Phimai National Museum was established in 1964 as an
open air museum. Most of the artefacts on exhibit come
from the excavation and restoration of archaeological sites
in the lower part of the northeastern Thailand including
Nakhon Ratchasima, Chaiyaphum, Buriram, Surin and
Si Sa Ket. In 1989, the Department of Fine Arts upgraded
the Phimai National Museum to meet accepted standards
of a national museum and work was completed in 1993.
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn
officially opened the Phimai National Museum on the 9th
August 1993.
Exhibitions :
Part 1 : Second Floor Exhibition. This exhibition shows the
development of communities in the lower part of northeast
Thailand from prehistoric to recent periods.
Part 2 : Ground Floor Exhibition. This exhibition shows the
archaeology and history of Phimai town. It includes the town
environment, the construction of Prasat Phimai during the
11th to 13th centuries, and evidence of the flourishing
religion, culture and economy of that time.
Part 3 : Outdoor Exhibition. This displays sandstone objects
used in the construction of Khmer temples such as Prasat
Phimai. These includes lintels, door columns, motifs, lotus
bud-shapes crowns (the apex of the tower) and miniature
towers.