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Travel Nakhon Ratchasima: Phimai Stone Castle Travel Information
Phimai Stone Castle Travel Information http://www.hotsia.com > Travel Nakhon Ratchasima > Phimai Stone Castle Travel Information I am one of those who get dizzy reading history. Visiting ancient sites without knowing the history is like just looking at stones. It’s hard to imagine when traveling. Let's do this: I’ll summarize it in a way I understand. Just know it as a traveler, no need to know too much. We are not historians; we are ordinary travelers. Travel with passion, keep exploring.
Phimai Stone Castle is over a hundred years older than Angkor Wat. Most castles were built on mountains, which often have unique shapes, such as Wat Phu Champasak Castle, Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia, and My Son Sanctuary in Hoi An. All are World Heritage Sites attracting tourists worldwide. Phimai Stone Castle is one of the Thai people's pride. It is about 300 kilometers from Angkor Wat, roughly the same distance as to Wat Phu Champasak Castle, and 600 kilometers from My Son Sanctuary in Hoi An.
Every castle has overlapping history. The construction style is similar. The effort to build it requires great faith to succeed. Just transporting the stones for Phimai Stone Castle from Pak Chong, which is several tens of kilometers away, is extraordinary. This brief history is enough for traveling. If anyone wants to use the history for reports or learn more, I have included Wikipedia links below. Travel with passion, mr.hotsia, April 2012.
Phimai Historical Park is one of Thailand's historical parks, located in Phimai District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. It consists of grand and beautiful Khmer-era ruins. Phimai city was built following Khmer art patterns, shaped as a square fortress. The name Phimai likely comes from the word 'Vimai' or as inscribed in Khmer script on the stone slab at the front gallery door frame of the castle.
Based on inscriptions and artistic evidence, Phimai Stone Castle likely began construction during the reign of King Suryavarman I around the 16th Buddhist century as a Hindu Brahman temple. The art style is Baphuon mixed with Angkor Wat style, indicating the castle was later adapted as a Buddhist religious site during King Jayavarman VII's reign when Khmer cultural influence began to decline after his era.
With the establishment of the Sukhothai Kingdom later, Phimai city probably lost its importance and eventually disappeared, as there is no evidence of Phimai city during the Sukhothai period. In 1936, the Fine Arts Department registered Phimai Stone Castle as an ancient monument and established Phimai Historical Park on April 12, 1989. Restoration took 13 years in cooperation with the Fine Arts Department and France from 1976 to 1989. Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presided over the park's opening ceremony.
The historical park is located on the east side of the Mun River, covering 115 rai (about 46 acres), planned in a rectangular shape, 565 meters wide and 1,030 meters long. A special feature of Phimai Stone Castle is that it faces south, unlike other stone castles which usually face east.
It is assumed this orientation aligns with the route from Yasodharapura, the Khmer capital at that time, which approached Phimai city from the south. Phimai Stone Castle clip: Chatting with Phimai locals about Phimai Stone Castle. GPS coordinates (POI): 15°13'8.778"N, 102°29'41.513"E. Phimai Historical Park entrance ticket - foreigners pay much more. GPS coordinates (POI): 15°13'8.784"N, 102°29'38.286"E. Some people bring incense to pay respects. GPS coordinates (POI): 15°13'12.197"N, 102°29'38.952"E.
GPS coordinates (POI): 15°13'15.21"N, 102°29'37.667"E. mr.hotsia at Phimai Stone Castle. GPS coordinates (POI): 15°13'15.096"N, 102°29'38.279"E. Travel with passion at Phimai Stone Castle. GPS coordinates (POI): 15°13'16.002"N, 102°29'36.81"E. GPS coordinates (POI): 15°13'13.128"N, 102°29'38.945"E. Travel to Phimai Stone Castle. GPS coordinates (POI): 15°15'16.523"N, 102°24'43.637"E. Phimai Paradise Apartment map. GPS coordinates (POI): 15°13'8.778"N, 102°29'41.513"E.
GPS coordinates: 15°13'8.334"N, 102°29'38.567"E; 15°13'8.784"N, 102°29'38.286"E; 15°13'9.546"N, 102°29'39.605"E; 15°13'11.981"N, 102°29'39.071"E; 15°13'12.197"N, 102°29'38.952"E; 15°13'15.21"N, 102°29'37.667"E; 15°13'16.157"N, 102°29'37.44"E; 15°13'15.096"N, 102°29'38.279"E; 15°13'14.994"N, 102°29'37.98"E; 15°13'15.995"N, 102°29'36.51"E; 15°13'15.936"N, 102°29'36.276"E. Phimai Stone Castle travel GPS: 15°13'16.002"N, 102°29'36.81"E.
GPS coordinates: 15°13'14.82"N, 102°29'37.319"E; 15°13'14.364"N, 102°29'38.315"E. Other trips of mine in Korat: Khao Yai, Wang Nam Khiao, Palio Pak Chong, Khao Yai, Korat-style stir-fried noodles, Phimai-style stir-fried noodles.
