including pediments
depict Hinduism, such as the carvings of Ramayana story, figures of Hindu Gods such as
Shiva and Vishnu while the internal lintels depict religious art of Mahayana Buddhism.
This site faces south as it is the direction of Ankor Wat while other Khmer sites
face east.
Opening Hours: opens every day from 7.30-18.00 hrs.
Admission: 40 Baht for foreigners and 10 Baht for Thai citizen
How to get there: take Highway No.2 from Nakhon Ratchasima town centre, pass
Prasat Hin Phanom Wan on your left. Continue for 51 km until the traffic light, turn right to
Highway No.206 towards Amphoe Phimai and continue for 12 km to Phimai Historical Park.
Phra That Phanom
Location: Amphoe That Phanom,
Nakhon Phanom
Phra That Phanom is located 51 km from Nakhon Phanom town centre. It was built in the 16
th
century by the Laotian King Setthathirath of Lan Xang. It is used to house the Buddha’s breast
bones. The architecture of the Phra That is found in the architecture of Khmer castles. It is
53.60 meters high and 12.33 meters wide. The site has been restored several times by the Fine
Arts Department. The ground floor is a museum housing many ancient items. An annual celebration
is held from the 10th day of the waxing moon to the 1st day of the waning moon of the 3
rd
lunar month.
Opening Hours: Daily
Admission: Free
How to get there: Take Highway No.212. There are also air-con and non air-con
buses from the bus terminal in the town centre going straight to Phra That Phanom.
Phra That Narai Jeng Weng
Location: Amphoe Mueang,
Sakon Nakhon
Located in Phra That Narai Jeng Weng temple, Phra That Narai Jeng Weng is a stone castle influenced
by Khmer architecture. The base was built with laterite, the prang was built with sandstone.
It is believed that Phra Maha Kassapa brought the breast bone of the Lord Buddha from India to house
at Phra That Phanom but during his way back through Nong Harn Luang city, the wife of Phraya Suwannapingkan,
who ruled the city asked him to share the relics. Since Phraya Maha Kassapa had an attention to house the
relics at the same place, he did not share the relics to her but he gave the ash of the relics to her
instead. Afterwards, the ash was housed at a stone cave called Phra That Narai Jeng Weng.
Opening Hours: Daily from 08.00 am. – 05.00 pm.
Admission: Free
How to get there: Take Highway No.22 (Sakon Nakhon – Udon Thani) until reaching Ban
That which is located before Liang Muang intersection, turn left and continue for 400 metres.
Prasat Ban Prasat
Location: Amphoe Huay Thap Than,
Si Sa Ket
Located in Prasat Phanaram Temple, Prasat Ban Prasat is a Khmer ancient site built in 17th Buddhist
century and restored in the end of Ayutthaya period and at the beginning of Rattanakosin period. The
addition was done with the influence of Lan Xang. The compound is comprised of 3 prangs standing on
the same base built with laterite. The wall of the compound was built with laterite as well. Presumably,
there were at all 4 directions but at present, there are only the one in the south. It is believed the
compound was built on the purpose of keeping the relics of the governor of the city.
Opening Hours: Daily from 08.30 am. – 04.30 pm.
Admission: Free
How to get there: Take Highway No.226 from Si Sa Ket town centre, continue for 39
km to Amphoe Huay Thap Than and continue for another 8 km.
Ban Chiang Archaeological Site
Location: Amphoe Nong Han,
Udon Thani
Ban Chiang Archaeological site has been on UNESCO World heritage list since 1992.
The discovery of the site was in 1966. The site displays a great cultural evolution in
pre-historic period of over 5,000 years ago. It is one of the greatest evolutions in
Southeast Asia. It shows many aspects of the developed cultures in particular in skills
and intellect that has been passed on from generations to generations. Ban Chiang is
known for the beautiful pottery made by the ancient villagers and it also includes more
than 100 archaeological sites in northeast region which has been a settlement for thousands
years. The site includes burials, ceramics, crucibles, metals and other artifacts.
Opening Hours: Daily from 09.00 am – 04.00 pm.
Admission: 150 Baht for foreigners and 30 Baht for Thai citizen
How to get there: The site is 55 kilometers from the town centre. Take
Highway No. 22 (Udon Thani-Sakon Nakon). Turn left at the 50 km marker to Highway No.2225 and
continue for 6 km.
Phra That Kong Khao Noi
Location: Amphoe Mueang,
Yasothon
Phra That Kong Khao Noi, the small, square brick-plastering chedi with a distinctive top was
built during the 23rd - 25th Buddhist century in the late Ayutthaya period. Its architecture
is influenced by Khmer style and it looks similar to rice box according to its tragic story.
It was built by a hungry farmer who was repentant after killing his mother who brought him a
small amount of food. The chedi is located in Phra That Kong Khao Noi Temple which was originally
a rice field.
Opening Hours: Daily from 08.30 am. – 04.30 pm.
Admission: Free
How to get there: Take Highway No.23 (Yasothon – Ubon Ratchathani) until km 194
marker then turn left for another 1 km. It is located in Tambon That Thong.
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