History of Phimai Historical Park
Goodmorning ladies and gentlemen, please allow me to introduce myself my name’s Krisadaporn Suanmorn but you may called me Gopgap. Today I’ll talk about history of Phimai Historical Park.
The Phimai historical park protects one of the most important Khmer temples of Thailand. It is located in the town of Phimai, Nakhon Ratchasima province and is about 60 kilometers north from Phimai, the Capital. Surrounded by a moat adjacent to the Mun River on the east and north boundaries. Phimai is the largest Khmer ruins complex in Thailand
Within the Park is the Phimai Sanctuary, the largest and one of the most important Khmer historical sites in Thailand. 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 referred to a religious figure or site.
The Phimai Sanctuary is rectangular in shape and is 565 meters wide and 1,030 meters long. It consists of ornately carved sandstone and laterite structures. The most special characteristic of the sanctuary is that it is the only one that faces south while the others usually face east. This is probably because it was built to face the route that the Khmers traveled from the capital of the empire, to the south of Phimai.
Phimai, which is officially named Prasat Hin Phimai was built during the 11th and 12th century, during which time the area was part of the Khmer empire. It was constructed on the end of the ancient highway connecting it with Angkor (present daySiemReap),with other Khmer temples like MuangTum and PhanomRung inbetween.
From stone inscriptions and the architectural style, the Phimai Sanctuary was most likely built at the end of the 11th century during the reign of King Suriyaworaman I. The architectural style is that of the Baphuon style that prospered at the time. However, some characteristics are similar to that of Angkor Wat, which became popular at a later period. Some additions were made to the site in the early 18th Buddhist century during 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.