Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
arman VII sitting cross-legged and looking very much like a sitting Buddha. The original
is in the Phimai National Museum.
Knowledgeable local students sometimes act as guides, but few speak English. Luckily,
a free brochure provides a good overview of the complex.
Phimai National Museum
MUSEUM
(Th Tha Songkhran; admission 100B; 9am-4pm Wed-Sun)
Situated on the banks of Sa Kwan, a 12th-
century Khmer reservoir, this museum houses a fine collection of Khmer sculptures from
Prasat Phimai, including many exquisite lintels, and other ruins around Lower Isan.
There's also some distinctive black Phimai pottery (500 BC-AD 500) and even older
ceramics from nearby Ban Prasat. At the time of writing, this museum was closed for
renovations and wasn't due to reopen until April 2016.
Sai Ngam
( dawn-dusk)
A bit east of town is Thailand's largest and oldest banyan tree, a 350-plus-
year-old megaflorum spread over an island. The extensive system of interlocking branches
and gnarled trunks makes the 'Beautiful Banyon' look like a small forest.
PARK
Other Historic Sites
back to the late Ayuthaya period (18th century). Its name is derived from a folk tale that
refers to it as the cremation site of King Bhramathat.
that served the road to Angkor, is the most intact. The mounded dirt ridge alongside it
shows what the ramparts formerly surrounding the entire city looked like. These city walls
went up in the 13th century, as did what's now known as
Kuti Rusi
(Hermit's Quarters; dawn-
dusk)
, a healing station built by Jayavarman VII, and
Tha Nang Sa Phom
( dawn-dusk)
, a laterite landing platform on the grounds of the Fine Arts Department compound;
turn right immediately after entering the gate.
Festivals & Events
Staged in mid-November, the
Phimai Festival
celebrates the town's history, with cultural per-
formances, sound-and-light shows (tickets 200B to 600B) and long-boat races.
