All the pictures on this page were made with a Sony Mavica® FD71 digital camera.
Thailand
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Prasat Hin Phimai
The main attraction near the town of Khorat (or Nakhon Rachasima) in northeastern Thailand (Isan or Esan) are the remains of Prasat Hin Phimai, the largest Khmer Temple in Thailand. The Temple was built from approximately the 13th to the 16th Century. There are so many, richly decorated, details that you really should visit the place yourself, whenever in Isan.
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This page can only give a very limited impression of this important historical site.
The best way to go to Prasat Hin Phimai from Khorat is by bus. Khorat has a large bus terminal with many buses going to Phimai.
![An overview over the Phimai site](JavaScript:openPopWin("phimai/phimai01.jpg", 660, 510, "", "cen", "cen"))
![A detail of a gate](JavaScript:openPopWin("phimai/phimai02.jpg", 660, 510, "", "cen", "cen"))
The left hand side picture shows the view when you enter Phimai Historical Park. Mark that the three towers you see are not at the same distance. The building in the middle, the Main Tower, is a located bit more backward that the two smaller towers. Behind the Main Tower (and connected to it) is a "antechamber" with a Buddha Image.
On the left hand side of the Main Tower is the Redstone Tower, on the right hand side the Brahmadat Tower.
The right hand side picture is a reminder to you to look for the many details at any place in the Park.
![Looking at the Main Tower](JavaScript:openPopWin("phimai/phimai03.jpg", 520, 520, "scrollbars,resizable", "cen", "cen"))
![Looking from the Main Tower](JavaScript:openPopWin("phimai/phimai04.jpg", 520, 520, "scrollbars,resizable", "cen", "cen"))
The Temple has some beautiful "walkthroughs", that you will pass on your way to the Main Building. On the left hand side picture you can see part of the Main Tower at "the end of the tunnel". The right hand side picture was taken from within the Main Tower.
![Main Tower](JavaScript:openPopWin("phimai/phimai05.jpg", 520, 520, "scrollbars,resizable", "cen", "cen"))
![Brahmadat Tower](JavaScript:openPopWin("phimai/phimai06.jpg", 520, 520, "scrollbars,resizable", "cen", "cen"))
The left hand side picture above this text shows the south entrance of the Main Tower. The right hand side picture shows the "Brahmadat Tower", probably the oldest part of the Temple, when originally built.
![back of the Main building](JavaScript:openPopWin("phimai/phimai07.jpg", 660, 510, "", "cen", "cen"))
![Detail of the gate](JavaScript:openPopWin("phimai/phimai08.jpg", 660, 510, "", "cen", "cen"))
The left hand side picture here is one of the sides of the main building, connected to the Main Tower. It houses the Buddha Image, shown below. Mark the typical Khmer-style windows (to be shown in more detail below).
![Buddha Image](JavaScript:openPopWin("phimai/phimai09.jpg", 520, 520, "scrollbars,resizable", "cen", "cen"))
The Buddha Image, somewhere in the heart of the complex, is a replica. For the real one go to the National Museum in Bangkok.
![Detail of a gate stone](JavaScript:openPopWin("phimai/phimai010.jpg", 520, 520, "scrollbars,resizable", "cen", "cen"))
![Detailed sculpture](JavaScript:openPopWin("phimai/phimai011.jpg", 520, 520, "scrollbars,resizable", "cen", "cen"))
Here you have two more examples of small details that are easily overlooked. Keep your eyes wide open during your visit of Prasat Hin Phimai!
![Khmer style window](JavaScript:openPopWin("phimai/phimai012.jpg", 520, 520, "scrollbars,resizable", "cen", "cen"))
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And this is a close-up of one of the Khmer-style windows that can be seen in Prasat Hin Phimai.
I realize that this page only gives a very limited impression of this important Historical Site. Also my knowledge of the Khmer culture is limited. Nevertheless I hope you have enjoyed this page and I have inspired you to visit Prasat Hin Phimai.
![Inside the Banyan trees](JavaScript:openPopWin("phimai/phimai013.jpg", 660, 510, "", "cen", "cen"))
![Banyan trees](JavaScript:openPopWin("phimai/phimai014.jpg", 660, 510, "", "cen", "cen"))
While in Phimai, also visit the giant Banyan trees. They are not very far from the Historical Site. Samlors will be waiting to bring you there. As shown above from the inside as well as from the outside, they form an impressive sight.
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Related page: The city and surroundings of Khorat
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