Phimai

I was with a friend in Korat, and I was so lucky to find the chance to visit Phimai a small archaeological complex near Buriram, a small Khmer outpost in what Thais call Isan, the eastern poorest part of Thailand.
The people here are more black and short sized compared to north Thais, more similar to Khmer, and there is quite a sort of racism behind that.
This temple is really a masterpiece of the Khmer art in Thailand.
Is not so difficult to find the way, from Khorat you can get a bus to Buriram and from Buriram some driver will be happy to bring you to the temple with a Tuk Tuk.
The light was great and my glorious Canon Eos 300 followed me; using the wide angle lens I was able to get some good photos of Phimai.

Phimai archaeological complex, near Buriram, in the remote eastern Thailand, represents a masterpiece of the Khmer art in Thailand. The Thailand’s northeastern plateau is found to have numerous temples of varying sizes.
Most of these structures are believed to be about a thousand years old. Phimai is the most famous and the most important among all. Geographically is located on a high plain surrounded by three large canals.
No one knows who actually built Phimai, or why it was built at the particular site it occupies.
After a detail study at Phimai came to the conclusion that the temple was built in the reign of King Suriyavoraman (A.D. 1002-1049).
The Phimai temple is almost situated in the center of ancient Phimai city, its rectangular shape is 655 m wide and 1,033 m long, it looks magnificently restored and renovated.

Posted on January 29, 2003

Print PDF