Phimai Historical Park
อุทยานประวัติศาสตร์พิมาย
Thailand's largest Khmer stone sanctuary, completed in the late 11th century and facing toward Angkor. It is a core stop on any tour of Isan's Khmer ruins.
Phimai Stone Sanctuary was built from the late 11th to the early 12th century. It was an important city on the Royal Road of the ancient Khmer Empire leading to Angkor. The main sanctuary is built of white sandstone, and its tower top is shaped like a lotus bud, which is considered one of the precursors of the Angkor Wat towers. Within the park, visit the South Gate, the cruciform terrace, the main sanctuary, and the red sandstone annex halls in turn. The naga, Hindu mythological, and early Buddhist reliefs on the lintels are well preserved. Foreign visitors pay about 100 baht for entry. It is open from 7:00 to 18:00, and visiting early in the morning or in the late afternoon helps you avoid the heat. From the Korat city bus terminal, take a bus about 60 km north, a journey of 1 to 1.5 hours. It can be combined with the Phimai National Museum and the Sai Ngam banyan tree for a half-day trip.
Opening hours
07:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- Phimai National Museum
- Sai Ngam Banyan Park
- Ban Prasat Archaeological Site
- Prasat Phanom Wan
- Wat Sala Loi
- Wat Phayap
- Thao Suranari Monument & Chumphon Gate
- Dan Kwian Pottery Village