The ancient city of Phimai . and other Phimai, Thailand Things to Do Tips

If you visit Pra Sart Hin Phimai ,don’t forget to survey around the town. This town was the ancient city in Khmer empire and there’re so many things to see and imagine how the old Khmer sub-city was.

Phimai derived from the word Vimaya which appears in an inscription on one door flame in Phimai sanctuary.
This rectangular shape town surrounded by moat in all sides. And on each side of city wall ‘s an arched gate made of Laterite. The important one ‘s the southern gate which faced to the anceint road from the Angkor city in Cambodia.
Inside the city walls , there’re 3 ponds fro provide water called Sra Keaw, Sra Phlung and Sra Khwan. There’s also 2 big ponds outside wall called Sra Phleng and Sra Bohd. In the city , there’s a building which built for each function. The Kuti Rishi or as ancient temple and medical centre (Called Arokyasala in Khmer ). And one brick chedi built in late Ayuthaya period.

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Address: Phimai district , Nakorn Ratchasima Province.

Or Phimai Sanctuary ,situated in Nakorn Ratchasima Province , about 60 kms from city. The building constructed during the 11th – 13th centuries A.D. A group of main buildings surrounded by a double wall . The inner courtyard ‘s the most important part of the sanctuary ,houses 3 buildings . The principal building which made of white sandstone was constructed in the 11th –12th centuries A.D. Inside and outside decorated by craving on stone. Depicted the episode of Ramayana , the Hindu god and Buddha of Mahayana buddhism which means that time was the turning point from Hinduism to Buddhism of Khmer empire.
The interesting thing , this sanctuary faced to the South , which different from other khmer sanctuaries both in Thailand and cambodia. Some assumed that it headed to Angkor city and the ancient road from Angkor.

Open daily from 7.30 am. – 6.00 pm. Admission fees ‘s 40 Baht

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Address: Phimai district , Nakorn Ratchasima Province
Directions: Situated in the town centre .Near the clock tower

This museum originally collected only art objects from Prasat Phimai and surrounded sites. In 1975, it was established to be the regional museum of the Lower Isan. The museum represented art objects of Dvaravati and Khmer art styles. The master piece of this museum is the stone statue of King Jayavarman VII of Khmer Kingdom which was found in Prasat Phimai.

Services: Museum Guide and bookshop
Open : Daily from 9.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m.
Admission Fee : 30 Baht

Note : A combined ticket for the Maha Wirawong National Museum, the Phimai National Museum,Prasat Phanom Wan, Phimai Historical Park and Prasat Muang Khaek within one month. All are located in nakhon Ratchasima Province. (Admission 100 Baht)

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Phone: (044) 471167
Address: Tha Songkran Rd, Phimai District
Directions: Near the Moon River.About 300 metres from Prasat Phimai .
Website: http://www.thailandmuseum.com/thaimuseum_eng/phimai/main.htm

This building named Meru Phromthat.This name related to the legend about Orapim and Pajit.Actually,it was built in Ayutthaya period,made by brick.No any evidences on this chedi but stands as a big ruin in town.

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Phimai city have a square plan surrounded with city wall and moat.At 4 directions have the city gate. The most important one is Pratu Chai or Chai gate.This gate located in the South of city to connected with the ancient road from Angkor,Cambodia. The gate was built from laterite.The style of gate can compared with the gate in Angkor which built in King Jayavarman VII.

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Address: Chomsuda Sadet Road.
Directions: South of the city.

This building believed to be built in the reign of King Jayavarman of Khmer Kingdom.It used as hospital which the King was built in the same function along the road from his Angkor city.The location of this Kuti Rishi is the end of the ancient road from Angkor city.But the road was destroyed by modern living.

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Directions: Not so far from Pratu Chai gate.

In Phimai city,you can find some ponds in the city.Almost ponds 're ancient reservoir of Phimai city.It called Baray in Khmer language.Some believed it 's the sacred pond for making merit.The ponds in Phimai 're Sra Kaew in the West and Sra Kwan in the North(inside Phimai National Museum),Sra Prung.These 3 ponds 're in the city.More 2 ponds ;Sra Pleng (in the East) and Sra Bot (in the West) 're outside the city.

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