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PHIMAI (อำเภอพิมาย)
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Phimai
Historical Park (อุทยานประวัติศาสตร์พิมาย)
Dotted about Thailand's great Northern plateau are numerious temples of varying sizes;
most of these structures are believed to be about a thousand years old. These
building-built of brick, stone, or combinations of the two materials are of two types ;
those built by persons of Brahmanic culture, these have three to five-storied bases
surmounted by prominent spires; those constructed by Buddhist patronages, have a low base
and their spires are not so tall. The most spectacular of them all is at Phimai, 60 kms.
Northeast of Nakhon Ratchasima. No one knows who actually built Phimai, or why it was built at the particular site it occupies the vast edifice and its environs stand is lated in an arid plain on source declares... it was built in the 12th century and some years before Angkor Wat. Monsieur H. Parmentier, the Angkor expert, 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). Pamentier held that its architectural style closely resembled Angkorean buildings. Prasat Hin Phimai which is the charmingly amusing larget sandstone sanctuary in Thailand almost situated in the center of Phimai ancient city which carries a rectangular shape of 665 meters wide and 1,030 meters long. Nowadays, the Sanctury looks magnificiently restored and renovated ruins of the fascination ancient Khmer architecture has been preserved as the National Historical Park. The monument itself is surrounded with two red sandstone walls; the external wall and the gallery. These are punctuated by gatetowers (Gopuras) at four cardinal points, North South, East and West. The main entrance is decorated with Naga balustrade which faces to the South where there are ancient routes cut from Angkor. The main white sandstone Prang has its place in the middle, towers of 28 meters in heigh, and flanked by two minor buildings, on the left was built in laterite called "Prang Phramadhat" and on the right was built in red sandstone called "Prang Hin Daeng". Evidences of the main sanctuary reveal that all the external lintels including pediments involve Hinduism, such as the carvings of Ramayana Story, figures of Hindu Gods like Shiva and Vishnu whereas the internal lintels involve typically masterful religious art of Mahayana Buddhism. Though, it can be concluded that Phimai Sanctury was built for the worship of both Mahayana Buddhism and Hinduism: one of the internal represents Trilokayavichaya Buddhism who standing on Hindu Gods, Shiva and his wife, seems to mean that buddhism becomes more significant than Hinduism. Two stone inscriptions encountered, the first mentions the name of King Suriyavoraman 1 (1002 A.D. - 1050 A.D.) while the second at the door frame of the Southern gallery describing the name of King Dharnindharavoraman I (1107 A.D. - 1113 A.D.). These inscriptions of different period also coinsides with the characteristics of the artifacts found inside the main prang, therefore, the well-restored ruins of Phimai Sanctuary may have been built in between late 11th - mid 12th centuries. To get to the sanctuary, from Nakhon Ratchasima Bus Terminal II, take direct bus No. 1305 which leaves every 30 minutes from 06.00-20.00 hrs. Phimai Historical Park opens everyday from 06.00-18.00 hrs. Admission fee is 40 baht per person. For further information tel. 044-471568. |
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Phimai National
Museum (พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติพิมาย) Phimai National Musuem is situated on Tha Songkran Road near the Moon River, Tambol Nai Muang, Amphoe Phimai, 300 meters from Prasat Phimai and 59 kms. from Amphoe Muang Nakhon Ratchasima. The Museum is the center of cultural heritage in northern Thailand., emphasizing artifacts from the lower Isan, such as Nakhon Ratchasima, Chaiyaphum, Buriram, Surin and Si Sa Ket. The interesting art objects belong to Dvaravati and Khmer art styles. The Dvaravati style can be seen on Sima or Boundary stone while the Khmer style is evident in stone carving of lintels, pediments, pillars and antefixs. The master piece of the museum collection is the stone statue of King Jayavarman VII of Angkor Thom which was found in Prang Bhramadhatta, Prasat Hin Phimai. Phimai national Museum is opened everyday from 09.00-16.00 hrs. Admission Fee 30 Baht. Call 044-471167 for further information. |
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Sai Ngam (Banyan
Trees) "ไทรงาม" The place is located in Tambol Nai
Muang, Amphoe Phimai about 2 kilometers northest of Phimai Historical Park. This is
another well-known sight-seeing spot. A road to Sai Ngam passes through Phimai Irrigation
Dam of Thung Samrit Irrigation Project. This is a dam built across Moon River. Sai Ngam is
located on the bank of this river. At the place there are many banyan tress of which
branches and leaves are interwoven by nature with each other until it is not possible to
distinguish on tree's branches and leaves from those of the other. The interwoven brances
and leaves extend densely over an area of about 15,000 square feet of shady area. Food
stands for snacks and drink are also available. |
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