Talk:Phimai/Listings

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Amphoe Phimai

Thung Samrit Memorial (อนุสรณ์วีรกรรมทุ่งสัมฤทธิ์) is at Mu 1, Ban Samrit Tawan Ok, Tambon Samrit, 46 kilometres from the city. Take Highway No. 2 (Nakhon Ratchasima-Khon Kaen) to Km. 43-44 (opposite the entrance to Ban Prasat) and turn right for about 3 kilometres. This wide field was a battleground between Khorat people and Lao soldiers during the reign of King Rama III. A shrine built by villagers in 1988 now stands here to pay homage to the fighters.

Phimai National Museum (พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติ พิมาย) at the base of Tha Songkran bridge just before Phimai sanctuary. From Nakhon Ratchasima, take Highway No. 2 for 50 kilometres, then go on Highway No. 206 for 10 kilometres. If taking a bus from Nakhon Ratchasima, you can get on at Bus Terminal 2 in the city.

The museum collects archaeological artefacts and has exhibits on the past cultural prosperity of the Northeast, especially artefacts found in the lower part of the region. The exhibition is allocated to three different sections, which are

First Section: Located at the upper floor, displaying the society development of the lower part of Isan, its culture civilization base on the local believes is gether with the outside influential culture that has impacted upon since pre-historic period tell the present day.
Second Section: Located at the lower floor, displaying the ancient artifacts of Khmer cultural influence in the lower part of Isan.
Third Section: This exhibited hall displays the ancient artifacts of sandstone sculptures such as the columns, miniature castles, parts of buildings and many other items. Moreover, many of temple boundary markers (heart-shaped stone) and exquisite lintels can be admired around the museum.

The museum opens Wednesday – Sunday from 9 am.-4 pm. It is closed on Monday – Tuesday and public holidays. The entry fee is 30 baht. For more information, call 0 4447 1167

Phimai Historical Park (อุทยานประวัติศาสตร์พิมาย) is in Phimai District. It has one of the grandest and most important Khmer historical sites in Thailand that is the Phimai sanctuary.

The word Phimai appears in an inscription on a stone slab at the front doorway of the building as well as in many other structures. It is believed that the word Phimai meant a religious figure or site.

Phimai sanctuary is in the shape of a rectangle and is 565 metres wide and 1,030 metres long. It consists of structures made of sandstone and laterite, all ornately carved with designs. The most special characteristic of the sanctuary is that it is the only one that faces south while others usually face east. This is probably because it was built to face the route that the Khmers made from the capital of the empire, to the south of Phimai.

From stone inscriptions and the style of architecture, Phimai sanctuary was most likely built at the end of the 16th Buddhist century during the reign of King Suriyaworaman I. The architectural style is Baphuon that prospered at the time. Some characteristics are similar to the Angkor Wat style, which became popular at a later period. The site had some additions in the early 18th Buddhist century in the reign of King Chaiworaman VII when Phimai had close relations with the Khmer Empire. The sanctuary was always a religious site of the Mahayana sect of Buddhism because King Suriyaworaman I and King Chaiworaman VII were followers of the sect.

Important Structures in Phimai Sanctuary

Naga Bridge (สะพานนาคราช) is the first part you pass when visiting the site. The bridge and lion figures stand in front of Gopura (porch) south of the main pagoda. The intention may have been to build a link between earth and heaven according to the belief in the universe of both Hinduism and Buddhism.

Gopura (โคปุระ) was adapted as the wall around the sanctuary and the four entering porches. There is a large corridor connecting between the outer and inner area of the main sanctuary. Above each porch is a lintel of various designs.

Main Prang (ปรางค์ประธาน) is on an open area in a curved walkway. It is the centre of the site. It is made entirely of white sandstone that is different than the porches and the walls that are made primarily of red sandstone. This is because white sandstone is more durable than red sandstone. The pagoda is 28 metres high, has a square base and a portico and stairways and doors in all 4 directions.

The pagoda consists of the base, outer walls, columns, and porches. All have beautiful designs. Of vital importance are the lintels that mostly recount the tale of Ramayana from Hinduism and tales of the Mahayana sect of Buddhism. Usually the lintel of the inner room of the pagoda, considered the most important room of the pagoda, would be more important than other lintels on the pagoda. The lintels above the 4 doorways of the main pagoda are all about Buddhism that reflects the influence that Buddhism eventually took over Hinduism. The carvings are of the Baphoun style (1007-1107) and the Angkor Wat style (1107-1157). Therefore, it is believed that the main pagoda was built at the end of the 17th Buddhist century.

There are other pagodas, which are Prang Brahmadat (ปรางค์พรหมทัต) in front of the main pagoda, Prang Hin Daeng (ปรางค์หินแดง) and Ho Phram (Brahma Hall) to the right.

The park is open daily during 7.30 am.-6 pm. The admission is 40 baht. For information, call tel. 0 4447 1568

Historical Sites Outside Phimai Sanctuary

Phimai City Gate and City Walls (ประตูเมืองและกำ��พงเมืองพิมาย) were built in the reign of King Chaiworaman VII. Of the 4 gates, the south gate is the most important because the road from the ancient Khmer capital to Phimai runs through it. If you look straight through the gate, you will see the sanctuary.

Meru Bhramathat (เมรุพรหมทัต) is southeast of the walls. It is made of bricks. Its present form is a huge and round earth hill that is about 30 metres high. The site is believed to have been the place where a king was cremated. However, the style of construction suggests it was built in the late Ayutthaya period. Other sites to the south are Tha Nang Sa Phom, Kuti Rusi and Arokhayasan.

Sai Ngam (ไทรงาม) is on the bank of the Mun River near Phimai Dam. Cross Tha Songkran Bridge into the town and take a branch road to the dam for 2 kilometres. The place is so named because of the abundance of banyan trees here, all originating from a single tree, which is about 350 years now. The tree gave birth to many smaller ones covering the entire area. Nearby are souvenir shops and several restaurants. The most popular dish for tourists is Phimai noodles.

Eat

Amphoe Phi Mai

Baitoei (ใบเตย) Chomsuda Sadej Road, Tel: 0 4447 1725
Rimmoon (ริมมูล) Chompuong, Tel: 0 4447 1692, 0 4447 1232
Krow Ku Pom (ครัวครูป้อม) 276 Mu 2 Tambon Naimuang Tel. 0 4428 5304
Tew Pai (ทิวไผ่) 139/1 Phimai – Taladkea , Tel. 08 1878 1466

Sleep

Amphoe Phimai

Phimai Hotel (พิมายโฮเต็ล) 305/1-2 Haruthairom (Tel: 0 4447 1306, 0 4447 1940), 41 rooms: 160-400 baht
Phimai Inn (พิมายอินน์) 33/1 By Pass Road (Tel: 0 4447 1175, 0 4447 1602), 39 rooms: 200-500 baht
Phimai Paradise ( พิมายพาราไดซ์) 100 Mu 2 Samairuchi Road. (Tel: 0 4428 7565), 42 rooms: 400-500 baht
The Old Phimai Guest House (ดิโอลพิมาย เกสต์เฮาส์) 214 Chomsuda Sadet Road (Tel: 0 4447 1918), 7 rooms: 180 baht

--(WT-en) globe-trotter 10:13, 7 February 2010 (EST)

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